The Reinvented .45-70 Government

MOSTLY LONG GUNS

- Brian Pearce

These period .45-70 rifles include the (1) U.S. Springfield 1873 Trapdoor, (2) Marlin Model 1881, (3) Marlin Model 1895 (an original) and (4) Winchester Model 1886.

In spite of being almost 150 years old, the .45-70 Government remains highly useful for many applications that range from hunting to personal defense. It is available in a wide variety of rifle types (even revolvers) that allow it to serve ideally in any practical role. Ammunition is offered from many manufacturers, which further increases its versatility and usefulness. In spite of originating as a military cartridge, it is truly an outstanding sporting cartridge and one of my personal favorites.

Modern lever-action rifles are popular with hunters and big-game guides. Examples include the (1) Marlin Model 1895 with a 22-inch barrel, (2) Marlin Model 1895G with 18½-inch barrel, (3) Marlin Model 1895SBL with 18½-inch barrel and (4) Browning 1886 Carbine.

This grand, old cartridge was originally designed in 1873 and chambered for the U.S. Springfield Model 1873 “Trapdoor” rifle that served officially as our military rifle and cartridge until 1892, when it was replaced with the .30 US/30-40 Krag. However, it continued to serve in the hands of Army Reserve and National Guard units (in training and combat) for many more years. Interestingly, it is still in use by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard as the “Cartridge, caliber .45, line throwing, M32 inch,” which is a blank cartridge used to throw lines. This probably makes it the longest-serving U.S. military cartridge.