Beginner Basics #28 The 45-70 Government Caliber (pros/cons)

Published on December 12, 2020
Duration: 3:51

This video from Ozzie Reviews provides an expert-level overview of the .45-70 Government cartridge, drawing on over 100 years of its history and practical application. The instructor highlights its effectiveness for hunting large North American game, including buffalo and feral pigs, due to its heavy, slow-moving projectile that retains significant energy. The review covers both the pros, such as its stopping power and nostalgic appeal, and cons, like the availability of more modern cartridges with higher energy and the relatively high cost of ammunition.

Quick Summary

The .45-70 Government is a venerable cartridge, over 100 years old, renowned for its effectiveness on large North American game. Its heavy, slow projectile retains significant energy, making it ideal for buffalo and feral pigs. While it offers impressive stopping power and a nostalgic appeal, its cons include the existence of more modern, higher-energy cartridges and a relatively high ammunition cost.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to .45-70 Government
  2. 00:10History and Service of the .45-70
  3. 00:24.45-70 Characteristics: Heavy and Slow
  4. 00:33Personal Experience with .45-70
  5. 00:47Example: Remington 405 Grain Ammo
  6. 01:07Pros and Cons Overview
  7. 01:18Pro: Impressive Punch and Effectiveness
  8. 01:31Ammunition Grain Weights Available
  9. 01:52Pro: Hunting Large Game (Buffalo)
  10. 02:08Pro: Effectiveness on Feral Pigs
  11. 02:43Pro: Retained Energy and Knockdown Power
  12. 02:53Pro: Nostalgia and Lever Action Compatibility
  13. 03:04Cons of the .45-70 Government
  14. 03:07Con: Modern Cartridges with More Energy
  15. 03:16Con: Ammunition Price in Australia
  16. 03:33Conclusion: Enduring Legacy of the .45-70

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the .45-70 Government cartridge effective for hunting large game?

The .45-70 Government is effective due to its heavy, slow-moving projectile that retains significant energy upon impact. This allows it to effectively take down large North American game species like buffalo and feral pigs, even through challenging barriers like mud on a pig's shoulder.

What are the main advantages of using the .45-70 Government caliber?

The primary advantages of the .45-70 Government are its impressive stopping power and retained energy, making it suitable for large and thick-skinned game. It also carries a strong sense of nostalgia and is commonly found in popular lever-action firearms.

What are the disadvantages of the .45-70 Government cartridge?

The main disadvantages of the .45-70 Government include the availability of more modern cartridges that offer higher energy levels. Additionally, the ammunition can be quite expensive, with costs in Australia reaching around $4 per shot, making it costly to practice with extensively.

What types of game can be hunted with the .45-70 Government?

The .45-70 Government is highly capable of hunting a wide range of large North American game. This includes species like buffalo, as well as large feral pigs, particularly in regions where these animals are prevalent and present significant hunting challenges.

More Hunting & Outdoors Videos You Might Like

More from Ozzie Reviews

View all →