If lever-action rifles are part of your gun life, you’ve probably debated the merits of different calibers. Two cartridges that are most associated with the lever-action platform are the .30-30 Winchester and the .45-70 Government, with the latter being the most popular. But when it comes down to it, which one’s better? Should you get a rifle chambered in .30-30 Win or .45-70 Govt? Which cartridge is better for deer season? We will attempt to answer your questions in this face-off between the .30-30 Win and .45-70 Govt.
What’s the .30-30 Winchester?
The .30-30 Win was made specifically for the Winchester 1895—a classic lever-action rifle—in 1895, which means the cartridge has been around for nearly 150 years. Further, the .30-30 Winchester cartridge has the distinction of being the first smokeless powder small-bore rifle cartridge ever developed. It saw an enormous amount of use in its early decades and continues to be produced today. Some see it as Grandpa’s cartridge, but that isn’t giving the .30-30 Win enough credit for everything it can and has done.
The .30-30 Winchester is a rimmed bottleneck cartridge with an overall length of 2.55 inches and a bullet diameter of .308 inches. Its SAAMI maximum pressure is 42,000 psi. Further, the .30-30’s parent cartridge was the .38-55 Win, which was designed in 1884 and remains in production as a boutique round. It’s spawned quite a few variants and is also the parent cartridge of the .360 Buckhammer introduced by Remington in 2023.
What’s the .45-70 Government?
Something you might not know about the .45-70 Government cartridge is that it was originally a black powder cartridge. It was designed to replace the .50-70 Govt, entering production in 1873. Further, the .45-70 Govt is a rimmed, straight-walled cartridge with a bullet diameter of .458 inches and an overall length of 2.55 inches. Maximum pressure is 28,000 CUP, with CIP’s max being 32,000 psi.
Is .30-30 Win better than .45-70 Govt?
Now that you know a little more about the two cartridges, let’s get into the real battle: is the .30-30 Win better than the .45-70 Govt or vice versa? First, let’s consider this from a more technical perspective by comparing ballistics. Normally, I’d do that by comparing two loads that are as similar as possible for bullet weight and type, but that’s easier said than done with these two. Instead, we’ll compare two loads that are as close as we can get.
Hornady Leverevolution .30-30 Win 160-grain FTX ammo delivers a muzzle velocity of 2,400 feet per second and muzzle energy of 2,046 foot-pounds. In contrast, Hornady Leverevolution .45-70 Govt 250-grain FTX ammo boasts a muzzle velocity of 2,025 feet per second and muzzle energy of 2,276 foot-pounds. So, while the .30-30 Win offering produces and maintains a higher velocity, it doesn’t manage to deliver comparable energy to the .45-70.
The trajectory using these two loads differs from what is expected. With a 200-yard zero, the .30-30-win load listed above has a drop rate of about 12.5 inches at 300 yards. As for the .45-70 Govt with the same zero, it drops 27.2 inches at 300 yards. That’s not a shock, considering the .45-70 Govt has a significantly heavier bullet, but it is noteworthy.
From a pure ballistic standpoint, you might say .30-30 Winchester is superior to .45-70 Government—if you’re specifically looking for a flatter trajectory. On the other hand, you’d give the win to the .45-70 Govt if you don’t mind the drop rate and do want the heavier bullet (and the increased energy that comes with it). This one’s a bit of a draw because it’s dependent on personal preferences and what you’re using the gun for.
Is .30-30 Winchester easier to shoot than .45-70 Government?
Felt recoil is a key factor in figuring out how shootable a particular cartridge is because, while it can be a bit subjective, it’s also measurable. Basically, not everyone perceives felt recoil the same way, but the measurable foot-pounds in felt recoil make it easier to figure out what’s going on. According to various studies, most shooters are prone to flinching when the felt recoil being produced exceeds 20 foot-pounds. For some shooters, anything past 15 foot-pounds of felt recoil is a no-go.
Although the exact amount of felt recoil depends on a variety of factors, there’s still a general range for every cartridge. The .30-30 Win produces around 14 foot-pounds of felt recoil, and the .45-70 Govt delivers about 30 foot-pounds of felt recoil.
If the lever-action you’re running is older, you’re more likely to run into issues with a lack of padding or absorption in the stock. The older guns are strictly no-frills, which means the felt recoil tends to be more severe. Newer lever guns are designed for greater comfort, and that’s important when you’re talking about this kind of felt recoil. You can also reduce felt recoil by using ammo with lighter bullets because the overall load will be less aggressively made. Knowing how to stand and grip the rifle helps, too. There are a few tips and tricks for managing felt recoil, such as putting your weight forward into the gun more than you might otherwise. After all, being prepared for what’s coming is more than half the battle.
When it comes to comfort and felt recoil, there’s really no contest. 30-30 Win is simply more comfortable to shoot.
Is .30-30 Winchester better than .45-70 Government for hunting?
Face it: most lever guns are used for hunting. Both the .30-30 Win and .45-70 Govt are considered good for whitetail deer with the understanding that the wound cavity and possible meat loss is far greater with .45-70 Govt. Of course, there’s more to consider than just that.
The .30-30 Win offers a somewhat flatter trajectory with a slower drop rate and an approximate effective range of 200 yards. That effective range changes depending on the ammo you’re using as well as your gun’s barrel length, so keep that in mind. As for the .45-70 Govt, it has an admittedly sharp drop rate that gets worse with heavier bullets. Its effective range is generally going to be under 150 yards, depending on the usual factors.
The bottom line here is the .30-30 Win has a fractionally better effective range on deer, but it isn’t astounding. You also have to consider things like energy transfer on impact because that’s an area where the .45-70 Govt easily wins. If you’re hunting deer and prefer to minimize meat loss, experience less felt recoil, and have a little more distance, go with the .30-30 Win. But if you’re hunting something like feral hogs and don’t mind the felt recoil, .45-70 Govt could be perfect for you.
Which cartridge wins?
Speaking as someone who’s extremely fond of big bores, this one was a tough call. The .45-70 Govt can be fantastic, and I’ve used it to take everything from deer to hogs to coyotes. However, it isn’t one you want to shoot at length, and it can make a wound cavity so devastating you lose an entire shoulder off a whitetail deer. On the other hand, the .30-30 Win is an ideal cartridge for most hunters and those who just want to run levers at the range. Thanks to its lower felt recoil, follow-up shots are far easier to manage, and you’re not likely to have a sore shoulder in the end. The flatter trajectory it offers might not be extreme, but it’s still a factor. That said, the .30-30 Winchester is the winner of this face-off.
Which cartridge do you prefer? .30-30 Win or .45-70 Govt? Tell us why in the comments.
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