.45-70 Government

About .45-70 Government

.45-70 dates to 1873 and has enjoyed a genuine revival, largely as a guide gun and bear-defence cartridge. It throws very heavy large-diameter bullets at modest velocity, which produces deep penetration on big animals at the short ranges where lever guns are actually used.

Ammunition is loaded in three distinct pressure tiers and this is not a detail — it is the most important thing to understand before buying any. Trapdoor-level loads are safe in original 1873-pattern rifles. Lever-action loads suit modern Marlins and Henrys. Ruger No. 1 and modern bolt-action loads are far hotter and are dangerous in the weaker actions. Match the ammunition tier to your specific rifle, every time.