Built For American Patriots · Independent · Constitutional Absolutist
Guide

45-70 Government Ammo 2026: Hunting and Range Loads From the Makers

By , EditorUpdated How we verifyEditorial standards

We checked 15 current 45-70 Government loads on Federal's, Remington's and Hornady's own product pages on November 5, 2026: 7 from Federal, 5 from Remington and 3 from Hornady. The bullet weights, velocities, energy figures, test barrels and statuses below are copied from the maker pages. We don't use retailer prices or third-party ballistics. This is a comparison of popular loads from 3 makers, not every 45-70 Government load sold.

Grouping follows the usage label Federal and Remington print on their own pages. Hornady is listed in its own table, because Hornady prints no usage label. The Cartridge column shows the name the maker page uses.

Hunting loads

These are the loads Federal and Remington label "Big Game" on their own pages. Figures are copied from each maker page.

LoadCartridgeItem #BulletMuzzle velocityMuzzle energyTest barrelBoxMaker status (Nov. 5)
Federal Fusion Rifle45-70 GovernmentF4570FS1Fusion Soft Point1,850 fps2,280 ft-lbNot listed on maker page20Available
Federal HammerDown Rifle45-70 GovernmentLG45701Bonded Soft Point1,850 fps2,280 ft-lbNot listed on maker page20Available
Federal Henry 250th Anniversary45-70 Government4570HENRYHollow Point1,850 fps2,280 ft-lbNot listed on maker page20Available
Federal Power-Shok Rifle45-70 Government4570ASJacketed Soft Point1,850 fps2,280 ft-lbNot listed on maker page20Available
Federal Subsonic45-70 GovernmentF4570FS1SUBFusion Soft Point1,000 fps666 ft-lbNot listed on maker page20Available
Remington Core-Lokt45-70 Government29473Core-Lokt Soft Point1,330 fps1,591 ft-lbNot listed on maker page20Available
Remington Core-Lokt45-70 Government21459Core-Lokt Soft Point1,600 fps2,302 ft-lbNot listed on maker page20Available
Remington Core-Lokt Tipped Lever Gun45-70 GovernmentR21430Core-Lokt Tipped2,100 fps2,937 ft-lbNot listed on maker page20Available
Remington High Performance Rifle45-70 Government21463Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point1,900 fps2,405 ft-lbNot listed on maker page20Available

Target and range loads

These are the Federal and Remington loads whose usage label does not include Big Game. The labels are copied from each maker page (Target Shooting, or Predator and Target Shooting). Figures are copied from each maker page.

LoadCartridgeItem #BulletMuzzle velocityMuzzle energyTest barrelBoxMaker status (Nov. 5)
Federal 250th Anniversary USA Rifle45-70 GovernmentAE4570USAJacketed Soft Point1,850 fps2,280 ft-lbNot listed on maker page20Available
Federal Subsonic45-70 Government4570SUB1Target Soft Point1,000 fps666 ft-lbNot listed on maker page20Available
Remington Subsonic Rifle45-70 Government27747Bonded Hollow Point1,000 fps666 ft-lbNot listed on maker page20Available

Hornady loads

Hornady's pages show no usage label and no stock status on our capture, so these loads are listed by product line, such as LEVERevolution and Sub-X Subsonic. Velocity and energy are the muzzle figures from each page's ballistics table, and the test barrel is the one the table names.

LoadCartridgeItem #BulletMuzzle velocityMuzzle energyTest barrelBoxMaker status (Nov. 5)
Hornady LEVERevolution45-70 Government82741250 gr MonoFlex® LEVERevolution®2,025 fps2,276 ft-lb24 in20Not listed on maker page
Hornady LEVERevolution45-70 Government82747325 gr FTX® LEVERevolution®2,000 fps2,886 ft-lb24 in20Not listed on maker page
Hornady Sub-X45-70 Government82742410 gr Sub-X® Subsonic1,075 fps1,052 ft-lb24 in20Not listed on maker page

Velocity and energy are the muzzle figures in each maker's ballistics table. Test barrel is the length the maker lists. "Box" is the round count per box. Status is the maker's own wording on its product page, and it changes daily. All pages checked November 5, 2026.

Which bullet weight? What the makers' numbers show

Loads in our tables run from 250 gr to 410 gr. The lightest is Hornady LEVERevolution 250 gr (82741), and the heaviest is Hornady Sub-X 410 gr (82742). The fastest listed muzzle velocity is 2,100 fps, Remington Core-Lokt Tipped Lever Gun 300 gr (R21430), with no test barrel listed. The highest listed muzzle energy is 2,937 ft-lb, Remington Core-Lokt Tipped Lever Gun 300 gr (R21430), with no test barrel listed. Because test barrels differ or are not listed, compare across makers with care.

The makers label loads for game or for target use. They don't tell you one weight is right for a species. The right choice depends on bullet construction, range and your state's rules. Check your state hunting rules and your state wildlife agency before you buy.

Barrel length matters: the test barrels

Muzzle velocity depends on barrel length, so compare loads tested on the same barrel. Of the 15 loads, 12 list no test barrel, 3 list 24 in. The loads with no test barrel are from Federal and Remington. A rifle with a shorter barrel than the maker's test barrel will likely give lower velocities than the box. SAAMI's test barrel for the 45-70 Government is 24 in.

No barrel-length-velocity page exists yet for the 45-70 Government, and we have not charted one. Our barrel length vs velocity data covers other cartridges, so do not read those numbers as 45-70 Government data.

