Introduction
The thundering crack of the rifle echoes through the mountain valley, the scent of burnt gunpowder mingling with the crisp air. A majestic elk, initially undisturbed, now stumbles, its muscular frame giving way to the raw power unleashed. This scene, a dream for many hunters, is often realized through the application of a formidable cartridge: the 45-70. And when the 45-70 is combined with Hornady’s innovative design, you have something truly special. But is the **45-70 Hornady Leverevolution** the ultimate big-game round? Let’s dive in and discover the answer.
Understanding the 45-70 Cartridge
Historical Context
The roots of the 45-70 run deep, stretching back to a bygone era of frontier expansion and military dominance. Born from the need for a reliable and powerful cartridge for the U.S. Army, the 45-70 Government, as it was initially designated, saw extensive use in the late nineteenth century. It quickly became a favorite of hunters, frontier men and women, and those who sought a cartridge capable of taking down the toughest game. Its simple yet effective design, utilizing a large-diameter bullet and a generous powder charge, made it an instant success.
Key Characteristics
The cartridge gained instant fame, as its heavy bullet could deliver devastating stopping power, even at considerable distances for the era. Its legacy is written in the history books of battles, and in the hearts of those who rely on its performance today. The 45-70 has consistently stood the test of time, proving that a well-designed cartridge, matched with reliable components, will never fade from the scene.
The 45-70’s defining characteristics are rooted in its substantial dimensions. It boasts a large bullet diameter – point four five inches – which, combined with a sizable powder charge, creates significant kinetic energy upon impact. This translates into exceptional stopping power, allowing for rapid incapacitation of large game animals. Its range, while not exceptional compared to more modern cartridges, is perfectly adequate for most hunting scenarios.
Its trajectory is relatively arched, which means bullets drop more dramatically at longer ranges compared to bullets fired from flatter shooting rounds. However, with practice and proper sight adjustment, hunters can effectively engage targets out to several hundred yards. This characteristic isn’t seen as a downfall, but rather a trade off for the sheer brute force the cartridge offers.
One of the main reasons that the 45-70 has remained popular throughout the years is the vast variety of rifles that are available for the cartridge. Lever-action rifles, with their classic appeal and fast follow-up shots, have long been synonymous with the 45-70. Bolt-action rifles and single-shot rifles have also been chambered for the round.
Hornady Leverevolution Ammunition: An Overview
Now, let’s look at what makes **Hornady Leverevolution** so important.
Design & Technology
The engineers at Hornady, known for innovation, reimagined the potential of the 45-70. Their goal was to maximize both velocity and long-range performance. The solution? The **Hornady Leverevolution** line of ammunition. This innovative ammunition redefined what was possible in the 45-70.
The cornerstone of the Leverevolution design is the Flex Tip® bullet. This remarkable bullet design features a soft polymer tip that sits recessed within the bullet’s nose. This tip serves multiple crucial functions. Firstly, it allows the bullet to maintain a more streamlined, aerodynamic profile than traditional flat-nosed bullets typically used in lever-action rifles. This reduced drag results in a flatter trajectory and better retained energy downrange.
The Flex Tip® also serves as a critical safety feature. In lever-action rifles, the cartridges sit in a tubular magazine, lined up end to end. Traditional lead-nosed bullets can, under recoil, strike the primer of the cartridge ahead, potentially causing accidental discharges. The Flex Tip® provides a shock-absorbing buffer, eliminating the risk of such incidents.
Beyond the Flex Tip®, Hornady uses a proprietary powder blend that increases the muzzle velocity of the rounds. This advanced powder formula burns more efficiently, generating higher chamber pressures and propelling the bullet at faster speeds. This translates to several positive effects, including enhanced downrange energy and an improved trajectory.
Key Features
**Hornady Leverevolution** ammunition offers some impressive features.
The **Hornady Leverevolution** ammunition line is offered with several bullet weight options. The most popular weights typically used are the three hundred twenty-five-grain FTX, which utilizes the Flex Tip, and the three hundred twenty-five-grain LEVERevolution, which provides similar characteristics.
With a carefully chosen weight, the **45-70 Hornady Leverevolution** rounds launch with impressive speed. The 325-grain bullet weights tend to have a muzzle velocity in the neighborhood of two thousand to twenty-one hundred feet per second. This offers more power, leading to flatter trajectories and increased downrange performance.
The ballistic coefficient (BC) of a bullet measures its ability to overcome air resistance. A higher BC means the bullet will retain its velocity and energy better over distance. The FTX bullets in the **Hornady Leverevolution** line typically have a BC that significantly exceeds those of traditional, flat-nosed 45-70 bullets. This higher BC is the key to flatter trajectories and improved downrange energy.
The Flex Tip® bullet, with its streamlined profile, contributes to a higher ballistic coefficient. This gives the **45-70 Hornady Leverevolution** an edge when engaging targets at longer distances.
These bullets are usually constructed with a tough jacket and a lead core. This combination ensures controlled expansion, deep penetration, and maximum energy transfer upon impact. Some bullets may also include a cannelure to enhance terminal performance and assist in rapid expansion and energy delivery.
Performance Analysis
Let’s now analyze how this ammunition performs under the harsh circumstances of the range and the field.
