Best .45-70 Ammo: Matching Loads to Your Rifle

.45-70 Government comes in several pressure levels for very different rifles. Here's how to choose ammo that's safe and effective in yours.

.45-70 Government has been in service since 1873. Today it's mostly shot in modern lever-action rifles and strong single shots for hunting large game at moderate range. Because it's been chambered in rifles of very different strength over 150 years, ammo is loaded to different pressure levels. Matching the load to your rifle is the most important decision you'll make.

Pressure tiers

Lever guns and bullet shape

Most lever-action .45-70s have tubular magazines. In a tube, each bullet rests against the primer of the round ahead, so flat-nose or soft-tipped bullets are the standard choice. Ammo marketed for lever guns accounts for this. Our Henry lever-action ammo guide covers the same principle across calibers.

Hunting picks

For deer and larger game at moderate range, choose a bullet designed for the animal and check your state's rules. Heavier bullets penetrate deeply but drop quickly; zero with your exact hunting load and know your holdover at the distances you'll shoot. .45-70 is traditionally a woods and brush cartridge rather than a long-range one.

Practice

.45-70 recoil is stout, and ammo is relatively expensive. Practice in shorter sessions with standard loads for handling and cycling, then finish with a few rounds of your hunting load. A good recoil pad helps prevent a flinch. Keep a count of rounds through your rifle so you know when to service it.

Storage and labeling

If you own both trapdoor-safe and heavier loads, store them in separate, clearly labeled boxes, and never keep heavy loads near an older rifle. Store ammo cool, dry, and at a stable temperature. More in our storage guide and our dangerous ammo swaps rundown.

Bottom line

Single shots and strong actions

Strong single-shot rifles and some modern actions can handle heavier .45-70 loads, which gives hunters more power for large game. But strength varies by model, and only the rifle's maker can tell you what's safe. Read the manual, confirm with the maker if unsure, and keep heavy loads away from any rifle not rated for them. Heavier loads also mean heavier recoil, so practice enough to shoot them accurately.

If you inherit an older .45-70 or buy one used, have a qualified gunsmith inspect it before firing, and identify the exact model. Many older actions are only safe with trapdoor-level loads, and some antiques shouldn't be fired at all. When in doubt, choose the lowest-pressure load and verify with the maker or a gunsmith before trying anything heavier.

On availability: .45-70 isn't produced in the volume of common rifle calibers, so specific loads can be scarce. When you find a load that's right for your rifle and shoots well, buy enough for practice and a season of hunting so you aren't forced into an unfamiliar load at the last minute.

Keep in mind that .45-70 recoil climbs quickly with heavier loads. A lighter load you shoot accurately is more useful in the field than a heavy load that makes you flinch, so choose the lightest load that meets your hunting needs and your state's requirements.

Start with your rifle's manual. If it's a modern lever gun, standard and lever-rated loads with flat-nose bullets are the usual picks. If it's an older or replica rifle, stay with trapdoor-safe loads. Test for accuracy, zero with your hunting load, and label everything.

Keep reading

FAQ