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45-70 ammo was introduced by the U.S. government (hence, the .45-70 Government nomenclature) in 1873. For two decades, they used this rifle ammo to chamber an assortment of military weaponry, including rifles and Gatling guns. Today, .45 70 ammo maintains popularity among lever-action rifle shooters and fans of firearm history. While it goes by lots of names, .45-70 ammo is the go-to for Western rifles and lever actions because it is featured extensively in history and movies and packs a solid punch.
45 70 govt was one of the first centerfire cartridges in the industry, and it gained the attention of hunters in the United States after its proclaimed success in the army. A 45 70 round packs the power and penetration you need for taking down deer and other big game at least 150 yards out, which is plenty of distance for most sportsmen. 45-70 ammo is available for many short-barreled lever-action rifles, which are easy to carry and quick to fire.
It's important to note that .45-70 ammo comes in a variety of loads and bullet types, and it is dangerous to shoot higher pressure ammo (sometimes labeled as +P) from an older lever-action rifle. Always check ahead of time to make sure your rifle is compatible with higher-power loads. That being said, manufacturers like Federal Premium have 45 70 bullets designed to take down bears. The only issue is that you will need to be about 100-feet away max to stop a grizzly bear. This is extremely close to a dangerous predator, so many people opt to use a rifle caliber that is effective at longer ranges, especially for hunting. If you want a round with more range that can stop a grizzly, you may want to check out more modern rounds like 300 Win Mag.
By size alone, .45-70 Government ammo has a much larger bullet than .300 Win Mag. However, this isn't the sole determining factor of power. When it comes to 300 Win Mag vs 45 70 rounds, you need to figure in bullet grain to fairly decide the more powerful cartridge. 180gr bullets are one of the most popular for 300 Win Mag ammo, while 300gr bullets are the preference for 45 70 rounds. On average, 300 Win Mag 180gr rounds have a muzzle velocity of 3,000fps and have enough stopping power to take down an elk at least 600 yards out. 45-70 300gr rounds have a muzzle velocity of around 2,350fps and pack enough power to guarantee takedowns at about 150 yards. Both cartridges are equally effective at shorter ranges, but you should go with 300 Win Mag if you want to effectively shoot from longer distances.
Some people believe that 45 70 ammo is overkill for deer and makes a lot of the meat inedible. However, in its effective range of 100-150 yards, 45-70 ammo won't ruin as much meat on a whitetail as a 300 Win Mag round would. You want a powerful cartridge to ethically take down a deer, and 45 70 govt provides plenty of stopping power that certainly isn't overkill in most situations.
Shop online for 45-70 rounds and bulk 45 70 ammo at OpticsPlanet for all of your hunting and ammunition needs. Make sure to check out our Ammunition How-to Guides to learn more about calibers, bullet types, and how to buy ammo online.
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Eligible models will have a savings offer and the coupon code to use below. Add the item to your cart and enter the coupon for savings on that select model! Limited time only. Cannot be combined with other promotions or offers. See promotion details.
Eligible models will have a savings offer and the coupon code to use below. Add the item to your cart and enter the coupon for savings on that select model! Limited time only. Cannot be combined with other promotions or offers. See promotion details.
Eligible models will have a savings offer and the coupon code to use below. Add the item to your cart and enter the coupon for savings on that select model! Limited time only. Cannot be combined with other promotions or offers. See promotion details.
Eligible models will have a savings offer and the coupon code to use below. Add the item to your cart and enter the coupon for savings on that select model! Limited time only. Cannot be combined with other promotions or offers. See promotion details.
Get a 20% rebate when this product is purchased by November 30th, 2025 and the rebate form is postmarked by December 31st, 2025. Download the rebate form or see details
Eligible models will have a savings offer and the coupon code to use below. Add the item to your cart and enter the coupon for savings on that select model! Limited time only. Cannot be combined with other promotions or offers. See promotion details.
Get a $7 rebate when this product is purchased by November 30th, 2025 and the rebate form is postmarked by December 16th, 2025. Download the rebate form or see details
Eligible models will have a savings offer and the coupon code to use below. Add the item to your cart and enter the coupon for savings on that select model! Limited time only. Cannot be combined with other promotions or offers. See promotion details.
Our customers have spoken – this is one of the best rated products in the Ammunition category! See more best rated Ammunition products
Get a 20% rebate when this product is purchased by November 30th, 2025 and the rebate form is postmarked by December 31st, 2025. Download the rebate form or see details
Our customers have spoken – this is one of the best rated products in the Ammunition category! See more best rated Ammunition products
Get a 20% rebate when this product is purchased by November 30th, 2025 and the rebate form is postmarked by December 31st, 2025. Download the rebate form or see details
Get a 20% rebate when this product is purchased by November 30th, 2025 and the rebate form is postmarked by December 31st, 2025. Download the rebate form or see details
Get a 20% rebate when this product is purchased by November 30th, 2025 and the rebate form is postmarked by December 31st, 2025. Download the rebate form or see details
Get a 20% rebate when this product is purchased by November 30th, 2025 and the rebate form is postmarked by December 31st, 2025. Download the rebate form or see details
Get a 20% rebate when this product is purchased by November 30th, 2025 and the rebate form is postmarked by December 31st, 2025. Download the rebate form or see details