What twist rate does .50-70 Government use?

.50-70 Government typically uses a 1:42 twist rate.

What bullet diameter is .50-70 Government?

.50-70 Government uses a 0.515″ (13.08 mm) diameter bullet.

Is .50-70 Government still in production?

.50-70 Government is active; typical availability is common.

What is .50-70 Government used for?

.50-70 Government is primarily used for military (historical).

What are the best powders for .50-70 Government?

Reloading powders commonly listed for .50-70 Government include IMR 3031.

Rifle · SAAMI

.50-70 Government

.50-70.50 Government

America's first standard metallic cartridge for military rifles.

Caliber: 0.515″ · 13.08 mm
Introduced: 1866
Case: Rimmed
Primary use: Military (Historical)
Status: Active

Velocity1,200–1,350 fps

Energy1,440–1,820 ft·lb

Typical grains450 gr

Identity

Introduced: 1866
Type: Rifle
Origin: United States
Inventor: U.S. Army Ordnance
Manufacturer: U.S. Military / Springfield Armory
Standard: SAAMI
Status: Active
Availability: Common

Build

Case capacity: 115 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:42
Primer: Large Rifle
Case type: Rimmed

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 22,000 psi
Eff. range: 400 yd
Max range: 1000 yd
Recoil: 18–28 ft·lb

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd

Open in Ballistic Compare ↗

Parent case: —

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Performance

Best for HuntingOld Western Scrounger OWS Heritage450 gr · Lead FP · 1,250 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .50-70 Government ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · approximate

Measure	mm	in	✓
Bullet ⌀	13.08	0.515	✓
Neck ⌀	13.73	0.541	✓
Shoulder ⌀	n/a
Shoulder angle	n/a
Base ⌀	14.48	0.570	✓
Rim ⌀	16.92	0.666	✓
Belt ⌀	n/a
Rim thickness	1.78	0.070	~
Neck length	n/a
Case length	45.01	1.772	~
Overall length	57.15	2.250	✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .50-70 Government is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 6 active loads across 6 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Ultramax	Lead FP	450	Lead FP	1,260	1,586	—
Ten-X Ammunition	Lead FP	450	Lead FP	1,260	1,586	—
Black Hills	Lead FP Cowboy	450	Lead FP	1,260	1,586	—
Old Western Scrounger	OWS Heritage	450	Lead FP	1,250	1,561	—
Graf & Sons	Graf Heritage	450	Lead FP	1,250	1,561	—
Buffalo Arms	Buffalo BPCR	450	Lead FP	1,250	1,561	—
Doubletap	Hardcast	450	Lead Round Nose	1,260	1,586	—
Bertram	Custom	450	Lead Round Nose	1,260	1,586	—
U.S. Cartridge Co.	Lead FP Military	450	Lead FP	1,260	1,586	—
UMC	Lead FP Service	450	Lead FP	1,260	1,586	—
Winchester	SP	450	Lead FP	1,260	1,586	—
Remington	Lead SP	450	Lead SP	1,260	1,586	—
HSM Ammunition	Cowboy	450	Lead Round Nose	1,260	1,586	—
Hirtenberger	Standard	450	Lead Round Nose	1,260	1,586	—
Jamison	Custom	450	Lead Round Nose	1,260	1,586	—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

1 reloading powder listed for .50-70 Government, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

IMR 3031

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lbCharge (gr)Bullet $/eaPrimer $/eaBrass reusesBrass $/ea

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .50-70 Government

12 models in the database chamber .50-70 Government. Browse all →

Ballard Rifle Company Pacific Model 45-70 30-inchDavide Pedersoli Sharps Old West 45-70 27.5-inchDavide Pedersoli Remington Rolling Block 45-70 26-inchDavide Pedersoli Davide Pedersoli Kodiak Express .45-70 24-inchDavide Pedersoli Sharps 1874 Sporting .45-70 Gov 32-inchNavy Arms Rolling Block No.2 Sporting .45-70 GovtBaker Firearms Baker Model 1886 .50 calBallard Rifle Company Ballard No. 5 PacificSharps Rifle Manufacturing Sharps Model 1874 .45-70 Govt 28-inchSharps Rifle Manufacturing Sharps Model 1874 .45-90 28-inchSharps Rifle Manufacturing Company Sharps Model 1874 Sporting 45-70Remington Model 1871 Rolling Block

Connected reference

Loads20 factory loads for .50-70 Government↗Reloading1 suitable powder — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .50-70 Government↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Adopted in 1866 to rapidly convert the Army's enormous supply of Springfield muzzle-loaders using Erskine Allin's 'trapdoor' conversion. Served through the Indian Wars era until replaced by the .45-70 in 1873. The concept of converting existing stocks rather than buying new rifles was driven by post-Civil War austerity.

FAQs

What twist rate does .50-70 Government use?: .50-70 Government typically uses a 1:42 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .50-70 Government?: .50-70 Government uses a 0.515″ (13.08 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .50-70 Government still in production?: .50-70 Government is active; typical availability is common.
What is .50-70 Government used for?: .50-70 Government is primarily used for military (historical).
What are the best powders for .50-70 Government?: Reloading powders commonly listed for .50-70 Government include IMR 3031.

Sources & provenance

StandardC.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 6 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →