Sellier & Bellot 45-70 Government 405gr Soft Point is a reliable hunting and target ammunition designed for lever-action rifles, single-shot firearms, and modern 45-70 platforms. Featuring a 405-grain jacketed soft point bullet, brass cases, and Boxer primers, this 45-70 Govt load delivers 1,509 fps muzzle velocity with 2,044 ft-lbs of energy. Ideal for big game hunting, target shooting, and historical firearms.
This is Sellier & Bellot’s classic 45-70 Government load: 405-grain soft point bullet (traditional weight for this cartridge), jacketed construction for reliable expansion, brass cases for reloadability, and Boxer primers—backed by S&B’s 200+ years of ammunition manufacturing expertise and trusted by hunters, shooters, and collectors worldwide.
What Makes Sellier & Bellot 45-70 Government 405gr Special
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405-Grain Soft Point Bullet: Traditional 405-grain bullet weight for 45-70 Government. Jacketed soft point (JSP) design offers reliable expansion and deep penetration. Ideal for big game hunting and target shooting.
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Jacketed Construction: Copper-jacketed bullet provides consistent expansion, weight retention, and terminal performance. Superior to lead-only bullets for hunting applications.
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1,509 fps Muzzle Velocity: Standard velocity for 405gr 45-70 Government. Balanced performance for lever-action rifles, single-shot firearms, and modern 45-70 platforms.
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2,044 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy: Substantial energy for big game hunting. Enough power for deer, black bear, and other medium-to-large game at moderate ranges.
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Brass Cases: Quality brass cases reloadable multiple times. Adds value for handloaders and reduces long-term ammo costs. Non-corrosive, durable, and consistent.
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Boxer Primers: Reliable, consistent ignition. Boxer-primed cases are also reloadable for handloaders. No misfires, no hangfires, no duds.
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Non-Corrosive: Modern primer and powder formulation. No corrosive salts that damage barrels. Easy cleanup after shooting.
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45-70 Government Cartridge: Classic American cartridge introduced in 1873 for the Springfield Trapdoor rifle. Widely used in lever-action rifles (Marlin, Henry, Winchester), single-shot firearms (Ruger No. 1, H&R Handi-Rifle), and modern platforms (Henry Big Boy, Marlin 1895, Browning BLR).
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Big Game Performance: 405-grain soft point is ideal for deer, black bear, wild hog, and other medium-to-large game. Deep penetration and reliable expansion ensure ethical kills.
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Historical Firearms: Safe for use in vintage and historical 45-70 firearms (Trapdoor Springfield, Winchester 1886, etc.). Standard-pressure load suitable for older firearms.
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Made in Czech Republic: Sellier & Bellot manufactures ammunition in Vlašim, Czech Republic. Over 200 years of ammunition manufacturing experience. Trusted by shooters worldwide.
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20-Round Box: Standard box size for 45-70 Government ammunition. Ideal for range sessions, hunting trips, or testing new loads.
Specifications
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Caliber: 45-70 Government (45-70 Govt, .45-70)
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Bullet Weight: 405 grains
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Bullet Type: Jacketed Soft Point (JSP)
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Case Type: Brass (reloadable, non-corrosive)
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Primer: Boxer (reloadable, non-corrosive)
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Rounds Per Box: 20
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Muzzle Velocity: 1,509 fps (varies by barrel length; typical for 405gr 45-70)
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Muzzle Energy: 2,044 ft-lbs (varies by barrel length)
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Product Line: Sellier & Bellot Standard Line
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Manufacturer: Sellier & Bellot (Czech Republic)
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MPN: SB4570A
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UPC: 8590690341894
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Ammo Rating: Target, Practice, and Hunting (Big Game)
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Country of Origin: Czech Republic (Sellier & Bellot manufactures in Vlašim)
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Lead Core: Yes (jacketed soft point with lead core—NOT lead-free)
Ideal For
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Big Game Hunting: 405-grain soft point is ideal for deer, black bear, wild hog, and other medium-to-large game. Deep penetration and reliable expansion ensure ethical kills.
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Lever-Action Rifles: Perfect for Marlin 1895, Henry Big Boy, Winchester 1886, and other lever-action 45-70 rifles. Reliable feeding and consistent performance.
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Single-Shot Firearms: Ideal for Ruger No. 1, H&R Handi-Rifle, Thompson/Center Contender, and other single-shot 45-70 platforms.
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Historical Firearms: Safe for vintage and historical 45-70 firearms (Trapdoor Springfield, Winchester 1886, etc.). Standard-pressure load suitable for older firearms.
