The 45-70 Government has been putting meat on the table since 1873, and its reputation as a close-range hammer on heavy game hasn’t faded one bit. Whether you’re sitting over a hog wallow in East Texas or glassing a bull elk in thick Montana timber, this cartridge delivers the kind of authority that modern magnums achieve through velocity – except the 45-70 does it with a big, heavy bullet moving at moderate speed. The physics are simple: a 400-grain slug at 1,800 fps hits like a freight train and doesn’t need to expand perfectly to do devastating work.
But building the right hunting load for the 45-70 means thinking backward from the animal, not forward from the muzzle. A whitetail load and a grizzly load share almost nothing in common except the brass. This guide walks through specific bullet weights, velocity windows, and platform considerations for every major North American game animal you might reasonably take with a 45-70 – from feral hogs to moose. If you handload, you already know the 45-70 is one of the most versatile big-bore cartridges on the bench. Let’s put that versatility to work.
Ethical Range Limits by Platform Type
Your 45-70 hunting rifle defines your effective range before you ever select a bullet. A lever-action like the Marlin 1895 with an 18.5-inch barrel is realistically a 100 to 150-yard deer rifle. Trajectory drop with a 350-grain bullet at 1,800 fps is roughly 6 to 8 inches at 150 yards and gets ugly fast beyond that. Iron sights compound the problem – most shooters simply can’t hold precise enough past 125 yards with a buckhorn or ghost ring under field conditions.
A modern single-shot platform like the TC Encore or H&R/NEF with a 24-inch barrel changes the math meaningfully. You can safely push pressures higher – into the 40,000 psi range – which gets a 300-grain bullet to 2,100 fps or a 350-grain bullet past 1,900 fps. Add quality glass and you have a legitimate 175 to 200-yard hunting rifle. That’s still short range by modern standards, but it covers the vast majority of real-world timber and brush-country shots in North America.
| Platform | Barrel Length | Typical Velocity (350gr) | Practical Hunting Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lever-action (Marlin, Henry) | 18-22″ | 1,700-1,850 fps | 100-150 yards |
| Single-shot (Encore, Ruger No. 1) | 24-26″ | 1,850-2,050 fps | 150-200 yards |
| Trapdoor / Antique | 28-32″ | 1,200-1,350 fps | 75-100 yards |
Be honest with yourself about your platform’s limits. An ethical shot means having enough energy for reliable terminal performance and enough accuracy to hit the vitals consistently. The 45-70 is not a cartridge you stretch – it’s a cartridge you get close with.
Whitetail and Hog Loads That Deliver
For whitetail deer and feral hogs, the 45-70 is genuinely overpowered in the best possible way. A 300 to 350-grain jacketed soft point or flat point at 1,700 to 1,900 fps delivers 1,800 to 2,200 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle – far more than needed for any deer or hog walking. The key is selecting bullets that expand reliably at these moderate velocities without over-penetrating on lighter-bodied animals. Hornady’s 325-grain FTX (the LEVERevolution bullet) is a strong option for lever guns because its flex tip initiates expansion at lower velocities and the pointed profile improves ballistic coefficient for flatter trajectory.
For hogs specifically, consider bumping up to a 350-grain jacketed flat point for better straight-line penetration through the shield. Hogs hit from quartering angles need a bullet that won’t deflect off the shoulder plate. A good lever-action load runs 42 to 43 grains of IMR 3031 behind a 350-grain Hornady round nose at around 1,800 fps from an 18-inch barrel. For single-shot platforms, you can push the same bullet to 1,950 fps with 46 to 47 grains of the same powder. Always work up from published starting loads and verify with a chronograph – the 45-70 is pressure-sensitive and small charge increases can produce large velocity jumps.
Black Bear Loads for Deep Timber Hunts
The 45-70 might be the single best black bear cartridge in North America for hunters who do their work inside 150 yards. Black bears are heavily muscled with dense bone structure, thick fat layers, and a remarkable ability to absorb poorly placed shots. A 350 to 405-grain hard-cast or bonded bullet at 1,600 to 1,800 fps provides the deep, straight-line penetration that anchors bears quickly. This is where the 45-70’s big-bore heritage truly shines – you’re not relying on expansion or fragmentation. You’re relying on a nearly half-inch-diameter hole through both lungs.
Bullet Selection for Bear
The controlled expansion versus deep penetration debate matters here. For black bear over bait at known distances, a bonded soft point like the Swift A-Frame 350-grain offers excellent weight retention and reliable expansion. For spot-and-stalk in thick timber where follow-up shots may be difficult and angles unpredictable, hard-cast lead in the 400 to 405-grain range is the safer choice. These bullets won’t expand much, but they’ll punch through a shoulder and keep going. A classic load is 405 grains of hard-cast lead over 38 to 40 grains of H4198 for lever-action pressures – roughly 1,550 to 1,650 fps from an 18-inch barrel. It’s not flashy, but it has been killing bears in the timber for generations.
Elk and Moose Loads Inside 150 Yards
Taking elk or moose with a 45-70 is entirely ethical – with conditions. You need to be inside 150 yards, ideally closer to 100. You need a heavy bullet. And you need to accept that this is a timber and thick-country proposition, not an open-basin cartridge. A 400 to 405-grain bonded or partition-style bullet at 1,700 to 1,800 fps delivers 2,500+ ft-lbs at the muzzle and retains roughly 1,500 ft-lbs at 100 yards. That’s adequate for elk-sized game, but there’s no margin for sloppy shot placement or excessive range.
