The 45-70 Government in a modern single-shot rifle is a completely different animal than the same cartridge in a Trapdoor Springfield or a lever-action Marlin. When you seat a 300gr jacketed bullet over a stiff charge of slow powder and touch it off in a TC Encore with a 26-inch barrel, you are operating in a pressure and velocity range that the original 1873 designers never imagined. This article is about making the most of that capability – safely, methodically, and with a clear understanding of which guns can handle it and which absolutely cannot.
If your reloading manual has a section labeled “Strong Actions Only” or “Modern Single-Shot Actions,” the TC Encore, CVA Scout, and Ruger No 1 are the firearms that data was written for. We will walk through the differences between these platforms, how to read and apply high-pressure load data correctly, which powders and bullets shine in long barrels, and the common mistakes that trip up even experienced handloaders when they start pushing the 45-70 to its modern potential.
TC Encore CVA Scout and Ruger No 1 Compared
These three rifles share one critical trait – they are all built from modern steel on actions designed to contain pressures well beyond what any lever gun or Trapdoor can safely handle. But they are not identical, and the differences matter when you are developing loads at the top end. The Ruger No 1 is arguably the strongest of the three, with a massive falling-block action and barrel options up to 26 inches. The TC Encore uses a break-open design with a robust locking lug system and is commonly found with 24-inch or 26-inch barrels in 45-70. The CVA Scout is a break-action single-shot built on a solid platform that handles strong-action data comfortably, typically wearing a 25-inch barrel.
One important distinction – the TC Contender G2 is not the same as the Encore. The Contender G2 uses a smaller frame rated for lower pressures. Most manual publishers place the Contender G2 in an intermediate pressure tier, below the Encore and Ruger No 1. If you own a Contender G2, do not use maximum strong-action data. Treat it as a separate platform and follow the pressure guidelines your manual assigns to it specifically.
| Platform | Action Type | Typical Barrel Length | Pressure Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruger No 1 | Falling block | 22-26 inches | Strong action max |
| TC Encore | Break-open | 24-26 inches | Strong action max |
| CVA Scout | Break-open | 25 inches | Strong action max |
| TC Contender G2 | Break-open (smaller) | 23-24 inches | Intermediate |
Reading Strong Action Data in Your Manual
Every major reloading manual that covers the 45-70 divides its data into pressure tiers. Hodgdon labels its highest tier as data for “strong actions such as the Ruger No 1.” Lyman uses a three-tier system – Trapdoor, lever action, and strong action. Hornady and Sierra follow similar conventions with clear warnings about which firearms qualify. The key point is that “strong action” does not mean “any gun that seems tough.” It means specific modern single-shot actions with verified headspace and known metallurgy.
Using strong-action data in a lever gun – even a modern Marlin 1895 or Henry – is dangerous. Lever actions have multiple locking surfaces, receiver flex under pressure, and tubular magazines that create different stress profiles. A Marlin may chamber the same round and even fire it without obvious signs of distress, but that does not mean the action is operating within safe margins. If your manual says “strong single-shot actions only,” that boundary is not a suggestion. Respect it completely. When in doubt, start with lever-action tier data and work up only if your firearm is explicitly listed in the strong-action category.
Slow Powders and Long Barrels – What Works
The 45-70 in a lever gun with an 18-inch or 22-inch barrel favors faster-burning powders like IMR 3031 and H4198 because they reach peak pressure and complete their burn in the available barrel length. In a 24-inch or 26-inch Encore or Ruger No 1, you have significantly more bore to work with. This means medium-burn-rate powders like Reloader 7, AA2495, Varget, and IMR 4895 come into their own, producing higher velocities with excellent pressure uniformity. The extra barrel length lets these powders finish burning completely, converting more energy into bullet velocity instead of muzzle flash.
The velocity difference is meaningful. A load that produces 1,850 fps from a 22-inch lever gun barrel may reach 2,050-2,100 fps from a 26-inch Encore barrel – and that is before you even touch the charge weight. When you combine the longer barrel with the higher charge weights permitted by strong-action data, you can push a 300gr bullet past 2,100 fps with manageable pressure. H4198 still works well in these guns for lighter loads, but if you want to extract maximum performance, the slightly slower powders are where the gains live. Always use a chronograph to verify your actual velocities – barrel-to-barrel variation is real, and published data represents test barrels, not yours.
300gr Jacketed Bullets at 2100 fps and Beyond
At 2,100 fps from a 26-inch barrel, a 300gr jacketed 45-70 bullet retains roughly 1,800 ft-lbs of energy at 100 yards and around 1,400 ft-lbs at 200 yards. Compare that to a lever-action 45-70 pushing the same bullet at 1,800 fps – you gain approximately 300-400 ft-lbs of retained energy at 200 yards and cut trajectory drop by several inches. This turns the 45-70 from a 150-yard deer cartridge into a legitimate 250-yard elk and bear rifle. It does not become a 30-06, but it closes the gap meaningfully at woods and mid-range hunting distances.
