The .45-70 Government is a centerfire rifle cartridge originally introduced in the late 19th century and remains in use today for target shooting, recreational range activities, and lawful sporting use where permitted by local regulations. The cartridge name reflects its historical origins: “.45” refers to the approximate bullet diameter, and “70” originally referred to the historical black-powder charge designation.
When people refer to “.45-70 Government bullets,” they often mean the projectile itself, although a complete cartridge also includes the case, primer, and propellant.
Commercial .45-70 ammunition is available in a range of bullet weights and projectile styles, including:
Lighter bullet weights (approximately 250–325 grain): Available in selected commercial loads.
Mid-weight bullets (approximately 350–405 grain): Common across traditional offerings.
Heavier bullet options (above 405 grain): Produced for applications requiring different ballistic characteristics.
Common projectile types include:
Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): Used in some general range applications.
Soft Point (SP): Offered in multiple sporting configurations.
Hollow Point (HP): Available in selected commercial loads.
Specialized modern projectile designs: Produced by different manufacturers depending on intended use.
Performance characteristics such as velocity, recoil, trajectory, and retained energy can vary substantially depending on bullet weight, barrel length, ammunition loading, and firearm configuration.
Because .45-70 Government ammunition is produced in different pressure and performance ranges depending on firearm compatibility, users should always verify firearm chamber markings, manufacturer guidance, and applicable local laws, and follow safe handling and secure storage practices.