Quick Checklist – Elk and Moose Load Requirements
- Bullet weight: 400-405 grains minimum
- Construction: Bonded, partition, or hard-cast – no standard cup-and-core
- Muzzle velocity: 1,700 fps minimum from your barrel
- Energy at impact distance: 1,500 ft-lbs or more
- Maximum ethical range: 150 yards lever-action, 175 yards single-shot
- Shot placement: Broadside double-lung preferred – avoid heavy quartering angles at distance
- Follow-up capability: Practice fast lever cycling or have a backup plan
- Optics: A low-power scope (1-4x or 2-7x) is strongly recommended over iron sights for elk-sized game
For moose in Canadian timber, the same load profile works exceptionally well. Moose are large-bodied but relatively thin-skinned compared to elk, and most encounters in heavy cover happen inside 80 yards. A 405-grain hard-cast flat nose at 1,750 fps from a lever gun has been a proven moose medicine in Ontario and British Columbia for decades. If you’re shopping for an optic for this kind of hunting, look for something rugged with generous eye relief that handles the 45-70’s recoil without punishing your brow.
Common Mistakes in 45-70 Load Building
Even experienced handloaders make errors when building 45-70 hunting loads. The cartridge’s long history and multiple pressure tiers create confusion that doesn’t exist with most modern cartridges. Here are the most common problems:
- Mixing up pressure tiers. Loading data marked for single-shot or Ruger-only pressures in a lever-action or trapdoor can be dangerous. Always match your load data to your specific platform.
- Using bullets too light for the game. A 300-grain bullet at 2,000 fps might shoot flat, but it gives up the 45-70’s primary advantage – heavy bullet momentum and penetration.
- Expecting long-range performance. Trying to stretch the 45-70 past 200 yards leads to poor hits and wounded game. Know your drop and respect it.
- Neglecting crimp. In a tubular magazine lever gun, heavy recoil can push bullets deeper into the case during the magazine cycle. A firm roll crimp in the cannelure is mandatory for safety and consistency.
- Over-relying on velocity. Pushing a 45-70 to maximum velocity doesn’t always improve terminal performance. A 405-grain bullet at 1,600 fps kills just as dead as one at 1,800 fps if placement is good – and the slower load is easier to shoot accurately.
- Skipping the chronograph. Published velocities assume a specific barrel length and lot of powder. Your actual velocity may differ by 100 fps or more. Verify your loads before hunting season.
- Using inappropriate bullets for dangerous game. If you load for grizzly or brown bear, standard jacketed soft points are the wrong choice. Hard-cast lead at 400 grains or heavier, or premium bonded bullets designed for deep penetration, are the only responsible options.
FAQ – 45-70 Hunting Load Selection
Is the 45-70 enough for grizzly bear?
Yes, with the right load. Guides in Alaska and northern Canada have respected the 45-70 for decades as both a primary and backup dangerous game rifle. The key is bullet selection – 400 to 500-grain hard-cast or bonded bullets designed for maximum penetration. Expansion is secondary. You need to break heavy bone and reach vitals from any angle.
How does the 45-70 compare to factory ammo like Hornady LEVERevolution?
LEVERevolution is a solid factory option – the 325-grain FTX at roughly 2,050 fps from a 24-inch barrel offers the flattest trajectory available in a lever-safe load. Handloads give you more flexibility in bullet weight and construction, and typically cost $0.75 to $1.00 per round versus $2.50 or more for premium factory ammo. For most hunters, handloading the 45-70 pays for itself within a few range sessions.
Can I use the same 45-70 load for deer and elk?
You can, but you probably shouldn’t. A 405-grain hard-cast load built for elk will blow through a whitetail with minimal energy transfer and potentially create a small wound channel. A 300 to 350-grain expanding bullet built for deer won’t penetrate deeply enough on a quartering elk. Build separate loads for each purpose – the 45-70 rewards specificity.
What powder works best for 45-70 hunting loads?
IMR 3031 and H4198 are the two most popular and versatile powders for 45-70 hunting loads across all pressure tiers. They meter well, fill the case appropriately, and produce consistent velocities. Reloder 7 is another excellent option for heavier bullets at lever-action pressures. Always use current published load data from a reputable manual.
Do I need a scope for 45-70 hunting?
For whitetail and hog hunting inside 100 yards, quality iron sights work fine. For anything beyond that – especially elk, moose, or bear where precise shot placement is critical – a low-power variable scope in the 1-4x or 2-7x range is a smart investment. Look for long eye relief and a simple reticle.
Quick Takeaways
- Match your load to the animal – the 45-70’s versatility is its greatest strength, but only if you use it
- Respect platform pressure limits – lever-action, single-shot, and trapdoor loads are not interchangeable
- Heavy bullets win for anything bigger than deer – 400 grains and up for elk, moose, and bear
- Keep shots inside your effective range – 150 yards for most lever guns, 200 yards maximum for single-shots with optics
- Crimp every round loaded for a tubular magazine
- Verify velocity with a chronograph before hunting season – published data is a starting point, not a guarantee
