45-70 Ballistics: Chart, Bullet Drop and Trajectory

Understanding 45-70 ballistics requires looking at how different bullet weights and velocities perform across various distances. The 45-70 Government is a versatile cartridge with loads ranging from low pressure options for antique rifles to modern high pressure hunting rounds. The data below outlines key performance metrics for popular factory loads to help you select the right ammunition for your needs.

45-70 Ballistics Chart

Bullet Weight	Bullet Type	Manufacturer and Load	Muzzle Velocity	Velocity At 50 Yards	Velocity At 100 Yards	Velocity At 150 Yards	Velocity At 200 Yards	Velocity At 300 Yards	Muzzle Energy	Energy At 50 Yards	Energy At 100 Yards	Energy At 150 Yards	Energy At 200 Yards	Energy At 300 Yards	Bullet Drop At 50 Yards	Bullet Drop At 100 Yards	Bullet Drop At 150 Yards	Bullet Drop At 200 Yards	Bullet Drop At 300 Yards	Trajectory At 50 Yards	Trajectory At 100 Yards	Trajectory At 150 Yards	Trajectory At 200 Yards	Trajectory At 300 Yards	Ballistic Coefficient
325 gr	FTX	Hornady LEVERevolution	2050 fps	1849 fps	1661 fps	1488 fps	1336 fps	1102 fps	3032 ft-lbs	2467 ft-lbs	1991 ft-lbs	1597 ft-lbs	1288 ft-lbs	876 ft-lbs	1.8 in	7.6 in	18.2 in	34.5 in	85.2 in	1.2 in	0.0 in	-4.1 in	-11.7 in	-41.7 in	0.230
300 gr	JHP	Winchester Super-X	1880 fps	1665 fps	1466 fps	1292 fps	1146 fps	946 fps	2355 ft-lbs	1846 ft-lbs	1431 ft-lbs	1111 ft-lbs	875 ft-lbs	596 ft-lbs	2.2 in	9.4 in	22.8 in	43.6 in	108.4 in	1.5 in	0.0 in	-4.8 in	-13.6 in	-48.5 in	0.189
405 gr	SP	Remington Core-Lokt	1330 fps	1244 fps	1170 fps	1107 fps	1052 fps	966 fps	1590 ft-lbs	1391 ft-lbs	1230 ft-lbs	1102 ft-lbs	995 ft-lbs	839 ft-lbs	4.4 in	18.5 in	43.8 in	81.2 in	196.5 in	2.4 in	0.0 in	-6.8 in	-18.5 in	-60.2 in	0.281
300 gr	JHP	Federal Power-Shok	1850 fps	1630 fps	1430 fps	1260 fps	1120 fps	930 fps	2280 ft-lbs	1770 ft-lbs	1362 ft-lbs	1057 ft-lbs	835 ft-lbs	576 ft-lbs	2.3 in	9.8 in	23.6 in	45.2 in	112.5 in	1.6 in	0.0 in	-5.1 in	-14.2 in	-50.8 in	0.185

Note: Trajectory figures assume a 100-yard zero and a 1.5-inch sight height. Bullet drop indicates pure gravitational fall from the bore line. Pressure limits vary by manufacturer; always verify your rifle can handle specific modern loads.

45-70 Bullet Drop Chart

Manufacturer and Load	Bullet Weight	Sight-In Distance	Bullet Drop At 50 Yards	Bullet Drop At 100 Yards	Bullet Drop At 150 Yards	Bullet Drop At 200 Yards	Bullet Drop At 300 Yards
Hornady LEVERevolution FTX	325 gr	100 Yards	1.8 in	7.6 in	18.2 in	34.5 in	85.2 in
Winchester Super-X JHP	300 gr	100 Yards	2.2 in	9.4 in	22.8 in	43.6 in	108.4 in
Remington Core-Lokt SP	405 gr	100 Yards	4.4 in	18.5 in	43.8 in	81.2 in	196.5 in

Bullet Drop Analysis

• The Remington 405 grain load drops 81.2 inches at 200 yards due to its lower starting velocity of 1330 fps.
• The Hornady 325 grain load experiences only 34.5 inches of drop at 200 yards.
• By 300 yards the 300 grain Winchester load falls 108.4 inches from the bore line.
• Pure bullet drop reflects gravity acting on the projectile independent of the sights.

