Cheap 45-70 Gov’t Ammo For Sale Online At Smoky Mountains Guns and Ammo

The first time I carried a .45-70 into thick timber, I understood the appeal fast. You do not feel “overgunned.” You feel ready. That confidence is exactly why many hunters search for 45-70 ammo for sale before deer season, hog season, or a bear trip. With a classic lever gun in hand, you want a 45-70 round you can trust when the shot window is short. At SmokyMountainsGunsandAmmo.com, you can stock up with bulk-friendly options and clear product details, so you spend less time hunting for ammo and more time hunting game.

What is 45-70 gov’t ammo

45-70 gov’t ammo (also written as 45-70 Government ammo) is a big-bore, centerfire 45-70 cartridge originally designed for U.S. military service. The name comes from its early load format: .45 caliber bullet, 70 grains of black powder, and a 405-grain bullet in the classic “.45-70-405” designation.

Today, modern 45-70 ammunition uses smokeless powder and many bullet designs. Even so, it keeps the same “straight-wall, rimmed” identity that lever-action shooters love.

History

The .45-70 Government entered U.S. service in the early 1870s, tied closely to the Springfield “Trapdoor” era. Early loads included the .45-70-405, and later the heavier .45-70-500 concept appeared for improved long-range performance in that period.

That long history matters for one practical reason. You will still see “power tiers” discussed today, because modern rifles vary widely in strength and design. The cartridge has lived through black powder, smokeless powder, and modern premium hunting bullets without losing its identity.

Types of 45-70 ammunition

Below are the main types you will see when shopping for 45-70 gov’t ammo in bulk.

• Soft Point (SP)

A classic deer-and-elk style bullet that expands reliably in tissue. It is common in 300–405 grain loads.

• Bonded Soft Point

Bonded bullets hold together better through bone and heavy muscle. Federal Fusion 300-grain is a popular example.

• Hollow Point (JHP)

Often chosen for fast expansion at brush distances. Many higher-energy loads use this style.

• Hard Cast (Flat Nose, Gas Check)

This is the “deep penetration” lane. Hunters choose it for tough angles and large animals. Underwood’s heavy hard-cast offerings show why this category has a loyal following.

• Polymer-Tipped Levergun Bullets

Hornady’s LEVERevolution line uses a flexible tip designed to be safer in tubular magazines while improving ballistic efficiency.

Specifications of the 45-70 government ammo

These specs help you recognize the 45-70 cartridge and understand why it feeds so well in many lever guns.

• Bullet diameter: about .458 in / 11.63 mm

• Case length: about 2.105 in

• Overall length: about 2.550 in

• Design: rimmed, straight-wall case

• CIP maximum pressure (Pmax): 2200 bar (listed by CIP tables)

Those numbers explain two buyer priorities. First, you must match ammo to your rifle’s rated load category. Second, you should pick bullets that suit your magazine type, especially with tubular magazines.

Design of the ammunition

The 45-70 government ammo design is simple and effective: a straight case, a strong rim for extraction, and heavy bullets that hit hard at practical woods ranges.

If you run a lever action with a tubular magazine, bullet shape matters. Manufacturers built modern “levergun” bullets to improve trajectory while staying magazine-safe. Hornady highlights that its Flex Tip design supports tubular magazine use and flatter performance than traditional flat points.

What is 45-70 ammo used for

Shooters use 45-70 ammunition for three main jobs:

1. Deer and hog hunting in thick cover. The cartridge shines inside typical woods distances.

2. Big game and bear defense setups. Heavy hard-cast loads focus on penetration.

3. Range work and tradition. The cartridge has history, and it is simply fun to shoot.

This is also where many shoppers compare it with 30-30 ammo. Both are lever-gun classics. The difference is in feel. The .45-70 brings a heavier shove and bigger frontal area.

Best 45-70 ammo

“Best” depends on your rifle, your game, and your distance. I use a simple filter:

• Reliability first: consistent ignition and feeding

• Terminal goal: fast expansion for deer, deep penetration for bear

• Your rifle type: lever action, single shot, or modern strong action

• Your recoil tolerance: You must practice with what you carry

For many hunters, modern lever-optimized loads stand out because they improve downrange energy and trajectory. Hornady also claims up to 40% more energy than traditional flat-point bullets in this product family.

45-70 ammo Ballistics

Ballistics vary widely by bullet weight and load style. Here are real factory examples to anchor expectations.

• Classic-era baseline (historical): 405-grain load around 1350 fps is part of the cartridge’s early identity.

• Modern lever-style example: Hornady 325 gr FTX lists 2000 fps and 2886 ft-lb at the muzzle (24″ test barrel on their page).

• Bonded hunting example: Federal Fusion 300-grain lists 1850 fps at the muzzle.

• Hard-cast penetration example: Underwood 430-gr hard cast +P lists 1925 fps and 3539 ft-lb.

One practical truth stays constant. The 45-70 round drops more at distance than modern high-velocity cartridges. That is normal. It is a woods hammer, not a flat-shooting laser.

Best 45-70 ammo for deer

For whitetails, you usually want controlled expansion and a clean exit. These categories tend to perform well:

• 300-gr soft point or bonded soft point for broadside shots and mixed brush angles

• Lever-optimized tipped bullets if you want a flatter hold in the woods

Also, remember the recoil reality. Field & Stream notes the recoil gap can be dramatic when compared with 30-30 ammo in typical loads. That matters because practice builds confidence.