Bullet selection at these velocities matters. Hornady 300gr FTX and FPX projectiles, Speer 400gr and 300gr Hot-Cor, and Barnes TSX bullets are all designed to perform at the velocities modern single-shots can produce. Hard-cast lead bullets rated for 1,600 fps are not appropriate at 2,100 fps – they can strip rifling, leading your bore badly and producing dangerous pressure spikes. If you want to shoot cast at high velocity, use gas-checked bullets from a reputable caster who rates them for your intended speed, and verify leading after every range session. For maximum performance hunting loads, jacketed or monolithic bullets are the safer and more consistent choice.
Quick Checklist Before Loading Strong-Action 45-70
- Confirm your rifle is on the manual’s “strong action” list
- Verify headspace with a Go/No-Go gauge set before developing max loads
- Use only data from the strong-action tier of your manual
- Start 10% below maximum and work up in half-grain increments
- Chronograph every load – do not assume published velocities match your barrel
- Inspect brass after every firing for signs of excessive pressure
- Use jacketed or gas-checked bullets rated for your target velocity
- Keep a detailed log of every load with charge weight, velocity, primer condition, and case measurements
Common Mistakes With Hot 45-70 Loads
Even experienced reloaders make errors when they start working at the top of the 45-70 pressure range. These are the most frequent problems:
- Using strong-action data in the wrong gun. This is the most dangerous mistake. If your firearm is not a modern single-shot with known good headspace, strong-action data is off-limits. Period.
- Skipping headspace verification. A used TC Encore or Ruger No 1 may have been shot extensively or had barrels swapped. Check headspace before loading to maximum. A set of 45-70 Go/No-Go gauges is inexpensive insurance.
- Mixing up pressure tiers across manuals. One manual’s “maximum lever-action” charge may exceed another manual’s “strong action” starting load. Always work within a single manual’s data set for a given load and do not cherry-pick the highest charge from each source.
- Ignoring case condition. Brass fired at strong-action pressures work-hardens faster. Inspect primer pockets for loosening, check case length after every firing, and retire brass that shows signs of fatigue.
- Running cast bullets too fast. A 405gr plain-base cast bullet at 2,000 fps will lead your bore aggressively and may cause a dangerous obstruction over time. Match your bullet to your velocity.
- Not using a chronograph. At these pressure levels, the difference between a safe load and an over-pressure load can be 50 fps. You need real data, not guesswork.
Quick Takeaways
- The TC Encore, CVA Scout, and Ruger No 1 can safely use strong-action 45-70 data – most lever guns and all Trapdoors cannot
- Medium-burn-rate powders like Reloader 7, AA2495, and IMR 4895 deliver the best performance in 24-inch and longer barrels
- A 300gr jacketed bullet at 2,100 fps from a 26-inch barrel makes the 45-70 effective to 250 yards on large game
- Always verify headspace before developing maximum loads in any single-shot rifle
- The TC Contender G2 is not rated for the same pressure tier as the Encore – treat them as different platforms
- Work up loads carefully, chronograph everything, and inspect brass after every firing
FAQ – Reloading 45-70 for Modern Single Shots
Can I use Ruger No 1 load data in my TC Encore?
Yes. Both the Ruger No 1 and TC Encore are rated for the same strong-action pressure tier in all major reloading manuals. The same data applies to both. Always start at the published starting charge and work up, since barrel length and chamber dimensions vary between platforms.
Is the CVA Scout as strong as the Encore and Ruger No 1?
The CVA Scout is a modern break-action rifle built for centerfire cartridges up to magnum pressures. Most reloaders and manual publishers place it in the same strong-action tier as the Encore and Ruger No 1. If you have any doubt about a specific CVA model, contact CVA directly and confirm the maximum average pressure rating for your rifle.
Why can’t I use strong-action data in my Marlin 1895?
The Marlin 1895 is a lever-action with a different locking system, receiver geometry, and stress profile than a falling-block or break-open single-shot. Lever-action data already pushes these guns to their designed limits. Strong-action data generates pressures that exceed what lever-action receivers are engineered to contain safely – even if the gun appears to fire normally.
What is the best powder for maximum velocity in a 26-inch barrel?
There is no single “best” powder, but Reloader 7, AA2495, and IMR 4895 consistently produce excellent velocity and accuracy in long-barreled 45-70 single-shots at strong-action pressure levels. H4198 also works well but may peak slightly earlier in the burn curve. Test several and let your chronograph and groups tell you which your specific barrel prefers.
Do I need to check headspace on a new rifle?
It is good practice on any rifle, but it is especially important on used guns and guns with interchangeable barrels like the TC Encore. A new factory rifle should be within specification, but verifying headspace before developing maximum loads takes five minutes and eliminates one variable from your safety equation. A 45-70 Go/No-Go gauge set is a worthwhile addition to your reloading bench.
Can I shoot strong-action loads in a TC Contender G2?
No. The Contender G2 frame is smaller and rated for lower pressures than the Encore. Use intermediate-tier data for the Contender G2, not strong-action maximums. Your manual should specify which tier applies. If it does not distinguish between the two, contact the powder manufacturer’s technical line for clarification before loading.
