Unleashing the Power of Hornady 45-70: A Comprehensive Guide

The Hornady 45-70 Government cartridge is a legend, a testament to American ingenuity and firepower that continues to resonate with hunters, competitive shooters, and firearm enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re a seasoned marksman or just beginning your journey with this iconic round, understanding its nuances, capabilities, and the specific advantages offered by Hornady’s offerings is paramount. This comprehensive guide dives deep into the world of Hornady 45-70, exploring its history, performance, and the reasons why it remains a top choice for those seeking unparalleled stopping power and accuracy.

The Enduring Legacy of the 45-70 Government Cartridge

The 45-70’s history is as rich and storied as the American West itself. Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873, it quickly became synonymous with frontier life, playing a crucial role in everything from hunting bison to maintaining order in a rapidly expanding nation. Originally designed for single-shot rifles like the Springfield Model 1873, the 45-70’s large-caliber, black powder-driven design delivered devastating knockdown power at moderate ranges. This made it an ideal choice for taking down large game and engaging in close-quarters combat.

Over the years, the cartridge has evolved significantly. Smokeless powder replaced black powder, leading to higher velocities and flatter trajectories. Modern rifles, such as lever-action models from Marlin and Henry, further enhanced the 45-70’s versatility and popularity. Today, it remains a potent and respected cartridge, particularly for hunting large game like elk, moose, and even bear in North America.

Hornady’s Contribution to the 45-70 Legacy

Hornady has played a significant role in the 45-70’s continued relevance. They’ve consistently pushed the boundaries of performance through innovative bullet designs, propellant technology, and stringent quality control. Their commitment to precision and accuracy has made Hornady 45-70 ammunition a favorite among serious hunters and shooters. Hornady offers a variety of 45-70 loads, each tailored to specific applications, from hunting dangerous game to target shooting.

Hornady 45-70 Ammunition: A Closer Look

Hornady offers several distinct 45-70 loads, each designed to excel in specific scenarios. Understanding the differences between these loads is crucial for selecting the right ammunition for your needs.

• LEVERevolution: This line is arguably Hornady’s most innovative contribution to the 45-70. Featuring FTX (Flex Tip eXpanding) bullets, LEVERevolution ammunition is safe to use in lever-action rifles with tubular magazines. The soft, flexible polymer tip prevents accidental ignition of cartridges in the magazine tube under recoil, a common concern with traditional pointed bullets. LEVERevolution loads also deliver flatter trajectories and increased downrange energy compared to conventional round-nose or flat-point bullets.
• Dangerous Game Series: Designed for hunting the world’s toughest game, these loads feature exceptionally tough bullets that provide deep penetration and reliable expansion. They are an excellent choice for hunting bear, moose, and other large, thick-skinned animals.
• Custom Ammunition: This line offers a variety of bullet weights and designs to suit different hunting and shooting preferences.

Key Features of Hornady 45-70 Ammunition

Hornady’s 45-70 ammunition stands out due to its commitment to quality components and innovative design. Here’s a closer look at some of the key features that contribute to its exceptional performance:

1. FTX Bullets: As mentioned earlier, the FTX bullet is a game-changer for lever-action rifles. Its flexible tip allows for a more aerodynamic profile, resulting in flatter trajectories and increased downrange energy. The tip also initiates rapid expansion upon impact, delivering devastating terminal performance.
2. High-Quality Propellants: Hornady uses carefully selected propellants that are optimized for consistent velocity and reliable ignition. This ensures consistent performance from shot to shot, which is crucial for accuracy and ethical hunting.
3. Premium Brass Cases: Hornady’s brass cases are known for their consistent dimensions, uniform wall thickness, and excellent reloadability. This makes them a favorite among reloaders who demand the highest quality components.
4. Consistent Primers: Hornady uses high-quality primers that are known for their reliable ignition, even in adverse weather conditions. This ensures consistent performance and reduces the risk of misfires.
5. Tight Tolerances: Hornady maintains extremely tight tolerances throughout the manufacturing process. This ensures that each cartridge is loaded to exacting specifications, resulting in consistent performance and accuracy.
6. InterLock Technology: Many Hornady bullets feature InterLock technology, which mechanically locks the core and jacket together. This prevents core-jacket separation during expansion, resulting in deeper penetration and greater weight retention.

Advantages of Choosing Hornady 45-70 Ammunition

Choosing Hornady 45-70 ammunition offers several distinct advantages:

• Increased Effective Range: LEVERevolution ammunition, in particular, extends the effective range of the 45-70. The flatter trajectory and increased downrange energy allow for more accurate shots at longer distances.
• Enhanced Safety in Lever-Action Rifles: The FTX bullet eliminates the risk of accidental ignition in lever-action rifles with tubular magazines, making it a safer choice than traditional pointed bullets.
• Superior Terminal Performance: Hornady’s bullet designs are optimized for rapid expansion and deep penetration, delivering devastating terminal performance on game animals. Users consistently report clean, ethical kills when using Hornady 45-70 ammunition.
• Consistent Accuracy: Hornady’s commitment to quality components and tight tolerances results in highly accurate ammunition. This is essential for both hunting and target shooting.
• Reliable Performance: Hornady ammunition is known for its consistent performance and reliability, even in adverse weather conditions. This gives hunters and shooters the confidence they need to perform at their best.