45-70 Government: what SAAMI lists

SAAMI lists the cartridge as "45-70 GOVERNMENT [45-70 GOVT]" in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4, its centerfire rifle standard (approved Feb. 10, 2025). The cartridge drawing was issued 05/29/1979 and revised 02/10/2023. SAAMI lists a maximum average pressure of 28,000 psi, measured by transducer (the table shows 280 in psi/100). SAAMI also lists a crusher maximum average pressure of 28,000 CUP (the table shows 280 in CUP/100). The calibration table in Section II carries a footnote on this cartridge: "The calibration band for the 45-70 Gov't does not conform to the standardized guidance due to testing done on ammunition loaded to 18,000 psi." Cartridge overall length runs from 2.490 in minimum to 2.550 in maximum. Case length is 2.105 in (−.020), and bullet diameter is .458 in (−.003). Bore is .450 in and groove is .456 in, with 6 grooves and a twist of 1 in 20.00 in, right-hand (marked optional). SAAMI reference velocities are Not yet verified, because the PDF text does not clearly pair each bullet weight with its velocity. Read the standard at the SAAMI Z299.4 PDF. The 45-70 Government MAP row is also on our SAAMI maximum average pressure table (Z299.4, 28,000 psi / 280 psi/100).

SAAMI says all standard rifle test barrels are 24 in long and that exterior ballistic data for centerfire rifle cartridges is based on that length. Its listed exceptions (7.62x39, 277 Sig Fury, 30 Carbine, 300 AAC Blackout, 300 HAM'R, 350 Legend, 350 Remington Magnum, 360 Buckhammer, 400 Legend and 44 Remington Magnum) do not include the 45-70 Government, so SAAMI measures it on a 24 in barrel.

Not yet verified

These makers and loads are not in the tables.

Rifles for 45-70 Government

The 45-70 Government is a rifle cartridge, and the loads in the tables run from 250 gr to 410 gr. See also new rifle releases and the new hunting rifles of 2026.

Where to buy

We link only to maker pages, listed in the sources below. Federal and Remington show availability on their own product pages. Hornady's pages show none on our capture. We don't track retailer stock or prices. Before you order, check your state's ammunition rules, because some states require a background check or restrict shipping.

For more ammo, see .30-30 Win ammo, .450 Bushmaster ammo, .350 Legend ammo, .375 H&H Magnum ammo, .35 Whelen ammo, .44 Magnum ammo, .45 Colt ammo, the SAAMI maximum average pressure table, the barrel length vs velocity data, new ammo for 2026 and all ammo releases.

Frequently asked questions

What is the SAAMI maximum pressure for 45-70 Government?
SAAMI lists a maximum average pressure of 28,000 psi for 45-70 Government, measured by transducer, in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 (the table shows 280 in psi/100).
What grain is 45-70 Government ammo?
In our tables the bullets run from 250 gr to 410 gr. Check your firearm maker's manual for what your rifle is set up to shoot.
How fast is 45-70 Government ammo?
In our tables, listed muzzle velocities run from 1,000 fps to 2,100 fps, and muzzle energies from 666 ft-lb to 2,937 ft-lb. Test barrels vary, and some maker pages list none. See the test barrel section of this guide.
What does test barrel mean?
It is the barrel length the maker used to measure the listed velocity. A shorter barrel will likely give lower velocities than the box.
Do you list prices or stock for 45-70 Government ammo?
No. We link only to maker pages. Where a maker page shows a status, such as "Available" or "Currently Unavailable," we copy it as of Nov. 5, 2026. Hornady's pages show none.

Sources

  1. Federal: Federal 250th Anniversary USA Rifle 45-70 Government Jacketed Soft Point, item AE4570USA (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  2. Federal: Federal Fusion Rifle 45-70 Government Fusion Soft Point, item F4570FS1 (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  3. Federal: Federal HammerDown Rifle 45-70 Government Bonded Soft Point, item LG45701 (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  4. Federal: Federal Henry 250th Anniversary 45-70 Government Hollow Point, item 4570HENRY (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  5. Federal: Federal Power-Shok Rifle 45-70 Government Jacketed Soft Point, item 4570AS (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  6. Federal: Federal Subsonic 45-70 Government Target Soft Point, item 4570SUB1 (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  7. Federal: Federal Subsonic 45-70 Government Fusion Soft Point, item F4570FS1SUB (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  8. Remington: Remington Core-Lokt 45-70 Government Core-Lokt Soft Point, item 29473 (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  9. Remington: Remington Core-Lokt 45-70 Government Core-Lokt Soft Point, item 21459 (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  10. Remington: Remington Core-Lokt Tipped Lever Gun 45-70 Government Core-Lokt Tipped, item R21430 (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  11. Remington: Remington High Performance Rifle 45-70 Government Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point, item 21463 (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  12. Remington: Remington Subsonic Rifle 45-70 Government Bonded Hollow Point, item 27747 (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  13. Hornady: Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 Government 250 gr MonoFlex® LEVERevolution®, item 82741 (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  14. Hornady: Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 Government 325 gr FTX® LEVERevolution®, item 82747 (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  15. Hornady: Hornady Sub-X 45-70 Government 410 gr Sub-X® Subsonic, item 82742 (checked Nov. 5, 2026)
  16. SAAMI: ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 centerfire rifle standard, 45-70 Government drawing (checked Nov. 5, 2026)

Keep exploring

Free weekly email

The Gun Release Report

Get new gun releases and NFA law updates. Free, weekly. Unsubscribe at any time.

About the newsletter · Privacy

Subscribe free on beehiiv