Revitalizing a Legend: The Genius Behind Leverevolution
Flex Tip® Technology
The essence of the **Hornady Leverevolution 45-70** lies in its groundbreaking design. The core innovation is the Flex Tip® technology – a flexible, polymer tip inserted into the bullet’s nose. This might seem like a small detail, but it’s a game-changer for lever-action rifles, particularly those with tubular magazines.
Traditional bullets often had a flat or round nose to ensure they wouldn’t ignite the primer of the round in front of them within the magazine, a significant safety concern. The Flex Tip® eliminates this risk. Because the tip is soft and compressible, it’s far less likely to cause accidental ignition, allowing for a more streamlined and aerodynamic bullet profile.
This seemingly small change has significant consequences. The Flex Tip® allows for the creation of bullets with a higher ballistic coefficient. The ballistic coefficient (BC) is a measure of how well a bullet resists air resistance. A higher BC means the bullet flies straighter, retains more velocity over longer distances, and is less affected by wind.
Taking a Closer Look at the Components: What Makes Up a Hornady Leverevolution Round
Components
A closer examination of the **Hornady Leverevolution 45-70** reveals a carefully crafted cartridge built for modern performance. The ammunition typically uses Hornady’s proprietary InterLock bullets, specifically designed for controlled expansion and deep penetration. The InterLock feature, a raised ring within the bullet’s jacket, locks the core and jacket together, ensuring reliable performance upon impact.
The bullets are precisely constructed with high-quality lead cores and carefully designed jackets to achieve both accuracy and consistent expansion. Hornady typically loads these rounds with a carefully selected propellant, custom-tailored to optimize velocity and downrange performance. The primers are consistently reliable, ensuring ignition even in adverse conditions. The cartridge cases themselves are meticulously manufactured to Hornady’s high standards, promoting reliable feeding and consistent chambering in a wide variety of rifles. All these components are meticulously combined to provide shooters with a superior shooting experience that will enhance any hunting activity.
Data and Details: Unveiling the Ballistics
Ballistic Data
Before discussing the results, it’s useful to delve into the specific data. The **Hornady Leverevolution 45-70** typically offers several bullet weight options to cater to diverse hunting needs and preferences. The most common is the 325-grain FTX (Flex Tip® Expanding) bullet. There is also sometimes the 225-grain option, that offers a flatter trajectory. Let’s take a look at the ballistics.
- Bullet Weight: 325 grains
- Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2050 feet per second (fps)
- Velocity at 200 yards: Approximately 1598 fps
- Velocity at 300 yards: Approximately 1330 fps
- Energy at Muzzle: Approximately 3030 foot-pounds (ft-lbs)
- Energy at 200 yards: Approximately 1843 ft-lbs
- Energy at 300 yards: Approximately 1278 ft-lbs
When comparing this to traditional loads, the differences are apparent. The **Hornady Leverevolution 45-70**, with its Flex Tip® and optimized design, allows for flatter trajectories. For example, with a 100-yard zero, the bullet drop at 200 yards is significantly less than that of a comparable flat-nosed bullet. The velocity and energy retention at extended ranges are also superior.
This superior ballistics means that hunters can now extend their effective range with the .45-70, and still have plenty of power on target.
The Performance in the Field: Hitting the Mark
Hunting
This **Hornady Leverevolution 45-70 review** would be incomplete without assessing its real-world performance. In real-world testing, the **Hornady Leverevolution 45-70** has proven to be a capable performer, and the experience using this ammunition is fantastic.
Hunters have reported excellent results on various game animals, including whitetail deer, black bear, and even larger species. The bullet’s controlled expansion ensures deep penetration and effective terminal performance, delivering decisive results. The flatter trajectory also makes it easier to compensate for distance, increasing the likelihood of a successful shot. Experienced hunters have reported clean kills at ranges previously considered difficult with traditional 45-70 loads. The rapid expansion ensures that animals go down quickly. The 325-grain FTX round is a favorite for its balance of trajectory and stopping power.
