45-70 Government History and General Information.  The 45-70 dates back to as early as 1865 but it wasn't standardized until 1873, a U.S. Government contract was issued for several thousand Springfield rifles chambered for the 45-70, it was then called the 45-70 Government cartridge. The 45-70 Government cartridge was so named as it was originally designed to be loaded with black powder and for cartridges of the era that designation is 45 caliber bullet and 70 grains black powder.  The 45-70 Government has been chambered in several different action types but the lever action is by far the most popular, Winchester's own model 1886 45-70 was discontinued in 1935 and had been brought back into production by popular demand years later.  The 45-70 Government cartridge is beyond 120 years since its introduction and sales for this cartridge are now ever growing. Simply put the 45-70 Government is a wonderful big bore cartridge, chambered in a newer lever action or single shot rifle were loads can be worked up to higher pressure levels it is powerful enough for all of north America's big game animals.  The 45-70 Government is a heavy hitter able to handle bullet weights up to 500 grains at speeds up to depending on the rifle used 1,800 feet per second (Ruger #1 Single Shot) is the heaviest built action for this cartridge. The recoil is quite substantial from the 45-70 cartridge.   45-70 Government Barrel Specifications. Common Barrel Twist Rate - 1/18 - 1/22 Bore Groove Diameter - .457" - .458"   45-70 Government Reloading Specifications. Bullet Diameter - .458" Maximum Case Length - 2.105" Trimmed Case Length - 2.100" Primer Size - Large Rifle   45-70 Government Loading Data Hints.  The 45-70 Government responds well to i.m.r. powder 3031 ignited by remington 9 1/2 primers topped with 300 - 400 grain bullets, very accurate in a good rifle, groups not unusual to be less than 1 1/2".  Old 45-70 trap door and very early lever action rifles should be kept to lower pressure levels for safe reloading. 45-70 Government Reloading Data. Hodgdon Reloading Data Center.   45-70 Government Trajectory and Hunting Applications.  This is a down range trajectory chart for the 45-70 Government cartridge with the scope mounted 1.5 inches above the bore center line plus if you were using this load, its effective hunting bullet energy range with well placed shots on, Varmint / Predator size game, such as Bobcat, Cougar, Coyote. Deer size game, such as Antelope, Blacktail, Hogs, Javelina, Mule, Whitetail. Elk size game, such as Caribou, Black Bear, Sheep. Moose size game, such as Brown Bear. Bullet diameter .458" Bullet weight 300 grains Bullet ballistic coeffecient .203 Bullet velocity 2,200 feet per second Range 50 yds. 100 yds. 150 yds. 200 yds. 250 yds. + 0 - 1.4 - 5.6 - 12.9 - 24.2 2680 2215 1825 1485 1207  Deer + + + + + -  Elk + + + - - -  Moose + + - - - - Copyright 2001 - 2010