45-70 Trajectory Chart

Manufacturer and Load	Bullet Weight	Sight-In Distance	Trajectory At 50 Yards	Trajectory At 100 Yards	Trajectory At 150 Yards	Trajectory At 200 Yards	Trajectory At 300 Yards
Hornady LEVERevolution FTX	325 gr	100 Yards	1.2 in	0.0 in	-4.1 in	-11.7 in	-41.7 in
Winchester Super-X JHP	300 gr	100 Yards	1.5 in	0.0 in	-4.8 in	-13.6 in	-48.5 in
Remington Core-Lokt SP	405 gr	100 Yards	2.4 in	0.0 in	-6.8 in	-18.5 in	-60.2 in

Note: Trajectory is measured relative to a 1.5-inch line of sight. Negative numbers indicate the bullet striking below the point of aim.

45-70 Ammo Ballistics

Different 45-70 ammo ballistics reflect the broad spectrum of rifle actions in circulation. Modern lever action ammunition features higher velocities and polymer-tipped bullets while traditional loads retain moderate velocities safe for older rifle designs.

Manufacturer and Load	Bullet Weight	Muzzle Velocity	Velocity At 200 Yards	Muzzle Energy	Energy At 200 Yards
Hornady LEVERevolution FTX	325 gr	2050 fps	1336 fps	3032 ft-lbs	1288 ft-lbs
Winchester Super-X JHP	300 gr	1880 fps	1146 fps	2355 ft-lbs	875 ft-lbs
Remington Core-Lokt SP	405 gr	1330 fps	1052 fps	1590 ft-lbs	995 ft-lbs

Downrange Performance Comparison

• Hornady LEVERevolution generates a massive 3032 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle.
• The Remington 405 grain load retains 1052 fps at 200 yards.
• Winchester Super-X loses over half its muzzle energy by 150 yards due to poor aerodynamics.
• Higher velocity loads strictly require modern, strong-action rifles like the Marlin 1895.

45-70 Government Ballistics by Bullet Weight

Bullet weight directly impacts 45-70 govt ballistics by changing the balance of velocity, recoil, and downrange momentum. Lighter 300 grain bullets shoot flatter at short ranges while heavier 405 grain projectiles retain momentum and resist wind deflection.

Bullet Weight	Manufacturer and Load	Muzzle Velocity	Muzzle Energy	Trajectory At 200 Yards
300 gr	Federal Power-Shok JHP	1850 fps	2280 ft-lbs	-14.2 in
325 gr	Hornady LEVERevolution FTX	2050 fps	3032 ft-lbs	-11.7 in
405 gr	Remington Core-Lokt SP	1330 fps	1590 ft-lbs	-18.5 in

Weight and Performance Metrics

• The 300 grain Federal load drops 14.2 inches at 200 yards.
• The 325 grain Hornady load provides the flattest trajectory at -11.7 inches at 200 yards.
• The 405 grain Remington load has the lowest starting energy but retains penetrating capability on heavy game.

45-70 Velocity and Energy Chart

Manufacturer and Load	Muzzle Velocity	Velocity At 150 Yards	Muzzle Energy	Energy At 150 Yards
Hornady LEVERevolution 325 gr	2050 fps	1488 fps	3032 ft-lbs	1597 ft-lbs
Winchester Super-X 300 gr	1880 fps	1292 fps	2355 ft-lbs	1111 ft-lbs
Remington Core-Lokt 405 gr	1330 fps	1107 fps	1590 ft-lbs	1102 ft-lbs

Velocity and Energy Retention

• Hornady’s 325 grain bullet sheds 562 fps over the first 150 yards.
• The Remington 405 grain load loses only 223 fps over the same 150-yard distance.
• Winchester’s 300 grain hollow point retains 1111 ft-lbs of energy at 150 yards.