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Target Shooting: Excellent for target practice, plinking, and skill-building. Consistent velocity and accuracy make this ideal for range sessions.
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Modern 45-70 Rifles: Compatible with modern 45-70 platforms (Henry Big Boy, Marlin 1895, Browning BLR, etc.). Check your rifle’s manual for approved ammunition.
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Reloading: Brass cases are reloadable. Handloaders can extend their ammo supply. Boxer primers are also reloadable.
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Collectors: Sellier & Bellot is a respected ammunition manufacturer with 200+ years of history. Collectors value S&B quality and consistency.
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Budget-Conscious Shooters: Sellier & Bellot offers quality ammunition at competitive prices. Good value for hunters and shooters on a budget.
What’s Included
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20-Round Box: (1) Sellier & Bellot 45-70 Government 405gr JSP – 20 Rounds
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Original Packaging (sealed, factory-fresh)
Note: Select 20-round box or bulk case option at checkout (if available).
Sellier & Bellot Quality
Sellier & Bellot has been manufacturing ammunition in Vlašim, Czech Republic since 1825. Over 200 years of ammunition manufacturing experience. In 2009, Sellier & Bellot became part of CBC (Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos), a global ammunition manufacturer that also owns Magtech and MEN. This merger has made S&B more competitive and positioned it among the largest ammunition producers worldwide.
Why Sellier & Bellot 45-70 matters:
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Czech-Made: Manufactured in Vlašim, Czech Republic to exacting standards.
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200+ Years of Experience: Sellier & Bellot has been producing ammunition since 1825.
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CBC Group Member: Part of CBC (Magtech, MEN) global ammunition conglomerate.
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Hunter & Shooter Trusted: Widely used by hunters, competitive shooters, and recreational shooters worldwide.
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Proven Performance: Consistent velocity, reliable expansion, and accurate performance.
Important Notes
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Firearm Compatibility: 45-70 Government ammunition is compatible with rifles chambered for 45-70 Govt (lever-action, single-shot, historical, and modern platforms). Check your firearm’s manual for approved ammunition.
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NOT for Other Calibers: 45-70 Government is NOT interchangeable with 45-90, 45-110, 450 Bushmaster, or any other cartridge. Use ONLY in firearms chambered for 45-70 Government.
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Lead Core: This ammunition features a jacketed soft point bullet with lead core. NOT lead-free. Some hunting areas require lead-free ammunition—check local regulations.
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Velocity Varies by Barrel Length: 1,509 fps is typical from 24″ barrel. Shorter barrels (18″–20″) will see slightly lower velocities (~1,400–1,500 fps). Longer barrels (26″+) may see slightly higher velocities.
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Historical Firearms: Safe for vintage and historical 45-70 firearms (Trapdoor Springfield, Winchester 1886, etc.). This is a standard-pressure load suitable for older firearms. However, always inspect vintage firearms before shooting and consult a gunsmith if unsure.
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Modern vs. Vintage 45-70: Modern 45-70 rifles (Henry, Marlin, Ruger, etc.) can handle higher-pressure loads than vintage firearms. This S&B load is suitable for both modern and vintage 45-70 rifles.
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Reloading: Brass cases are reloadable. Boxer primers are also reloadable. Handloaders can extend their ammo supply. Consult reloading manuals for 405gr 45-70 data.
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State Regulations: Check local hunting laws for ammunition restrictions. Some states require lead-free ammunition for certain game species or hunting areas (e.g., California requires lead-free ammo for all big game hunting).
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Price: 45-70 Government is a specialty caliber. Expect higher per-round costs than common calibers like .308, .30-06, or 30-30. Sellier & Bellot offers competitive pricing for quality 45-70 ammo.
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Availability: 45-70 ammunition can be scarce during high-demand periods. When available, stock up.
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Warranty: Sellier & Bellot warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. Contact S&B or their importer for warranty claims.
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405gr vs. 300gr vs. 350gr: 405-grain is the traditional bullet weight for 45-70 Government (original military load). Heavier bullets offer deeper penetration and more energy retention at moderate ranges. Lighter bullets (300gr, 350gr) offer flatter trajectory and less recoil. Choose based on your hunting needs and firearm.
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Hunting Ethics: Always practice ethical hunting. Know your effective range, practice regularly, and only take shots you’re confident in making. 45-70 Government is effective at moderate ranges (up to ~200 yards for most hunters).
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Ballistic Data: Consult Sellier & Bellot’s ballistic tables for specific velocity, energy, drop, and wind drift data at various ranges. Use a ballistic calculator for your specific rifle and conditions.