Range and Trajectory
The impact of the **45-70 Hornady Leverevolution** is readily apparent when comparing its trajectory to that of conventional 45-70 loads. The flatter trajectory, combined with its increased velocity, makes it easier to accurately engage targets at extended ranges. This will directly impact the user’s success rate.
The difference is noticeable in data like drop charts. At two hundred yards, the drop is significantly less than those traditional loads. This is a critical advantage, especially when hunting in open terrain.
Accuracy Testing
A solid accuracy report is important. Accuracy testing with the **45-70 Hornady Leverevolution** typically involves benchrest shooting at different distances. It uses various rifles, and the results are consistent.
Average group sizes for this ammo is within an acceptable margin for big game hunting. Many users report sub-three-inch groups at one hundred yards, and respectable groups at two hundred yards. This level of accuracy ensures reliable shot placement.
Terminal Ballistics
Terminal ballistics is the science of what happens when a bullet hits a target. The performance of the **Hornady Leverevolution** in the field is impressive. On impact, the Flex Tip® bullet initiates rapid and controlled expansion. The bullet mushrooms outwards, creating a wider wound channel, and transferring its energy efficiently into the target.
The combination of rapid expansion and deep penetration makes it a lethal round for large game animals. The bullet reliably reaches vital organs, providing quick and humane kills.
Recoil and Handling
The felt recoil is an important factor to consider. The **Hornady Leverevolution**’s recoil is more manageable compared to heavier, slower-moving 45-70 loads. Recoil is a consideration in the field, and will also have an impact on follow-up shots.
The smoother recoil allows for better shot placement, and faster follow-up shots. This is useful, especially when you are hunting dangerous game.
Pros and Cons
How does this compare to more traditional loads and what are the tradeoffs for the performance?
Advantages
The advantages of **45-70 Hornady Leverevolution** are numerous. The increased velocity and energy it delivers compared to traditional 45-70 loads is a significant benefit. It offers the energy and stopping power required for the most challenging big-game hunting scenarios.
The flatter trajectory offered by the **Hornady Leverevolution** is also advantageous. It means less holdover at longer ranges, and more accurate shots. This makes the ammo especially useful in terrain where shots must be taken at a distance.
The terminal performance is nothing short of superb. The Flex Tip® bullets expand and penetrate effectively, delivering rapid and humane kills on a variety of game animals. It is a solid performer when compared to other bullets.
Another pro is that this ammo is safe to use in a lever action rifle. The innovative Flex Tip® design prevents accidental discharges, allowing for safe function in lever-action rifles.
Disadvantages
However, even the best products come with downsides. The **Hornady Leverevolution** ammunition’s cost is typically higher than that of traditional 45-70 loads.
While most lever-action rifles can accommodate the ammunition, some rifles may not be ideally suited to the **Hornady Leverevolution**. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations before using this ammunition.
Ammo availability is another potential concern. While widely available, it may be more challenging to find in some remote locations.
Finally, while the **Hornady Leverevolution** is designed for controlled expansion, there is still a chance of over-penetration when used on certain game animals, particularly smaller ones.
Application & Suitability
The intended application of the **45-70 Hornady Leverevolution** is for those seeking big-game hunting.
Hunting Applications
The increased velocity and energy, combined with a flatter trajectory, make it an excellent choice for hunters pursuing large game species like deer, elk, and bear. The ammunition’s impressive terminal performance ensures quick and humane kills.
Shooting/Target Practice
The **Hornady Leverevolution** is well-suited to various shooting purposes. Its increased accuracy also makes it an excellent ammunition for target practice and recreational shooting. However, its higher cost may be a consideration for those who are looking for ammunition that they can go through quickly.
Rifle Compatibility
The ammunition is designed to function well within a variety of lever-action rifles, with many of the modern manufacturers seeing no harm. It is, however, a good practice to check the rifle’s manual to confirm it is compatible.
Comparison
**Hornady Leverevolution** provides a noticeable step up in performance, but how does it stack up against alternatives?
Leverevolution vs. Other 45-70 Ammunition
The **45-70 Hornady Leverevolution** offers a noticeable advantage over traditional 45-70 loads. The increased velocity, flatter trajectory, and improved terminal performance create a more efficient and effective hunting round. These benefits allow the user to improve the accuracy of the round, while giving it the stopping power required.
Other Ammunition for Big Game Hunting
When compared to other common big-game rounds, the **45-70 Hornady Leverevolution** is still a contender. Its ability to deliver hard-hitting power makes it a standout choice. The power and performance, combined with the ease of use in lever-action rifles, make it a great choice for a variety of situations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the **45-70 Hornady Leverevolution** offers significant advantages over traditional 45-70 ammunition. The enhanced performance, combined with a streamlined design, gives the shooter advantages.
Is it the ultimate big-game round? It depends. If you’re hunting large game at moderate ranges and desire a high-performance, accurate round that functions well in a lever-action rifle, then it could be the ultimate choice.
This ammunition has made a mark for its overall reliability and effectiveness, making it an outstanding performer in its field.
If you are a hunter seeking a reliable and powerful round for your lever-action rifle, the **45-70 Hornady Leverevolution** is a compelling option. Consider your specific hunting needs. If you’re looking for a round with superior ballistics and terminal performance, this is a great choice.
If you’re looking for a round with increased performance, be sure to try this load out.
Call to Action
If you have any experience with the **45-70 Hornady Leverevolution**, share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below. Let us know about the rifles you have used it with, and what game you have used it on.
