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 rifle cartridge, also known as .45-70 Government, was developed at the U.S. Army's Springfield Armory for use in the Springfield Model 1873.
  The cartridge is completely identified as the .45-70-405, but was also commonly called the ".45 Government" cartridge in commercial catalogs.
 The nomenclature of the time was based on several properties of the cartridge: .45 caliber bullet diameter, 70 grains of black powder and 405 grains bullet weight.

 After the .45-70 Sandy Hook tests of 1879, a new variation of the .45-70 cartridge was produced, the .45-70-500, which fired a heavier 500 grain bullet. The heavier 500 grain bullet produced significantly superior ballistics.

 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 130 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 like the Sharps Model 1874, where 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", 1:20" & 1:22".
 Note: 1:18" twist rate, 500 grain bullets. 1:20" twist rate, 400 grain bullets.
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 Rifles:
New .45-70 Government Rifles Here.
 Sponsor - Impact Guns.

45-70 Government Rifle Ammunition:
45-70 Government Ammunition, Sale.
 Sponsor - Cabela's.

.45-70 Government Trajectory and Energy Charts:
This is a down range bullet trajectory chart for the 45-70 Government cartridge with the scope mounted 1.5 inches above the bore center line. Bullet diameter .458". Bullet weight 300 grains. Bullet ballistic coeffecient .203. Bullet muzzle velocity 2,200 feet per second. Bullet muzzle energy 3,224 foot pounds.
Range	25 yds.	50 yds.	75 yds.	100 yds.	150 yds.	200 yds.	300 yds.
Bullet Drop	0"	+ 1.0"	+ 1.5"	+ 1.4"	- 0.9"	- 6.3"	- 29.8"
This is a down range bullet energy chart for the above 45-70 Government cartridge and its effective energy range for the following game animals. Deer Size Game: such as Antelope, Black Bear, Black-Tailed Deer, Hogs, Javelina, Mule Deer and White-Tailed Deer. Elk Size Game: such as Caribou, Elk< and Sheep. Moose Size Game: such as Brown Bear, Grizzly Bear and Moose.
Range	25 yds.	50 yds.	75 yds.	100 yds.	150 yds.	200 yds.	300 yds.
Bullet Energy	2,943	2,681	2,438	2,214	1,818	1,488	1,013
Deer	+	+	+	+	+	+	-
Elk	+	+	+	+	+	-	-
Moose	+	+	+	+	-	-	-
The .45-70 Government Is An Excellent Big Bore Cartridge For All Of North America Hunting!