The .45-70 started life as a military round (.45-70 Government) in the US Model 1873 (Trapdoor) Springfield rifle. It also became widely popular among civilians, primarily in single-shot and lever-action rifles. Today it remains popular among traditional and black powder shooters and is still widely used by hunters using modern rifles such as the Marlin Model 1895, Winchester/USRAC and Browning Model 1886’s, Sharps Model 1874 reproductions and many others.

The .45-70 has also been chambered in revolvers and single-shot pistols such as the Thompson/Center Encore used to develop the accompanying data.

When using the 350-grain Hornady Interlock FP bullet, seated and crimped with an overall length of 2.530 inches, the bullet contacted the leade of my test barrel. These loads were then checked in three other T/C chambers (including one Contender barrel and two Encores), and it contacted the leade on two of the three barrels. The Hornady 350-grain Interlock RN bullet features a different ogive profile, which allowed it to chamber without difficulty.

Hodgdon H-322 and IMR-4198 powders produced the best overall accuracy with 300- and 350-grain bullets.