A new cartridge, 45/70 Government Light Recoil , was adopted at that time. .45-70 fired a .45-caliber 405-grain projectile over 70 grains of black powder at a face velocity of approximately 1,200 fps. The new cartridge had the official military designation .45-70-405. The caliber was .458″ (11.6 mm) and a 20″ 1-round rifle.
The 45/70 Government is a large, powerful cartridge initially designed for use in lever-action rifles. It can take 45-70 govt ballistics down large game animals at long range and is still popular among hunters today.
