.45-70 Government
The .45-70 and the
.44-40 are
the oldest centerfire cartridges still being loaded by U.S. ammunition
manufacturers and the .45-70 is the oldest centerfire cartridge still being
chambered in modern rifles. Five factory loads are available from Winchester,
Remington, and Federal, and the rifles in this caliber are available from
Marlin and Ruger.
After serving duty as the official U.S. military cartridge from 1873 until
1892, the .45-70 went on to become quite popular among big game hunters.
The grand old cartridge might have faded away when Winchester discontinued
the Model 1886 lever action in 1935 had Marlin not revived it in the early
1970's by offering it in a variation of the Model 336 called Model 1895.
Due to its availability over the years in rifles of various designs, the
safest rule of thumb handloaders should keep in mind is this; Old rifles
need light to moderate loads, and heavier loads should only be used in rifles
made since World War II.
When loaded with the right bullet, the .45-70 in a modern rifle is perfectly
capable of taking any North American game at woods ranges. The 300 and 400
grain flat nose bullets made by
Hornady,
Sierra, and Speer are excellent
choices for deer size game. For elk, moose and bear, 350 grain bullets available
from Hornady and
Barnes, and the Speer 400 grain
flatnose are the right medicine. The .45-70 responds favorably to a variety
of powders, including
H322, H4198,
IMR-3031, and
Reloader-7.
Source: Hodgdon Data Manual, 26th Edition
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