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Lindcott Armory

Rifle · SAAMI

.50-70 Government

Also known as .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

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VelocityBeing verified
EnergyBeing verified
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

Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .50-70 Government.

Performance

Best for Withheld until verified
Best for Withheld until verified
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
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀ 13.080.515 ✓
Neck ⌀ 13.730.541 ✓
Shoulder ⌀ n/a
Shoulder angle n/a
Base ⌀ 14.480.570 ✓
Rim ⌀ 16.920.666 ✓
Belt ⌀ n/a
Rim thickness 1.780.070 ~
Neck length n/a
Case length 45.011.772 ~
Overall length 57.152.250 ✓

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

Verification

Being verified

Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.

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.

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 →

Davide 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-inchNavy Arms Shiloh Sharps 45-70 30-inchDavide Pedersoli Sharps 1874 Sporting .45-70 Gov 32-inchNavy Arms Rolling Block No.2 Sporting .45-70 GovtSharps Rifle Sharps 1874 .45-70 Govt 30-inchSharps Rifle Manufacturing Sharps Model 1874 .45-70 Govt 28-inchSharps Rifle Manufacturing Company Sharps Model 1874 Sporting 45-70Remington Rolling Block 1867 .50-70 GovtRemington Remington Rolling Block No.1 .45-70 Govt 28-inchSpringfield Armory Model 1866 Trapdoor Springfield

Connected reference

Reloading1 suitable powder — cross-referenceFirearmsFirearms in .50-70 Government

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

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 →