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, thisbig-bore round has evolved from a blackpowder military staple into aversatile sporting cartridge. Today,the 45-70 Government is prized for itsimpressive energy transfer on large game, includingwild boar.

Performance and Ballistics

What makes the45-70 load unique is itsflexibility across pressure levels. In modern lever-action rifles like theHenry Big Boy,this caliber can be loaded tofull-power levels, deliveringover 2,000 foot-pounds of energy. Conversely, for olderoriginal 1873 rifles,blackpowder-equivalent rounds ensuresafe operation. Thestandard projectile ranges from325 to 450 grains, withexit velocities between1,100 and 1,900 fps.

Hunting and Practical Use

For thebig-game enthusiast,this cartridge excels inthick timber. Itslarge-diameter projectile createsexcellent tissue damage while minimizingrisk to bystanders. Manyreloading enthusiasts appreciate theround's reloading potential, allowing them tocreate reduced-recoil options. Additionally,hollow-point variants like theLehigh Defense offerings provideexceptional expansion at various distances.

Availability and Considerations

Whilethis caliber is not ascommon as 9mm or .223, it remainseasy to find from major manufacturers 45-70 round likeHornady. Prices for45-70 rounds typically range from$1.50 to $3.00 per round. For thosenew to the caliber, it's crucial tomatch ammunition to your rifle's action. Whether used fortarget shooting, the45-70 round remains alegendary cartridge that bridgesthe gap between past and present.

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