History?

[Propdoc]

So what is the history of the 45-70, and when was it born?
Thanks PD

[TexasMac]

Here ya go.

The .45-70 cartridge, also called the .45-70-405 cartridge, was introduced in 1873 by the USA Government’s Frankford, Arsenal (Frankford, Pennsylvania ) for use in the single-shot 1873 Springfield “trapdoor” rifle.  The cartridge used a 45 caliber (.458” diameter), 405 grain lead bullet with 70 grains of blackpowder.  These were the standard cartridge and rifle issued to US foot soldiers.  Later, a .45-70-500 cartridge was available with a 500 grain lead bullet.  Also, a less powerful .45-55-405 cartridge which was loaded with 55 grains of blackpowder was used in a carbine or short-barrel version of the Springfield.  Another loading called the .45-75 Sharps Straight used 75 grains of blackpowder and was one of many cartridges for the Sharps single-shot rifle.  Since the outside dimensions of all these cartridge were the same, they were interchangeable in any of the noted rifles and carbine.  The .45-70 was later converted to modern smokeless powder and is still available today as a popular commercial cartridge.

[Shorty]

Also, one reason that the .45/70 was developed is because the .50/70, then standard, had an internal primer and could not be reloaded.  The gov't wanted to save money by having a reloadable cartridge.

[Larry Gibson]

Also, one reason that the .45/70 was developed is because the .50/70, then standard, had an internal primer and could not be reloaded.  The gov't wanted to save money by having a reloadable cartridge.

At the time of the adoption of the 45-70 the arsenals weren't concerned with reloading at all.  There were numerous commercial cases made for the 50-70 for reloading.  many officers prefered to keep there TD 50-70s or had Rolling Blocks (Custer being one) because they could still get government issue ammo but could also reload for hunting.  The 45-70 was originally loaded by the arsenals with Benet inside priming through the late '70s.

Larry Gibson