Best 45-70 ammo for grizzly

For grizzly, hunters often prioritize penetration, straight tracking, and bone-breaking ability. Heavy hard-cast flat nose loads are common choices for that reason. Underwood’s 430-gr hard-cast load lists high muzzle energy and clearly targets large and dangerous game use cases.

Important note: always match your chosen load to your rifle’s rated capability and your local regulations.

45 70 ammo 500 grain loads

A 45 70 ammo 500-grain loads setup is about momentum and penetration. Buffalo Bore lists a 500-grain .45-70 load around 1625 fps with roughly 2931 ft-lb of muzzle energy for its heavy lever-gun offering.

These loads can be punishing. They can also be very effective in the right rifle, with the right shooter behind it.

450 Bushmaster ammo vs 45-70

This comparison comes up for a reason. Both are big-bore options that hunters use at short-to-mid ranges.

• 450 Bushmaster Ammo: often chosen for modern platforms and straight-wall hunting rules in some states.

• 45-70 Government: often chosen for lever guns, heavier bullet options, and deep-penetration loads.

If you love lever actions and want the widest variety of bullet weights, the 45-70 gov’t ammo ecosystem is hard to beat.

45-70 lever action ammo

Most buyers who search “45-70 lever action ammo” want two things:

1. Reliable feeding in a lever gun.

2. Magazine-safe bullet geometry for tubular magazines.

Hornady’s LEVERevolution line explicitly positions itself around lever-action performance and tubular magazine compatibility through its Flex Tip design.

Best 45-70 ammo for bear

If the bear is a black bear in timber, a strong expanding bullet often works well. If the concern shifts to tougher angles or larger bears, many hunters move toward hard cast for penetration. Underwood’s heavy hard-cast loads reflect that “punch-through” philosophy.

Most powerful 45-70 ammo

“Most powerful” usually means the highest muzzle energy from factory ammunition, in a strong modern rifle. Buffalo Bore lists a 300-grain load at 2350 fps with 3678 ft-lb muzzle energy in its Magnum lever-gun line.

Power is not the only goal, though. You still need shootability, accuracy, and repeatability.

45-70 ammo size

Key measurements you will see in specs:

• Case length about 2.105 inches

• Overall length about 2.550 inches

• Bullet diameter about .458 inch

Those dimensions help you confirm fit and compatibility when you shop bulk cases.

How much does 45-70 ammo cost

Prices move with brand, bullet type, and inventory. Still, you can anchor expectations using current retail listings.

• Budget-to-mid options can show around $1.60 per round for some soft-point loads on major retailers’ listings.

• Premium hunting loads often land around $2–$3+ per round, especially with bonded or specialty bullets.

• Specialty “heavy” loads can run much higher, such as Buffalo Bore’s pricing for 20-round boxes on their site.

If you shoot often, bulk buying matters. It smooths out supply gaps and can reduce your average per-round cost.

30/30 ammo vs 45/70

This is the lever-gun debate that never dies.

• 30-30 ammo: lighter recoil, flatter feel for many shooters, and strong deer history.

• 45/70: heavier recoil, bigger bullet, and more authority at close range.

Field & Stream notes that a typical .45-70 load can recoil far harder than a typical 30-30 load. That recoil difference is a real planning factor for practice.

If you hunt tight woods and want maximum punch, the 45-70 cartridge makes sense. If you want easier practice and longer holds, the 30-30 often wins.

45 70 ammo vs 308

This comparison is about trajectory and distance.

• .308 Winchester ammo shoots flatter and stays easier to hold at longer ranges.

• 45-70 ammunition hits with a heavier bullet and excels at practical brush distances.

Many comparisons highlight dramatic bullet-drop differences at 200–300 yards, favoring .308 for distance work.

So, ask yourself one honest question. Are you hunting open country or thick cover?

45-70 government ammo brand

When you shop 45-70 government ammo brand options, you will commonly see:

• Hornady (LEVERevolution) Hornady 

• Federal (Fusion and other lines) Federal 

• Remington (Core-Lokt style loads appear widely in listings)

• Underwood (hard cast and heavy hunting loads)

• Buffalo Bore (high-energy hunting loads)

Your “best brand” is the one that groups well in your rifle and fits your game.

Where to buy 45-70 gov’t Ammo online

If you want a simple buying path, shop 45-70 ammo for sale at SmokyMountainsGunsandAmmo.com for bulk-focused inventory and straightforward product categories. Their store positioning emphasizes bulk ammo, secure checkout, and hunting-ready selection.

FAQ (People also ask and related searches)

Is a 45-70 Government good for deer?

Yes, it is widely used for deer, especially in thick woods. Many hunters prefer expanding bullets like soft points.

What is the effective range of 45-70?

Most hunters treat it as a close-to-mid-range cartridge. Trajectory drops faster than high-velocity rounds like .308.

Can I use pointed bullets in a 45-70 lever action?

Tubular magazines typically favor flat or flex-tip bullets. Hornady’s Flex Tip design targets safer tubular use.

What bullet weight is best for 45-70?

It depends on the job. Many deer loads sit near 300–325 grains, while penetration-focused loads go heavier.

Do 500-grain 45-70 loads kick hard?

Yes, recoil can be heavy, and practice matters. Heavy loads also cost more, so plan your range time.

Is 45-70 stronger than 30-30?

In close-range “stopping power,” the 45-70 usually hits harder. However, it recoils more than 30-30.

Why are there “different power levels” of 45-70 ammo?

Rifles vary from older designs to modern strong actions. Manufacturers offer different load styles to fit those platforms safely.