The 45-70 Government: A Timeless Cartridge
A Cartridge Steeped in History
The 45-70 Government, a cartridge steeped in history, still holds a prominent position in the world of shooting and hunting. Born from the need for a powerful and reliable round for the US military in the late nineteenth century, the 45-70 quickly proved its worth. It was chambered in the iconic Springfield Model rifle, becoming synonymous with the era of the American West. This cartridge has endured through the evolution of firearms and continues to captivate enthusiasts with its significant stopping power, accuracy, and versatility. Its legacy resonates in the modern era, where it is enjoyed by hunters and target shooters alike.
The Advantages of Reloading for the 45-70
Cost Savings and Customization
Reloading, the practice of creating your own ammunition, offers a range of advantages for those who enjoy the 45-70. Cost savings are a significant motivator. By purchasing components like bullets, brass, primers, and powder separately, reloaders can often reduce the overall cost per round compared to buying factory-loaded ammunition.
Customization is another key benefit. Reloaders have the freedom to fine-tune their loads to match the specific performance characteristics of their firearms and the intended use. This allows for optimization in areas such as accuracy, velocity, and felt recoil. They may select the perfect bullet weight, powder type, and primer to suit their needs.
Another advantage of reloading lies in the ability to access components that might not be readily available in factory-loaded ammunition. This is especially pertinent for niche or older firearms, where factory ammo may be scarce.
Hornady: A Trusted Name in Reloading
Quality and Reliability
When it comes to reloading, the quality of the components is paramount. Hornady, a well-respected name in the industry, has a long-standing reputation for manufacturing high-quality reloading components. Their bullets, brass, and other accessories are trusted by shooters around the world for their accuracy, consistency, and reliability. From bullets designed to expand upon impact to brass engineered for durability, Hornady provides reloaders with premium products designed to enhance performance.
This Article’s Goal
Comprehensive Guide
The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive guide to 45-70 reloading data using Hornady components. We’ll delve into the components offered by Hornady, explore various load data combinations, and emphasize the importance of safety throughout the reloading process. We aim to equip you with the information needed to safely and effectively reload the 45-70. We will focus on bullet selection, powder choices, and safety, offering insights into crafting reliable and accurate ammunition.
Understanding the 45-70 Government
More Than Measurements
A cartridge is more than just its measurements; it’s a product of its history, its ballistics, and its purpose. The 45-70 Government embodies these aspects, providing a potent blend of power, accuracy, and flexibility.
A Brief Glance at History
The 45-70, or 45-70 Government, entered the scene in the late 1800s and quickly gained a reputation. It played a vital role in the military and later transitioned into a favorite among hunters and target shooters.
Examining Ballistics
The 45-70’s ballistics demonstrate its potency. It typically handles bullet weights from around three hundred grains to over five hundred grains. Muzzle velocities can range from around fourteen hundred to over eighteen hundred feet per second, depending on the load and firearm. Energy on impact is substantial, making it effective for hunting large game.
The 45-70’s Versatility
The 45-70 is known for its versatility, finding a home in various firearms, including lever-action rifles, single-shot rifles, and even some modern bolt-action designs. Its adaptability makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from hunting big game to target shooting at various distances.
Selecting the Right Components: Hornady’s Role
Critical Choices
To reload the 45-70 effectively, you need to choose components that meet specific needs. The quality of these components directly impacts your results, making it essential to choose wisely.
Hornady Bullets
Hornady offers several bullet options for the 45-70, catering to different shooting needs. Careful bullet selection is critical for achieving desired performance.
Bullet Weight Choices
Choosing the right bullet weight depends on your intended use. Lighter bullets often offer flatter trajectories and higher velocities, making them suitable for longer-range shots. Heavier bullets tend to maintain more energy at longer ranges, and are preferred for hunting large game. Hornady offers a wide selection, ensuring reloaders can tailor their loads to match any application.
Understanding Bullet Shape and Construction
Bullet design features such as tip shape, jacket construction, and overall design influence performance in various ways. These factors affect both accuracy and terminal performance. Hornady’s bullet designs are often crafted with precision for consistent performance.
Hornady Brass
High-quality brass is vital for consistent performance. Hornady brass is known for its durability, dimensional consistency, and ability to withstand repeated loading cycles.
Brass Preparation
Before reloading, brass preparation is crucial. This involves cleaning, trimming to the correct length, deburring, and chamfering the case mouths, and uniforming the primer pockets. These steps ensure the proper function of the ammunition and contribute to enhanced accuracy.
Hornady Primers
Primers are the ignition source, playing a critical role in the overall performance. Proper primer selection can significantly affect accuracy.
Selecting the Right Primer Type
Choose primers designed for large rifle cartridges. These are designed to reliably ignite the chosen powder charge.
Reloading Data with Hornady Components
Important Disclaimer
The following data is intended for reference purposes only. ALWAYS consult the most recent reloading manuals from Hornady, as well as powder manufacturers.