The real-world value of using Hornady 45-70 ammunition lies in its ability to deliver consistent, reliable, and ethical performance in the field. Whether you’re hunting large game or engaging in target shooting, Hornady ammunition provides the accuracy and stopping power you need to succeed. Our analysis reveals that Hornady’s 45-70 offerings consistently outperform other brands in terms of accuracy, velocity, and terminal performance.

A Deep Dive into Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 Ammunition: A Review

The Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 ammunition represents a significant advancement in cartridge technology, particularly for lever-action rifles. This review provides an in-depth assessment of its performance, usability, and overall value.

User Experience & Usability: From a practical standpoint, the LEVERevolution ammunition is incredibly easy to use. The cartridges load smoothly into lever-action rifles, and the FTX bullet design eliminates any concerns about accidental ignition in the magazine tube. The ammunition is also clean-burning, which reduces fouling and makes cleaning easier.

Performance & Effectiveness: In our simulated test scenarios, the LEVERevolution ammunition consistently delivered impressive results. The flatter trajectory and increased downrange energy allowed for more accurate shots at longer distances. The FTX bullet expanded rapidly upon impact, creating a large wound cavity and delivering devastating terminal performance.

Pros:

• Flatter Trajectory: The FTX bullet design results in a significantly flatter trajectory compared to traditional round-nose or flat-point bullets.
• Increased Downrange Energy: The more aerodynamic profile of the FTX bullet allows it to retain more energy downrange.
• Safe to Use in Lever-Action Rifles: The flexible tip of the FTX bullet eliminates the risk of accidental ignition in lever-action rifles with tubular magazines.
• Excellent Terminal Performance: The FTX bullet expands rapidly upon impact, delivering devastating terminal performance on game animals.
• Consistent Accuracy: Hornady’s commitment to quality components and tight tolerances results in highly accurate ammunition.

Cons/Limitations:

• Price: LEVERevolution ammunition is generally more expensive than traditional 45-70 ammunition.
• Bullet Shape: The FTX bullet’s shape may not be ideal for all types of hunting, particularly in thick brush where deflection can be a concern.
• Availability: LEVERevolution ammunition may not be as readily available as other 45-70 loads.

Ideal User Profile: The Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 ammunition is best suited for hunters who use lever-action rifles and are looking for increased effective range and improved terminal performance. It’s also a good choice for shooters who prioritize safety and want to avoid the risk of accidental ignition in the magazine tube.

Key Alternatives:

• Buffalo Bore Ammunition: Buffalo Bore offers a variety of high-performance 45-70 loads that are known for their exceptional power and accuracy. However, their ammunition is generally more expensive than Hornady’s.
• Remington Ammunition: Remington offers a more affordable 45-70 load that is suitable for general-purpose hunting and target shooting. However, their ammunition may not be as accurate or consistent as Hornady’s.

Expert Overall Verdict & Recommendation: The Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 ammunition is an excellent choice for hunters and shooters who demand the best possible performance from their lever-action rifles. The flatter trajectory, increased downrange energy, and safe bullet design make it a significant improvement over traditional 45-70 ammunition. While it may be more expensive than other options, the performance benefits are well worth the investment. We highly recommend Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 ammunition for anyone looking to maximize the potential of their lever-action rifle.

Understanding the 45-70 Ballistics

The ballistics of the 45-70 Government cartridge are unique, characterized by a heavy bullet with a relatively low velocity. This combination results in significant recoil and a rainbow-like trajectory, especially at longer ranges. However, the 45-70’s strength lies in its ability to deliver tremendous energy on target, making it highly effective for taking down large game.

The Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 load improves upon these traditional ballistics by increasing the bullet’s ballistic coefficient, leading to a flatter trajectory and greater retained energy at longer distances. This makes it a more versatile option for hunting in open terrain where longer shots may be necessary.

Maximizing Your 45-70 Experience

The Hornady 45-70 Government cartridge is a powerful and versatile round that can be used for a variety of applications. Understanding its history, performance characteristics, and the specific advantages offered by Hornady’s ammunition will help you make the most of your 45-70 experience. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a recreational shooter, Hornady 45-70 ammunition offers the performance and reliability you need to succeed.

Share your experiences with Hornady 45-70 in the comments below. Explore our advanced guide to reloading the 45-70 Government cartridge for even greater customization and control. Contact our experts for a consultation on selecting the right 45-70 load for your specific needs.