The .45-70, also known as the .45-70 Government, was developed by the U.S. Army’s Springfield Armory in 1873. By today’s standards, the trajectory of the bullet is steep, but when the cartridge was originally introduced it was considered to be relatively flat shooting. There have been many old movies showing a Sharps rifle in action, hitting targets out to 1,000 yards with the popular Government cartridge of the day. The holdover is significant, but it can be done, and in the old days to be proficient with a .45-70 cartridge, you had to be a good judge of distance.
The straight-walled cartridge .45-70 compares well to the inline .50 caliber muzzleloaders. A .45-70 with a 405-grain bullet shoots at about 1,350 fps., where a modern muzzleloader with 100 grains of Pyrodex, or Triple7 powder, will shoot at about the same speed as the .45-70 cartridge. Interestingly, 100 grains of Pyrodex pushing a 250-grain Smackdown SST bullet, chronographs at about 1,450 fps. A person shooting 150 grains of powder can push the same bullet to over 2,000 fps. The 100-grain load is only 100 fps faster, but is pushing a bullet about half the weight.
With some states allowing the old .45-70 cartridge in muzzleloader seasons, some are asking if there is any advantage with one or the other. The .45-70 is going to be just as effective as a .50 caliber muzzleloader shooting a 250-grain bullet. Some people prefer the convenience of a cartridge gun, as you can get away with a little less maintenance without damaging your gun right away. With very similar velocities, the old proven .45-70, and new inline muzzleloaders, would both be considered limited in trajectory where special seasons dictate the use of limited range firearms. And, in some states that is exactly what is occurring.
If you’re considering the use of a cartridge gun in one of the special seasons, you’ll want to check out the Traditions Outfitter G2 Rifle, which is a break-action, single shot cartridge rifle. This centerfire rifle is the perfect choice for whitetail and large game hunting. With a 22″ Chromoly fluted barrel, the Outfitter G2 is lightweight, easy to carry, and extremely accurate. The transfer bar safety and manual trigger block safety make this one of the safest rifles on the market. One advantage it provides over a muzzleloader is the speed of reloading.
[quotes quotes_style=”bquotes” quotes_pos=”center”]The Outfitter G2 can be used during Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan gun seasons as well as in several other states, but please check your local state regulations for further information[/quotes]
Traditions is well known for its muzzleloaders and have a popular following among cowboy action shooters with its pistols. The Outfitter G2 rifle is available in a unique lineup of calibers, including .243, .357 MAG, .35 Whelen, .44 MAG, .45-70, and .35 Rem. The rifle package includes a scope with rings and bases, and a case. The MSRP ranges from $439.00 to $586.00.
With a synthetic stock, the rifle weighs in at 5.8 pounds, making it ideal for hunts where weight is an issue. The rifle’s point of balance has been moved back to accommodate smaller-framed shooters while keeping it comfortable to shoulder and shoot for a full-framed hunter.
For more information on the Outfitter G2 by Traditions, Click Here.
