The history of the .45-70 cartridge goes back to 1873, when it was first chambered in the Trapdoor Springfield. It was the U.S. Army’s go-to round for protecting soldiers and settlers on the frontier.
150+ years later, the history of the .45-70 cartridge is still being written. It’s not a museum piece. Guys are still buying Trapdoors, Marlin 1895s, Henrys, Ruger No. 1s, and modern single shots, then asking the same question: “What the hell do I feed this thing?”
Here’s why the history of the .45-70 cartridge refuses to die.
It’s Extremely Versatile
Straight-wall case. Easy to reload, feeds reliably in tubular magazines, and works with both black powder and modern smokeless. Original Trapdoor loads were mild. Stronger rifles came along and the .45-70 cartridge scaled right up with them.
At Steinel Ammo, we make 23 different .45-70 cartridges, because one size never fits all:
- Trapdoor-safe 405gr RNFP for your antique
- 300gr and 325gr expanding JHPs for deer at real distances
- 250gr high-velocity monolithic for flatter shooting
- 730gr and 777gr subsonic hard-cast monsters for suppressed work or close-range bear insurance
Wide rim, mild taper, low pressure in the right loads, all of it adds up to reliable extraction even when things get dirty or hot. And yes, it will stop a bear. That’s not marketing talk. That’s physics with a 1¾-ounce chunk of lead or copper at the end.
The Cultural Side
It was the right cartridge for the right people at the right time. Frontier America, Indian Wars, westward expansion, the .45-70 cartridge was there.
Reenactors kept it alive. Cowboy Action shooters loved it. American reloaders discovered they could make it do things the factory never dreamed of.
While other old military rounds faded because their home countries didn’t have strong reloading cultures or private gun ownership, the .45-70 cartridge thrived here because Americans never stopped shooting and experimenting with it.
Real-World Proof
We recently tested three of our 300gr Hornady JHP loads from an 18-inch Henry All-Weather:
- Slow (Trapdoor-safe): 1,300 fps – 16″ penetration, 0.9″ mushroom
- Medium (Goldilocks): 1,830 fps – 20″ penetration, 0.75″ expansion
- Hot: 1,950 fps – 26″+ penetration, still expanding well
All three grouped around 1.5 MOA. Recoil was stout on the hot load, but very manageable on the Trapdoor-safe version. That’s the beauty of the .45-70 cartridge; you can tailor it from “pleasant plinker” to “bear stopper” in the same rifle.
Your Legacy Loads Here
You didn’t buy that Trapdoor, Marlin, or Henry to let it sit in the safe. You bought it to shoot it – to hunt with it, to pass it down still ringing steel.
At Steinel Ammo, every .45-70 cartridge we make is built for exactly that purpose: safe, accurate, and effective in the rifle you actually own.
Whether you want Trapdoor-safe, modern lever-gun power, or subsonic suppressed thump, we’ve got you covered.
Shop .45-70 Government Ammo Now
Still not sure what your rifle can handle? Call us (330) 840-7086 and we’ll tell you exactly what to run.
Because your legacy deserves better than a guess.
FAQs
Q1. When was the .45-70 cartridge invented?
The .45-70 Government cartridge was introduced in 1873 for the U.S. Army’s Trapdoor Springfield rifle and remains in use today due to its versatility and adaptability to modern and legacy firearms.
Q2. Does .45-70 kick harder than .30-06?
Yes, .45-70 generally produces significantly more recoil than .30-06, especially in heavier loads, due to its larger bullet weight and higher momentum, particularly in lever-action rifles.
Q3. Can a .45-70 stop a grizzly bear?
Yes, with proper hard-cast or controlled expansion loads, .45-70 has sufficient penetration and energy to stop large game like grizzly bears at close to moderate distances.
Q4. How far can a .45-70 accurately shoot?
Most .45-70 rifles are effectively accurate within 150-300 yards, depending on the load, bullet type, and rifle platform, with heavier bullets typically optimized for closer-range performance.
Q5. What is the best grain bullet for .45-70 for deer hunting?
For deer hunting, 300gr to 325gr controlled expansion bullets are widely considered ideal, offering a balance of manageable recoil, reliable expansion, and effective terminal performance.
