Last reviewed: 2026-04-17 by Jake Terry, FFL07/SOT3, outdoor product specialist.
Hornady 45-70 Government brass gives lever-gun and single-shot reloaders a factory-new, unprimed case engineered for a cartridge that dates to 1873 but still earns its place in timber-country deer camps and guide rifles. The 45-70 Government is a straight-walled rifle cartridge designed to push heavy bullets at moderate velocities, making case volume and neck tension critical for both pressure management and accuracy. Each case is measured for wall concentricity, pressure-tested for uniform expansion, and hand-inspected before boxing.
Load Profile
The 45-70 pushes heavy bullets — 300 to 500 grains — at moderate velocities, which means case volume and neck tension directly affect both pressure and accuracy. Hornady builds their brass to hold up across multiple firings in trapdoor, lever, and bolt-action platforms without primer pocket loosening or case-head separation. Wall thickness is held to tight tolerances to ensure consistent neck tension and predictable expansion under pressure. Box of 50, new and unprimed — not loaded ammunition. Chamfer and deburr case mouths before loading.
Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Cartridge | 45-70 Government |
| Finish | Brass |
| Condition | New |
| Primed | No |
| Quantity | 50 pieces per box |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Hornady |
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Safe Handling & Compliance
This product is an unprimed brass case — it is not loaded ammunition. The 45-70 is loaded to different pressure levels depending on the host firearm (trapdoor vs. lever vs. bolt). Always verify which pressure tier your platform supports and follow published load data accordingly.
- Review the 4 rules of firearms safety before handling any firearm or component.
- California Proposition 65: this product can expose you to lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
- Store brass in a cool, dry location away from heat sources.
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