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45-70 Ammo For Sale

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Known for its use in Trapdoor rifles, the .45-70 is an excellent choice for hunting any North American game. It is popular among reenactors and long-range target shooters who enjoy the challenge of using black powder cartridges for their sport. Learn More

History of 45-70 Ammo

Known by several names – including .45-70 Government, .45 Government, and .45-70-45 – the .45-70 was developed by the U.S. government and is one of their greatest cartridges. Even today, the cartridge retains the respect of hunters and shooting enthusiasts, and is one of the very few cartridges that has continued to thrive after being converted from using black powder to smokeless powder. The .45-70 was developed at the historic Springfield Armory in Massachusetts as a short-term replacement for the .50-70, which had been adopted just over a decade before.

In 1873, the .45-70 was adopted for use in the 1873 Springfield trapdoor action rifle, after which it was improved in several important ways. Seven years after its introduction, the cartridge was effective against point targets out to a range of 300 yards, and had the capability of area effect fire out to 600 yards.

The .45-70 was used in military service until being phased out soon after the Spanish-American War. This marked the real beginning for the .45-70, as civilian big-game hunters flocked to the cartridge. The heavy 405 grain FP bullet left the barrel travelling at 1,330 feet per second with a muzzle energy of nearly 1,600 foot pounds – easily harvesting bear, moose and bison at ranges inside 200 yards. The sheer power of the 45-70 has made it popular with hunting guides in Alaska who venture into bear country loaded with Trophy Bonded Bear Claw Federal 45-70 ammo in their lightweight lever-action rifles. Reloaders appreciate this cartridge for the ability to accept bullets weighing between 300 and 500 grains for a broad spectrum of uses. Some shooters have even used the .45-70 to take animals of the African "Big Five." Ammunition manufacturers today continue to produce this great cartridge, with Hornady offering their FTX bullet in this caliber, and several others offering ammo from their specialty JHP lines to hunters.

Today, Thompson Center Arms and Marlin manufacture single shot rifles and lever action rifles chambered in .45-70, as do several others. This cartridge is also chambered in what may safely be called the ultimate handgun – the Biggest Finest Revolver from Magnum Research is sold in .45-70. The cylinder has five shots and allows the hunter to experience the challenge of vintage cartridge handgun hunting, yet still have the ability to take quick follow-up shots if necessary.

The .45-70 became an important cartridge in the world of firearms when first introduced, and to this day it remains a great hunting cartridge for even the most dangerous game.

45-70 Ballistics: Chart of Average 45-70 Ballistics

Note: This information comes from the manufacturer and is for informational purposes only. The actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from the advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load.

45-70 Bullet WEIGHT Muzzle VELOCITY (fps) Muzzle ENERGY (ft. lbs.) TRAJECTORY (in.)
  Muzzle 100 yds. 200 yds. 300 yds. 400 yds. Muzzle 100 yds. 200 yds. 300 yds. 400 yds. 100 yds. 200 yds. 300 yds. 400 yds.
250 Grain 2025 1616 1285 1068 n/a 2276 1449 917 634 n/a 6.1 0 -27.2 n/a
300 Grain 1810 1497 1244 1073 969 2182 1492 1031 767 625 0 -14.8 0 0
300 Grain Supreme 1880 1558 1292 1103 988 2355 1616 1112 811 651 0 -12.9 -46 -105
325 Grain 2000 1685 1413 1197 n/a 2886 2049 1441 1035 n/a 5.5 0 -23 n/a
325 Grain Lever Evolution 2050 1729 1450 1225 n/a 3032 2158 1516 1083 n/a 3 -4.1 -27.8 n/a
405 Grain 1330 1168 1055 977 918 1590 1227 1001 858 758 0 -24.6 0 0
405 Grain PMC Cowboy 1550 1193 n/a n/a n/a 1639 1280 n/a n/a n/a 0 -23.9 0 0
Molly Carter
Written by
Molly Carter

Customer Reviews

  • Coonhunter said:

    Love it

  • BPM said:

    Love my 45/70 for accuracy and knockdown power.

  • Big Poppa said:

    A super accurate round. And it is a game Slayer. Great ammo for Bullseye Shooting to lots of fun

  • CalvinMD said:

    I use my 300grain HP reloads to 150yds But now with this ammo, which my Marlin 1895 loves to drill sub 3/4” groups with and still holds 3.5” at 300yds and the hold over is barely 8” with my rifles zero set @ 3” high @ 100yds. This load has already allowed me to just poleaxe large hogs out at 300 and dominate my home clubs lever gun silouhette shoots, speaks of phenomenal performance out of the old warhorse. Never go hunting without this ammo and rifle coming along..!! Try some, you’ll love it!!!

  • James said:

    Performed as it should. Great product and good price. Freight was a little pricey. I would definitely buy from them again.

  • Alphapredator322 said:

    I bought this ammo for my Marlin 1895 after purchasing a different brand of ammo initially for my first range session that I was happy with Accuracy wise for the most part but not so much with the power of the rounds. Well i can tell you that these Prvi rounds performed well across the board, accuracy, quality and big power, which is what I wanted in the rounds I'd be using for this rifle both at the range and in the woods. I try to practice with the same or similar rounds I'd be using when hunting or for self defense. train how you fight is what I was taught. buy these rounds and you wont be disappointed.