“.45-70 government”

Contributor Dennis Bradley compares two big-bore powerhouses: the .45-70 Government and a relative newcomer, the .458 SOCOM.

Introduced in 2020, as a tribute to the golden age of big-game hunting, the Uberti USA 1885 Courteney Stalking Rifle is now being manufactured in the ever-popular .45-70 Government chambering.

Contributor Barb Melloni takes her readers through the process of reloading the .45-70, and her eventually precise result.

Both are cartridges are suitable for nearly any big-game animal, save the African dangerous heavyweights, and both have fervent, passionate followers. Contributor Philip Massaro takes a closer look at the similarities, differences and applications of each.

Modern features meet classic lever-action design in this potent big-bore hunting rifle.

Federal's lever-action focused line of HammerDown ammunition already included options such as .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .30-30 Winchester, .45-70 Government, and more. Now, a 270-grain load of 444 Marlin is available.

Henry Repeating Arms recently discovered a safety issue affecting certain lever action .45-70 Government rifles manufactured between December 14, 2022, and January 11, 2023, and is initiating a voluntary recall.

It’s as big as the Grand Canyon, it’s right at home when chambered in a classic lever gun like the Winchester Model 1886, the Marlin Model 1895 or a classic Sharps falling block, and like America herself, it’s big enough to handle Alaska. Meet the "Most American" rifle cartridge: the .45-70 Government.

Other than the feral hog, the whitetail deer covers more diverse types of terrain than any other game animal, leading hunters to have a wide variety of favorite cartridges. Additionally, whitetail hunters are perhaps the most fervent defenders and proponents of their chosen cartridges, which can range from the .22 Hornet to the .45-70 Government—not to mention the shotgun crowd. How do you even begin a "Top 5?"