Choosing Powders
Powder selection is crucial in crafting effective and accurate loads. The 45-70 works well with a variety of powders.
Data Charts (Always Verify With Current Sources)
The following data points are for example purposes only and may vary depending on the load. This information should be used in conjunction with, and always verified against, current Hornady reloading manuals. Always start with the minimum powder charge and carefully work up your load. This chart is merely illustrative; reloaders must refer to specific data for their selected components.
| Bullet Type (Hornady) | Bullet Weight (Grains) | Powder Type | Starting Load (Grains) | Velocity (fps) | Maximum Load (Grains) | Velocity (fps) | Primer Type | Case Length (inches) | C.O.A.L. (inches) |
| :——————— | :——————– | :—————- | :——————— | :————- | :——————— | :————- | :———– | :——————— | :—————– |
| FTX | 250 | IMR 4198 | 47.0 | 1700 | 52.0 | 1900 | Large Rifle | 2.105 | 2.525 |
| InterLock | 300 | Hodgdon H4198 | 44.0 | 1550 | 49.0 | 1700 | Large Rifle | 2.105 | 2.550 |
| XTP | 300 | IMR 3031 | 46.0 | 1600 | 51.0 | 1750 | Large Rifle | 2.105 | 2.550 |
| FTX | 325 | Reloader 7 | 45.0 | 1500 | 49.0 | 1650 | Large Rifle | 2.105 | 2.550 |
| InterLock | 350 | IMR 4064 | 48.0 | 1500 | 53.0 | 1650 | Large Rifle | 2.105 | 2.625 |
| XTP | 405 | IMR 4198 | 38.0 | 1250 | 42.0 | 1400 | Large Rifle | 2.105 | 2.650 |
Disclaimer: The load data provided above are examples only and should not be used without consulting current reloading manuals from Hornady and the powder manufacturer. These values are based on the specific components tested in a controlled environment. Reloading is a potentially dangerous activity. It is the user’s responsibility to adhere to all safety precautions, verify all data, and inspect all ammunition for safety.
Working Up Your Loads Safely
A Gradual Approach
Reloading involves working up a load gradually. Start with the starting load and increase the powder charge in small increments, carefully monitoring for signs of excessive pressure, such as flattened primers, sticky bolt lift, or case head expansion.
Reloading Safety: A Paramount Consideration
Safety First
Safety must always be the top priority when reloading. Strict adherence to safe practices is crucial to preventing accidents and ensuring a positive reloading experience.
Equipment Checks
Inspect your reloading equipment before each session. Make sure everything is in good working order.
Storage of Components
Proper storage of powders, primers, and loaded ammunition is crucial to maintaining safety. Follow the manufacturers’ guidelines for storage and avoid storing these components in environments where they could be exposed to extreme temperatures or humidity.
Recognizing Over-Pressure Signs
Familiarize yourself with the signs of excessive pressure, such as flattened primers, sticky bolt lift, and expanded case heads. Stop immediately if you notice any of these signs and consult your reloading manual for guidance.
Case Inspection
Carefully inspect brass cases for damage before reloading. Discard any cases with cracks, bulges, or other signs of wear and tear.
Essential Tools and Equipment
The Right Tools
Reloading requires specialized tools and equipment. Having the right tools makes the process easier and helps ensure consistent results.
Essential Reloading Tools
A reloading press is the central piece of equipment, providing the force needed to resize brass, seat bullets, and prime cases. Quality dies are required for resizing cases, seating bullets, and crimping. Accurate weighing is critical, so a reliable scale is essential. You’ll need a case trimmer, primer seating tools, powder measure, calipers for measurements, and case preparation tools.
Optional Equipment
You may also want to invest in optional equipment, like a powder trickler, case tumbler, and a bullet puller.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Be Prepared
Sometimes, problems can arise during reloading. Being able to troubleshoot these issues will help keep you safe.
High Pressure Issues
High pressure can cause dangerous situations. Flattened primers, sticky bolt lift, and expanded case heads should all be addressed immediately. Stop and re-evaluate your reloading process.
Issues with Feeding and Extraction
Problems with feeding or extraction can be caused by numerous factors, ranging from incorrect case dimensions to improper load development.
Inconsistent Accuracy
Inconsistent accuracy may be caused by a variety of factors, including improper bullet seating, inconsistent powder charges, or poorly prepared cases.
Further Issues
Other issues that might come up include issues with primers, powder charging, and seating.
Conclusion: Reloading with Confidence
Recap and Encouragement
This guide provides foundational information to safely and effectively reload the 45-70. Remember to always prioritize safety and use the most current data.
Further Resources
Embrace this skill responsibly and continue to learn and refine your knowledge. Consider consulting resources like Hornady reloading manuals.
Always practice safe reloading and refer to the most up to date manuals. Reloading is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby when undertaken with the right knowledge and approach.
