.45-70 Rifles

.45-70 Lever-Action Rifles

The lever-action is the natural home for .45-70 — fast follow-up shots from a compact, pointable rifle that handles naturally in thick brush and timber. The Marlin 1895 is the iconic .45-70 lever gun — now produced by Ruger with improved quality over late-Remington-era production. The 1895 Guide Gun with its 19.1-inch barrel is the most popular configuration for hunting. Henry offers the .45-70 in multiple configurations: the All-Weather with a hardened steel receiver and coated hardwood, the Side Gate for traditional loading-gate convenience, and the Big Boy Steel. Both Marlin and Henry .45-70 levers are proven bear-country rifles carried by guides across Alaska and the Northern Rockies.

.45-70 Single-Shot Rifles

Single-shot .45-70 rifles from CVA (Scout and Accura series) and Henry (Single Shot) offer a lightweight, affordable entry into .45-70 shooting. The CVA Scout in .45-70 is one of the lightest .45-70 rifles available — ideal for pack-in hunting where every ounce matters. Single-shots trade follow-up shot speed for simplicity, light weight, and usually a lower price.

.45-70 Ammunition: Pressure Levels Matter

The .45-70 spans an enormous pressure range depending on what rifle it’s fired from. “Trapdoor” loads (lowest pressure) are safe in any .45-70 rifle including antique Springfield Trapdoor actions. Standard-pressure loads work in all modern lever-actions. High-pressure loads from Buffalo Bore, Underwood, and Garrett are designed for strong modern lever-actions (Marlin 1895, Henry Steel, Ruger No. 1) and push performance significantly higher — driving 405-grain bullets to 2,000+ fps. Always match your ammunition to your rifle’s pressure rating. See our .45-70 ammunition page for current inventory.

.45-70 for Dangerous Game

A Marlin 1895 Guide Gun or Henry .45-70 loaded with 405-grain hardcast ammunition is the standard Alaska bear-defense rifle for guides and backcountry travelers. The combination of heavy bullet weight, large frontal area, and deep straight-line penetration makes .45-70 hardcast one of the most effective cartridges against heavy, thick-skinned dangerous game at the close ranges typical of bear encounters. It’s not a long-range cartridge — practical accuracy for hunting is 150–200 yards maximum — but inside that range, nothing portable hits harder.

.45-70 vs. .30-30 vs. .357 Magnum Lever Guns

Three different lever-action calibers for three different jobs. .30-30 Winchester is the all-around deer cartridge with moderate recoil and 200-yard effective range. .357 Magnum is the lightest-recoiling option that shares ammo with a revolver, effective on deer to 150 yards. .45-70 is the heavy hitter for dangerous game, big bears, moose, and any situation where maximum bullet weight and energy matter more than flat trajectory. If you hunt whitetail in the Midwest, .30-30. If you want one caliber for a revolver and a rifle, .357. If you hunt where things can eat you, .45-70.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best .45-70 lever-action rifle?
The Marlin 1895 Guide Gun (19.1" barrel) and Henry .45-70 Side Gate are the two most popular. Both are excellent; the Marlin has a slight edge for scope mounting, the Henry for fit and finish.

Is .45-70 good for bear defense?
Yes — it’s the standard lever-action bear-defense cartridge in Alaska and the Northern Rockies, loaded with 405-grain hardcast ammunition.

How far can you shoot a .45-70?
Practical hunting accuracy is 150–200 yards. The heavy, slow bullet drops rapidly past 200 yards. It’s a brush-country and close-range cartridge by design.

Does .45-70 kick hard?
Yes — recoil is substantial, especially with high-pressure loads. A recoil pad and proper shooting technique help, but .45-70 from a 7-pound lever gun is not a mild experience.

See Also: Lever-Action Rifles • Marlin 1895 • Henry • Single-Shot Rifles • Hunting Rifles • .30-30 Ammo • .357 Lever-Action Rifles