.45-70 Government Trajectory Calculator

The .45-70 Government throws heavy bullets that hit hard but drop fast. With a 325-grain bullet at 2,050 fps and a 100-yard zero, expect about 10.2 inches of drop at 200 yards, 36.8 inches at 300 yards, and 86.3 inches at 400 yards. The rainbow trajectory limits practical range to about 200 yards for most shooters, where the cartridge still carries over 1,500 ft-lbs of energy—plenty for anything in North America at brush-gun distances.

Use the calculator to match your specific load. Click "Modify Calculation" to enter your bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and ballistic coefficient. The .45-70 spans a wide velocity range depending on rifle strength—light loads for trapdoor rifles run around 1,300 fps, while modern lever-action loads reach 2,000+ fps. Hot loads for strong single-shots can push 2,200 fps. Match your load to your rifle's pressure rating.