.45-70 Government Trajectory Calculator
See how .45-70 Government stacks up in our full caliber comparison chart — energy, drop and recoil for every rifle caliber side by side.
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.
Compare up to 5 different loads. The current caliber (.45-70 Government) is pre-selected for the first load.
.45-70 Government Trajectory Chart
.45-70 Government Ballistics Data
| Range (yd) | Elevation (in) | Elevation (MOA) | Elevation (MIL) | Windage (in) | Windage (MOA) | Windage (MIL) | Time (s) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2050.0 | 3033.52 |
| 25 | -0.22 | 0.85 | 0.247 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.038 | 1967.57 | 2794.48 |
| 50 | 0.48 | -0.92 | -0.266 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.077 | 1887.76 | 2572.36 |
| 75 | 0.58 | -0.73 | -0.213 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.117 | 1810.08 | 2365.02 |
| 100 | 0.01 | -0.01 | -0.002 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.16 | 1734.69 | 2172.13 |
| 125 | -1.28 | 0.98 | 0.285 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.204 | 1661.81 | 1993.43 |
| 150 | -3.36 | 2.14 | 0.622 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.25 | 1591.54 | 1828.41 |
| 175 | -6.3 | 3.43 | 0.998 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.298 | 1523.97 | 1676.46 |
| 200 | -10.17 | 4.85 | 1.411 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.348 | 1459.25 | 1537.09 |
| 225 | -15.06 | 6.39 | 1.858 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.401 | 1397.64 | 1410.04 |
| 250 | -21.06 | 8.04 | 2.339 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.456 | 1339.48 | 1295.12 |
| 275 | -28.27 | 9.81 | 2.855 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.513 | 1285.12 | 1192.13 |
| 300 | -36.8 | 11.71 | 3.406 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.573 | 1234.89 | 1100.78 |
| 325 | -46.76 | 13.73 | 3.995 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.634 | 1189.07 | 1020.6 |
| 350 | -58.24 | 15.89 | 4.621 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.699 | 1147.87 | 951.1 |
| 375 | -71.38 | 18.17 | 5.286 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.765 | 1111.28 | 891.42 |
| 400 | -86.28 | 20.59 | 5.99 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.834 | 1078.84 | 840.14 |
| 425 | -103.04 | 23.15 | 6.733 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.904 | 1050.01 | 795.84 |
| 450 | -121.76 | 25.83 | 7.515 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.976 | 1024.21 | 757.21 |
| 475 | -142.56 | 28.65 | 8.335 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.051 | 1000.92 | 723.17 |
| 500 | -165.53 | 31.61 | 9.194 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.126 | 979.68 | 692.81 |
Take this table to the range
The .45-70 Government reference load above as a wallet-size DOPE card: the same zero, standard conditions, holds in MOA, a 10 mph wind column, and a blank column to write in what the rifle actually does.
Download it as it is, or customize the size (turret cap, armband, index card), the columns, the wind speeds and units.
Print at 100% (“Actual size”). Laminate it or use waterproof paper for the field.
Available .45-70 Government Ammunition Ballistics
Zeroing the .45-70 Government
Every table in this section uses the same reference load as the calculator above, 325gr G1 .234 at 2,050 fps, with a 1.5" sight height over the bore, at standard conditions (59°F, sea level, no wind for drop; 10 mph crosswind for drift). A hunting rifle with a scope in standard rings sits about 1.5" over the bore; the zero you choose sets how far you can hold on hair without thinking about the range. Change the bullet, velocity or sight height in the calculator above to solve your own load.
.45-70 Government zero comparison
| 100-yd zero | 150-yd zero | 200-yd zero | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Near zero | 32 yd | 20 yd | 14 yd |
| Far zero | 100 yd | 150 yd | 200 yd |
| Max ordinate | +0.6" | +2.3" | +5.2" |
| Max ordinate distance | 66 yd | 87 yd | 112 yd |
| Hold-dead-on window (8" vital zone, ±4") | 0–156 yd | 0–188 yd | 0–67 yd (peak is over the zone; back inside 155–227) |
| Sight in at 100 yd | +0.0" (+0.0 MOA) | +2.3" (+2.2 MOA) | +5.1" (+4.9 MOA) |
| Drop at 200 yd | -10.2" | -5.7" | +0.0" |
| Drop at 300 yd | -36.8" | -30.1" | -21.5" |
| Energy at 200 yd | 1,537 ft-lb | 1,537 ft-lb | 1,537 ft-lb |
How to read it: filled circles are the near and far zero, where the bullet's path crosses the line of sight;the triangle is the peak (max ordinate). The shaded band is the 8" vital zone, ±4" either side of the line of sight. The dashed line marks the edge of the hold-dead-on window. The chart is zoomed to where the zero matters; the tables below run to 400 yards.