Factors That Affect 45-70 Ballistics

Bullet Weight and Bullet Design

Traditional flat nose and hollow point bullets shed velocity rapidly. Modern polymer tipped bullets like the FTX offer better aerodynamics for extended range performance. Heavy bullets carry more momentum but start with lower initial velocity.

Muzzle Velocity

Loads range from a mild 1300 fps to over 2000 fps. Higher muzzle velocity translates to a flatter 45-70 bullet drop chart and shorter flight times.

Ballistic Coefficient and Aerodynamic Drag

The .45-70 inherently utilizes low ballistic coefficient projectiles. Values typically range from 0.180 to 0.290. Low BC numbers mean the bullets lose velocity and energy quickly due to air resistance.

Sight-In Distance and Sight Height

A 100-yard zero is standard for most 45-70 hunting applications. Taller sights alter the trajectory curve and dictate how high the bullet arcs above the line of sight at mid-range distances.

Rifle Barrel Length

Most manufacturer velocity data is gathered using 24-inch test barrels. Shorter 18.5-inch guide gun barrels will produce lower velocities and slightly more drop at distance.

Environmental Conditions

Altitude, temperature, and humidity alter air density. Dense cold air increases drag and causes the bullet to drop faster at extended ranges past 150 yards.

Differences Between Ammunition Manufacturers

Companies load the 45-70 for different intended uses. Federal and Winchester focus on traditional hunting performance while Hornady pushes velocity boundaries with proprietary powders.

Ammunition Pressure Category and Firearm Compatibility

Shooters must match ammunition to their firearm action strength. Trapdoor Springfields require low pressure loads under 28000 CUP. Marlin 1895 lever actions can handle medium pressure up to 40000 CUP. Ruger No. 1 single shots can safely fire high pressure loads.

How Far Can a 45-70 Bullet Travel?

The maximum theoretical travel distance of a .45-70 bullet fired at an optimal upward angle can exceed a mile. Practical performance is entirely different. Most hunters consider the effective range on medium game to be 150 to 200 yards depending on the specific load. Modern loads from Hornady can push the ethical hunting range slightly past 200 yards if the shooter accurately accounts for the steep trajectory. Accuracy falls off significantly past 300 yards due to the subsonic transition and rapid energy depletion.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is .45-70 ballistics?

It is the study of how a .45-70 Government bullet travels through the air including its velocity, energy, drop, and trajectory from the muzzle to the target.

2. Where can I find a 45-70 ballistics chart?

A complete reference table is located at the top of this article detailing velocities, energies, and trajectories for several major factory ammunition loads.

3. What is the effective range of a .45-70 Government rifle?

The effective hunting range is generally 150 to 200 yards depending on the ammunition pressure category and the specific bullet design used.

4. How much does a .45-70 bullet drop at 100 yards?

A traditional 405 grain bullet will drop about 18.5 inches from the absolute bore line at 100 yards. If sighted in for 100 yards, the trajectory at that distance is zero.

5. How much does a .45-70 bullet drop at 200 yards?

Depending on the load, absolute bullet drop ranges from 34 inches for high velocity polymer tipped loads to over 80 inches for traditional slow moving loads.

6. What is the trajectory of a .45-70 bullet at 300 yards?

When zeroed at 100 yards, a standard .45-70 bullet will strike between 41 and 60 inches low at 300 yards.

7. How fast does a .45-70 bullet travel?

Factory ammunition muzzle velocities range from roughly 1300 fps for antique-safe loads to 2050 fps for modern high pressure lever action loads.

8. How much energy does a .45-70 bullet produce?

Muzzle energy ranges from 1500 ft-lbs for low pressure trapdoor loads to over 3000 ft-lbs for modern high velocity hunting loads.

9. Does bullet weight affect .45-70 ballistics?

Yes. Lighter 300 grain bullets launch faster and shoot flatter at close range while heavier 405 grain bullets resist wind deflection and retain momentum better.

10. Are all .45-70 Government ammunition loads suitable for every rifle?

No. High pressure modern loads will destroy antique Trapdoor Springfield rifles. You must verify that your specific rifle action is rated for the pressure of your chosen ammunition.