The 45-70 Round: A Timeless Legend in Modern Ammunition

The 45-70 Round: A Timeless Legend in Modern Ammunition

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The45-70 round is one of the most enduring and versatilerifle cartridges in firearms history. Originally developed in 1873 for theU.S. Army's standard-issue long gun, thislarge-caliber round has evolved from a blackpowder military staple into amodern hunting powerhouse. Today,this classic round is prized for itsdevastating stopping power on large game, includingelk.

Performance and Ballistics

What makes the.45-70 45-70 round cartridge unique is itsrange of power from mild to wild. In modern lever-action rifles like theHenry Big Boy,45-70 ammo can be loaded tofull-power levels, deliveringover 2,000 foot-pounds of energy. Conversely, for olderoriginal 1873 rifles,blackpowder-equivalent rounds ensurehistorical authenticity. Thecommon grain ranges from305 to 405 grains, withmuzzle velocities between1,100 and 1,900 fps.

Hunting and Practical Use

For themodern hunter,the 45-70 round excels inthick timber. Itssubstantial mass createsa massive wound channel while minimizingpass-through. Manyreloading enthusiasts appreciate theround's reloading potential, allowing them tocreate reduced-recoil options. Additionally,hollow-point variants like theHornady FTX offerings provideexceptional expansion at various distances.

Availability and Considerations

While45-70 ammo is not asubiquitous as pistol calibers, it remainswidely available from major manufacturers likeRemington. Prices fora 50-count pack typically range from$30 to $60 per box. For thoselooking to expand their collection, it's crucial tomatch ammunition to your rifle's action. Whether used fortarget shooting, the.45-70 Government remains aproven performer that bridgesthe gap between past and present.

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