45-70 Ammo Canada

45-70 Govt Ammo For Sale In Canada – Canada Ammo Source

At Canadaammosource.com, you can find 45-70 ammo for sale in bulk, with trusted brands and clear stock levels. That matters when you hunt remote country and need reliable 45-70 ammunition ready before the season opens.

I still remember the first time I dropped a big northern black bear with my lever gun and a box of 45-70 rounds. The thump on impact, the short tracking job, and the confidence that followed made me a believer for life.

If you shoot in Canada and want deep-penetrating, hard-hitting power, 45-70 ammunition from Canadaammosource.com deserves a place in your safe.

What Is 45-70 Round?

The 45-70 round, or .45-70 Government, is a straight-walled rifle cartridge. It first saw service in 1873 with the U.S. Army’s Springfield “Trapdoor” rifle. The name comes from a .45 calibre bullet over 70 grains of black powder.

Today, 45-70 ammo Canada shooters use is loaded with modern smokeless powder. It keeps the same big-bore character, but with better consistency and cleaner burning. Most factory loads push bullets from 250 to 500 grains.

History of 45-70 Ammo

The 45-70 Govt was adopted in 1873 and stayed in service into the 1890s. It saw use in the Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, and other campaigns.

Originally, the standard load was a 405-grain lead bullet at about 1,350 fps, producing around 1,600 ft-lb of energy. For the time, that was serious power. Tests at Sandy Hook showed the cartridge could reach 1,000 yards, though with a “rainbow” trajectory.

Today, the same basic case still works in modern lever guns and single-shot rifles. That long service life shows why many hunters still trust 45-70 ammunition for close-range big game.

Types of 45-70 Ammunition

When I shop for 45/70 ammo, I usually see four main styles:

1. Traditional lead soft point (300–405 gr)

   • Great for deer, hogs, and black bear.

   • Mild recoil in many lever guns.

2. Heavy hard-cast or “bear” loads (400–500+ gr)

   • Built for deep penetration on moose and big bears.

   • Often marked for modern, strong actions only.

3. Polymer-tipped “LEVERevolution” style

   • Safe in tube magazines.

   • Flatter trajectory than classic flat-nose bullets.

4. 45 70 subsonic ammo

   • Heavy bullets at subsonic speeds for suppressed rifles.

   • Very quiet, with big-bore impact at close range.

Canadaammosource.com can stock a mix of these 45-70 ammo Canada options, so you can match the load to your hunt.

Specifications of the 45-70 Ammo

Key specs for standard 45-70 Govt loads:

• Bullet diameter: about 0.458.”

• Case type: rimmed, straight-walled

• Case length: 2.105″

• Typical factory bullet weights: 250–500 grains

• Original 405-gr load: approx. 1,350 fps, ~1,638 ft-lb

• Modern 300-gr hunting load: up to about 2,000+ fps, 2,800–3,400 ft-lb

In real terms, that means big frontal area, strong penetration, and serious stopping power inside 200 yards.

Design of the 45-70 Round

The 45-70 round uses a rimmed case, which works well in lever-action rifles and single-shots. The case is straight-walled, which many Canadian hunters appreciate in zones that favour straight-wall cartridges.

Most hunting loads use flat-nose or polymer-tip bullets. These feed safely in tube magazines while still expanding on impact. The design is simple but proven. That is why 45-70 ammunition remains popular after more than 150 years.

What Is 45-70 Ammo Used For?

From my own use, 45-70 ammo shines in these roles:

• Black bear and grizzly bear defence in dense bush

• Moose and big-bodied whitetails in thick timber

• Hogs and bison on guided hunts

• Short-range steel and fun shooting with cowboy action loads

At normal hunting ranges of 50–200 yards, the 45-70 round hits hard and leaves a clear blood trail. Many hunters pick it when they may face close, dangerous encounters with large game.

45-70 Ammo vs 308 Ammo

Both 45-70 ammo and .308 Winchester work well on big game, but they feel different in the field.

• Trajectory: .308 shoots flatter and stays supersonic much farther.

• Energy at close range: Heavy 45-70 Govt loads can match or beat .308 inside 150 yards.

• Recoil: 45-70 has a slower push; .308 feels sharper.