Key terms
- Near zero
- Where the bullet first climbs up through the line of sight. It starts below the sight, because the sight sits above the barrel.
- Far zero
- Where it falls back down through the line of sight. A "200-yard zero" is the far zero; the near zero comes with it.
- Max ordinate
- The highest the bullet gets above the line of sight, between the two crossings. This is what makes a zero shoot high in the middle.
- Point blank range (MPBR)
- The zero that keeps the whole arc inside a vital zone for the longest distance, so you can aim at the centre and hold dead-on.
.45-70 Government with a 100-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 100 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 325gr load first crosses the line of sight at 32 yards, peaks +0.6" at 66 yards, returns to zero at 100, and is -10.2" at 200 and -36.8" at 300 yards. It drops below the speed of sound at 366 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,050 | 3,034 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.2" | -0.85 | -0.25 | 1,968 | 2,794 | 0.2 |
| 50 | +0.5" | +0.92 | +0.27 | 1,888 | 2,572 | 0.6 |
| 75 | +0.6" | +0.73 | +0.21 | 1,810 | 2,365 | 1.3 |
| 100 | +0.0" | +0.01 | 0.00 | 1,735 | 2,172 | 2.3 |
| 125 | -1.3" | -0.98 | -0.28 | 1,662 | 1,993 | 3.6 |
| 150 | -3.4" | -2.14 | -0.62 | 1,592 | 1,828 | 5.3 |
| 175 | -6.3" | -3.43 | -1.00 | 1,524 | 1,676 | 7.4 |
| 200 | -10.2" | -4.85 | -1.41 | 1,459 | 1,537 | 9.8 |
| 225 | -15.1" | -6.39 | -1.86 | 1,398 | 1,410 | 12.6 |
| 250 | -21.1" | -8.04 | -2.34 | 1,339 | 1,295 | 15.8 |
| 275 | -28.3" | -9.81 | -2.85 | 1,285 | 1,192 | 19.4 |
| 300 | -36.8" | -11.71 | -3.41 | 1,235 | 1,101 | 23.5 |
| 325 | -46.8" | -13.73 | -3.99 | 1,189 | 1,021 | 27.9 |
| 350 | -58.2" | -15.89 | -4.62 | 1,148 | 951 | 32.8 |
| 375 | -71.4" | -18.17 | -5.29 | 1,111 * | 891 | 38.0 |
| 400 | -86.3" | -20.59 | -5.99 | 1,079 * | 840 | 43.7 |
325gr G1 .234 at 2,050 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. * Below the speed of sound (1125 fps) from 366 yards; expect groups to open up past the transition.
.45-70 Government with a 150-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 150 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 325gr load first crosses the line of sight at 20 yards, peaks +2.3" at 87 yards, returns to zero at 150, and is -5.7" at 200 and -30.1" at 300 yards. It drops below the speed of sound at 366 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,050 | 3,034 | 0.0 |
| 25 | +0.3" | +1.29 | +0.38 | 1,968 | 2,794 | 0.2 |
| 50 | +1.6" | +3.06 | +0.89 | 1,888 | 2,572 | 0.6 |
| 75 | +2.3" | +2.87 | +0.84 | 1,810 | 2,365 | 1.3 |
| 100 | +2.3" | +2.15 | +0.62 | 1,735 | 2,172 | 2.3 |
| 125 | +1.5" | +1.16 | +0.34 | 1,662 | 1,993 | 3.6 |
| 150 | +0.0" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1,592 | 1,828 | 5.3 |
| 175 | -2.4" | -1.29 | -0.38 | 1,524 | 1,676 | 7.4 |
| 200 | -5.7" | -2.71 | -0.79 | 1,459 | 1,537 | 9.8 |
| 225 | -10.0" | -4.25 | -1.24 | 1,398 | 1,410 | 12.6 |
| 250 | -15.5" | -5.90 | -1.72 | 1,339 | 1,295 | 15.8 |
| 275 | -22.1" | -7.67 | -2.23 | 1,285 | 1,192 | 19.4 |
| 300 | -30.1" | -9.57 | -2.78 | 1,235 | 1,101 | 23.5 |
| 325 | -39.5" | -11.59 | -3.37 | 1,189 | 1,021 | 27.9 |
| 350 | -50.4" | -13.75 | -4.00 | 1,148 | 951 | 32.8 |
| 375 | -63.0" | -16.03 | -4.66 | 1,111 * | 891 | 38.1 |
| 400 | -77.3" | -18.45 | -5.37 | 1,079 * | 840 | 43.7 |
325gr G1 .234 at 2,050 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. * Below the speed of sound (1125 fps) from 366 yards; expect groups to open up past the transition.