Target Shooting
Beyond hunting, the **Hornady Leverevolution 45-70** has also performed well at the range. Shooters often report good accuracy, with tight groupings at 100 yards and beyond. The flatter trajectory makes long-range shooting more predictable, especially when using a quality scope. However, with this round it’s important to keep your eyes open for drop off. Consistent accuracy can vary depending on the individual rifle, but overall, the Leverevolution ammunition tends to offer a good level of accuracy for the .45-70 cartridge. The manageable recoil makes this round a joy to shoot.
Analyzing the Good and the Bad: Weighing the Pros and Cons
The Upsides
- Extended Range: The flatter trajectory allows for more accurate shots at longer distances, expanding the effective range of the .45-70.
- Increased Accuracy: Many shooters find that the ammunition delivers excellent accuracy, resulting in tighter groupings on the target.
- Safer Design: The Flex Tip® design is inherently safer for use in lever-action rifles with tubular magazines.
- Effective Terminal Performance: The bullets expand reliably, delivering devastating energy transfer and maximizing the chance of a clean kill.
- Superior Ballistic Coefficient: The high BC results in less wind drift and more energy retention at long ranges.
- Premium Construction: Hornady Leverevolution rounds are made with high-quality components for consistent performance.
The Downsides
- Higher Cost: The ammunition generally costs more than traditional .45-70 loads, reflecting the advanced technology and premium components.
- Bullet Weight Options: While available options, there might not be as many bullet weight choices as offered by some competitors or other ammunition brands.
- Rifle Compatibility: While generally safe, some older or specialized lever-action rifles may have feeding issues.
- Recoil: .45-70 rifles, in general, have a lot of recoil, which can be a downside to some shooters. However, the improved trajectory and down range impact are worth the kick.
Comparison with the Competition: Navigating the Ammunition Landscape
Traditional .45-70 Loads
These loads typically utilize flat-nosed or round-nosed bullets and offer a more affordable option. However, they often have a slower velocity and a more pronounced trajectory, limiting their effective range. While still effective at close range, the trajectory of traditional .45-70 loads is often not nearly as easy to account for when shooting at longer distances.
Other Premium .45-70 Loads
Several ammunition manufacturers offer premium .45-70 loads designed for hunting. These often feature high-quality bullets and advanced designs, but they may not always have the same ballistic advantages as Hornady Leverevolution, particularly in terms of trajectory.
Hornady Leverevolution sets itself apart by combining premium components with cutting-edge bullet technology. The Flex Tip® design and optimized ballistics give it a significant edge in terms of range, accuracy, and downrange energy delivery. The combination of performance and innovation makes it a very attractive option for lever-action rifle owners.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It? Concluding the Hornady Leverevolution 45-70 Review
The Best Recommendation
So, is the **Hornady Leverevolution 45-70** worth the investment? Based on this **Hornady Leverevolution 45-70 review**, the answer is a resounding yes, for the right shooter. It’s a significant upgrade for the .45-70, extending its effective range and improving its accuracy.
The ammunition will appeal to hunters who want to get the most out of their classic lever-action rifles. It offers increased effectiveness, potentially increasing the chance of a successful harvest. Target shooters who appreciate the .45-70’s power and enjoy the challenge of long-range shooting will also find it appealing. The flatter trajectory and superior ballistic performance make the ammunition a great choice for enthusiasts.
The **Hornady Leverevolution 45-70** provides an innovative, high-performance ammunition choice that revitalizes the .45-70 cartridge. If you own a lever-action rifle and are looking to increase your effective range, improve accuracy, and experience the modern capabilities of the classic .45-70, give this ammunition a try. You won’t be disappointed. Take the time to test it out and see if the improvement will work for you.
Call to Action
Have you had the opportunity to shoot **Hornady Leverevolution 45-70**? Share your experiences in the comments section below! Do you still use your lever action rifle? We’d love to hear about your hunting experiences or target-shooting successes with this round.