• Role: I grab .308 for open country and longer shots. I grab 45/70 ammo for bush hunts, bear country, and heavy cover.

If your style is closer shots and big holes, 45-70 ammo Canada options from Canadaammosource.com will check those boxes.

44-40 Ammo vs 45-70

44-40 ammo is a classic revolver and light rifle round from the cowboy era. It was built for deer-sized game at modest ranges. In contrast, 45-70 ammunition carries far more energy and penetration.

If you enjoy cowboy action shooting, 44-40 is fun and historic. For serious Canadian big-game hunts, 45-70 ammo wins by a wide margin.

45-70 Ammo vs 223 Ammo

223 Rem is a small, fast varmint and light-game round. 45-70 Govt is its opposite.

• 223 uses light bullets and high speed.

• 45-70 uses very heavy bullets at moderate speed.

223 ammo works best for coyotes and small hogs with precise shot placement. 45/70 ammo is built for deep penetration on heavy animals. For moose or big bear, I leave the 223 at home and carry 45-70 ammo.

45-70 Ammunition Compared to 30-30 Ammo

Many shooters compare 45-70 ammo to 30-30 ammo because both live in classic lever guns.

• 30-30: great for light recoil, deer, and medium ranges.

• 45-70: better for very heavy animals and close, brushy shots.

If you want one gun for general deer work, 30-30 is fine. If you want a hammer for big-bodied Canadian game, 45-70 ammunition is the upgrade.

45-70 Ammunition vs 30-06 Ammo

30-06 Springfield offers high velocity and reach. It is a classic for elk and moose in open terrain.

45-70 Govt trades long-range speed for massive frontal area and heavy bullets. In thick timber, that big bullet hits like a sledgehammer. For shots under 200 yards on moose, either will work. The choice comes down to your rifle and your terrain.

45-70 Ammo vs 556

5.56 NATO behaves much like 223 Rem. It uses small bullets and high speed, with roots in military service rifles.

In hunting terms, 5.56 ammo suits varmints and small-to-medium game with careful shot placement. 45-70 round, by contrast, is a true big-game thumper. If I know I might face an angry bear at close range, I trust 45-70, not 5.56.

Best 45-70 Ammo

“Best” depends on what you are doing. Here is how I break it down, based on real field use and published tests.

• Best all-round hunting

  • Hornady LEVERevolution 325-gr or 250-gr

  • Good mix of expansion and reach from lever rifles.

• Best for big bears and moose

  • Heavy 405–500 gr soft-point or hard-cast “bear loads.”

  • Built for penetration through bone and muscle.

• Best for practice and fun

  • Cowboy action 405-gr lead loads at lower speed

  • Soft shooting, great for steel and skill building.

You can compare price per round and case quantities at Canadaammosource.com, then stock up before your next trip.

45 70 Subsonic Ammo

45 70 subsonic ammo pairs the big 45-70 round with low velocity. Heavy bullets stay under the speed of sound.

When used with a suppressor (where legal), this setup is very quiet. It still hits hard at close range because the bullet is so heavy. Subsonic loads work best inside 75–100 yards and require known drops. Always confirm your zero before a hunt.

Where Can I Buy 45-70 Ammo Online?

You want clear stock levels, fair prices, and legal Canadian shipping. That is exactly why I buy 45-70 ammo online from Canadaammosource.com.

On Canadaammosource.com, you can:

• See real-time 45-70 ammunition in stock

• Choose from multiple brands and bullet weights

• Order bulk cases of 45-70 ammunition Canada-wide

• Save time driving from store to store

Always check local and federal Canadian regulations before ordering or transporting ammunition.

FAQ: 45-70 Govt Canada Shooters Ask

• Are 45-70 Cartridges good for Canadian big game?

Yes. With the right load, 45-70 Govt is excellent for black bear, moose, and large deer at close to moderate range.

• What range is 45-70 effective for hunting?

Most hunters keep shots inside 200 yards. Past that, the bullet drop becomes heavy, even with modern loads.

• Are 45-70 Cartridges hard to find in Canada?

Supply can move with demand, but 45-70 ammunition remains a common big-bore choice. Checking Canadaammosource.com for 45-70 ammunition in stock is one of the fastest ways to confirm availability across brands.