I can’t say much about the .45-70 Government that we haven’t discussed and rediscussed. The history of the cartridge is enough however to keep one coming back for more.
The .45-70, is a straight walled cartridge developed by the US Army at Springfield Armory in 1872. It is a historic, heavy-hitting rifle cartridge known for its .45-caliber, 405-grain bullet, and versatile performance on big game. Modern day 45-70 ammo options offer high energy (over 3,800 ft-lbs) suitable for lever-actions like the Smith & Wesson 1854 and Henry Repeating Arms, featuring deep penetration and significant, yet manageable recoil.
45-70 GOVT: A Hunting Cartridge
While originally designed for shorter ranges, around 200 yards with 1,100-1,400 feet per second (fps) velocity, modern, high-pressure loads and premium ammo such as Hornady LEVERevolution 325 gr FTX allow for flatter trajectories, increased velocity, and excellent accuracy out to 300+ yards with muzzle velocities over 2000 fps. Keep in mind the US Army took Buffalo (weighing up to a ton) with .45-70 ammo much less advanced as compared to modern day offerings in the cartridge.
When chambered in a good lever gun, the .45-70 Gov’t is an ideal hunting cartridge for thick brush or timber. Most rifles in this caliber are short and handy. You can operate them quickly but they pack a punch. Lever actions, being scabbard-friendly, are perfect for horseback hunts, but also ideal for hunting from a blind. In other words, for everything from bear to moose to hogs, pairing a lever gun with the .45-70 cartridge is a great choice.
Test Rifle
The Smith & Wesson Model 1854 hit the market in 2024. It was year 1854 (hence the name), 172 years ago that Smith & Wesson and its first lever-action rifle, the Volcanic Rifle was patented. The S&W 1854 was first introduced in 44 Magnum/Special, and then followed by the classic .45 Colt, and a .357 Magnum/.38 Special chambering. Then in 2025, Smith & Wesson introduced the newest variant not chambered in a revolver caliber but rather in the iconic .45-70 Government.
I topped my Model 1854 with a Leupold Firedot 1-4x scope, a perfect match up for the typical distances expected for a West Texas hog hunt.
45-70 Ammo Tested
Hornady LeverRevolution 250-gr MonoFlex
Flex Tip technology is key to LeveRevolution innovation and performance. The patented elastomer Flex Tip technology of the FTX and MonoFlex bullets is safe to use in tubular magazines. These bullets provide higher ballistic coefficients thereby delivering flatter trajectory for increased down range performance.
An all-around good hunting load for the .45-70. The bonded soft point has a substantial meplat (flat bullet face) to initiate expansion and the bonded construction helps the bullet hang together as it penetrates tissue and bone. The recoil is very manageable while delivering good terminal ballistics.
Fiocchi Field Dynamics ammunition is made up of high-quality components ensuring a consistent point-of-impact. Additionally, you can expect optimal terminal performance from a pointed soft-point projectile. Also, it’s very manageable in terms of recoil.
Hornady LeverRevolution 325-gr FTX
Much like the Hornady 250 gr MonoFlex referenced above, this was a game-changer for lever-action hunters. The flex-tip design allows for a flatter-shooting bullet that can reach out on longer shots. It can be used safely in a tubular magazine without fear of the bullet point touching off the primer of the round in front of it. The FTX bullet is designed to expand rapidly on game, mushrooming to an impressive diameter quickly after entering the animal.
Remington Core-Lokt 405-gr JSP
An easy shooting 45-70 hunting round when it comes to recoil, but don’t let the moderate 1,600 fps muzzle velocity fool you. The Core-Lokt 405-grain soft point is more than capable of handling medium sized game like whitetails and hogs.
Range Results
We generated the following results from a bench rest position at 100 yards:
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Listed Muzzle Velocity (fps) |
Listed Muzzle Energy (ft/lb.) |
Group Size-3-rnds |
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In essence any of the ammo tested would be completely capable for taking game out to 200 yards and beyond. As I have stated in previous commentaries, I prefer to hunt with the ammo that proves to be most accurate in the rifle I am using at the time. As long as the bullet is designed for big game hunting and is accurate to boot…it’s good to go in my book. In this case, both the Hornady LeveRevolution 250 gr MonoFlex, and the 325 gr FTX proved to be the top contenders.
.45-70 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Diverse bullet selection
- Excellent lever action cartridge
- Hard-hitting for hunting purposes
Cons
Hunting with the .45-70
While I would have much preferred to try out this classic cartridge on elk or bear, the only option at the time turned out to be feral hogs. As you may know, these hogs can in fact be quite tenacious. They can weigh up to several hundred pounds and are known to be quite dangerous if wounded.
Hogs also love the thick brush along creeks and watering areas and are often are not easy to find during daylight hours, preferring to bed up in the thickest brush during these times. Hence so many folks end up hunting for this critter after dark using night vison and thermal optics.
However, on my recent excursion to a West Texas ranch the foreman suggested an elevated blind near a water unit that also was in close proximity to a creek bottom with lots of thick mesquite and other brush. Looking this area over it did not take long to find plenty of hog sign; tracks, scat and rooting activity near the elevated blind. Obviously, we were in the right area. A hunting buddy and myself got into the blind mid-afternoon with plenty of time before sunset.
Hogs Enter The Scene
I didn’t really expect any activity until the last hour or so of daylight. So, we were pleasantly surprised to spot whitetail deer, turkeys, and axis deer within the first 30 minutes. Soon however, we noticed the deer on alert looking towards the brushy creek bottom. It wasn’t long before a group of hogs, all solid black in color appeared from the brush, the largest probably in the 100-pound range. The pigs were only 30-40 yards from the blind.
About Hogs & 45-70
I have hunted feral hogs before; they are smart and alert critters. So, when I moved slightly to get into a good shooting position and hit the .45-70 barrel against a brace in the blind, the hogs vanished back into the thick mesquite fast as lightning. Hogs-1, hunters-0. Kicking myself thinking I had blown my chance the mood was somber and my hunting buddy enjoyed kidding me over it for the next hour.
Finally, the last 30 minutes of daylight another group of hogs came in from a completely different direction about 100 yards in distance from our blind. This time I was already in position and wasted no time getting crosshairs on one of the hogs presenting a full broadside view. The illuminated dot in the center of the crosshairs was ideal for the reduced light conditions and against the solid black hair of the hog.
I was using the Hornady .45-70, 250 gr MonoFlex ammo as it had produced the smallest groups overall in my S&W Model 1854. The second I pressed the trigger I could see the hog stepping to the right but the hammer fell before I could let off. The bullet stuck, the hog squealed and disappeared. Knowing I hit the animal hard, but probably too far back, I did not relish the idea of going into thick cover looking for a wounded hog.
A Successful Hunt
Never-the-less we decided to go check before it was too dark. We approached the spot where the hog disappeared slowly with rifles ready. Immediately we found blood and lots of it. Looking cautiously along the trail the hog had taken, we found it dead within 10 yards of where it had entered the brush. The 250 gr MonoFlex bullet had done its job wonderfully despite the shot not being perfect. While no where near the largest hog I have ever taken, he was just the right size at 80-100 pounds for making sausage.
Final Thoughts
The .45-70 is a historic cartridge with well over a century of history. Even though most of us don’t consider it a long-range cartridge, it remains a classic. Bottom line, don’t sell the .45-70 short. Not only is it the forefather of today’s centerfire rifle cartridges, it continues to top the charts despite the dozens of newer cartridges that have come along since its beginnings. I have little doubt the .45-70 will be found on dealer’s shelves for decades to come.