.45-70 Government with a 200-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 200 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 325gr load first crosses the line of sight at 14 yards, peaks +5.2" at 112 yards, returns to zero at 200, and is +0.0" at 200 and -21.5" at 300 yards. It drops below the speed of sound at 366 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,050 | 3,034 | 0.0 |
| 25 | +1.1" | +4.01 | +1.17 | 1,968 | 2,794 | 0.2 |
| 50 | +3.0" | +5.77 | +1.68 | 1,888 | 2,572 | 0.6 |
| 75 | +4.4" | +5.59 | +1.63 | 1,810 | 2,365 | 1.3 |
| 100 | +5.1" | +4.86 | +1.42 | 1,735 | 2,172 | 2.3 |
| 125 | +5.1" | +3.88 | +1.13 | 1,662 | 1,993 | 3.6 |
| 150 | +4.3" | +2.72 | +0.79 | 1,592 | 1,828 | 5.3 |
| 175 | +2.6" | +1.43 | +0.41 | 1,524 | 1,676 | 7.4 |
| 200 | +0.0" | +0.01 | 0.00 | 1,459 | 1,537 | 9.8 |
| 225 | -3.6" | -1.53 | -0.44 | 1,398 | 1,410 | 12.6 |
| 250 | -8.3" | -3.18 | -0.93 | 1,339 | 1,295 | 15.8 |
| 275 | -14.3" | -4.96 | -1.44 | 1,285 | 1,192 | 19.4 |
| 300 | -21.5" | -6.85 | -1.99 | 1,235 | 1,101 | 23.5 |
| 325 | -30.2" | -8.88 | -2.58 | 1,189 | 1,021 | 27.9 |
| 350 | -40.4" | -11.03 | -3.21 | 1,148 | 951 | 32.8 |
| 375 | -52.3" | -13.31 | -3.87 | 1,111 * | 891 | 38.1 |
| 400 | -65.9" | -15.73 | -4.58 | 1,079 * | 840 | 43.7 |
325gr G1 .234 at 2,050 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. * Below the speed of sound (1125 fps) from 366 yards; expect groups to open up past the transition.
Maximum Point Blank Range for the .45-70 Government
Maximum point blank range (MPBR) is the zero that keeps the bullet inside a vital zone, never more than half its height above or below the line of sight (an 8" zone is ±4"), for as far as possible. Zero at the distance in the table and you can hold dead-on from the muzzle to the far edge of the window.
| Vital zone | Zero at | Hold dead-on from | To (MPBR) | Max ordinate | Near / far zero | CSV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8" (whitetail, pronghorn) | 181 yd | 0 yd | 212 yd | +4.0" at 103 yd | 16 / 181 yd | Download |
| 10" (elk, moose) | 198 yd | 0 yd | 230 yd | +5.0" at 111 yd | 15 / 198 yd | Download |
MPBR assumes a centred hold, a level shot and no wind; it is a ceiling, not a licence to skip ranging. The far edge of the window is where the bullet has already fallen half the vital zone.
Similar Calibers
.45-70 Government Ballistics Comparisons
Stock Up On .45-70 Government Ammo for the Range
| PRODUCT | DEALER | QUANTITY | PRICE | SHIPPING | TOTAL PRICE | PRICE/RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 20 | $43.19 | $10.99 | $54.18 |
$2.71
20 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 20 | $46.49 | $10.99 | $57.48 |
$2.87
20 Rounds
|
|
| Lucky Gunner | 20 | $44.00 | $18.43 | $62.43 |
$3.12
20 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 20 | $52.12 | $10.99 | $63.11 |
$3.16
20 Rounds
|
|
| Lucky Gunner | 20 | $50.00 | $18.43 | $68.43 |
$3.42
20 Rounds
|