The main difference between the 44 Magnum and the 45 70 Government is their original design purpose and overall power capacity. The 44 Magnum was originally designed as a powerful handgun cartridge that later became popular in lever action rifles, offering moderate recoil and excellent performance inside 100 yards. The 45 70 Government was developed as a heavy military rifle cartridge and delivers significantly more kinetic energy, pushing much heavier bullets to tackle North America’s largest game. While a rifle chambered in 44 Magnum provides a lightweight and fast handling option for deer hunters in thick brush, it cannot match the sheer knockdown power and longer effective range of the massive 45 70 Government. Both cartridges are exceptional choices for traditional lever action enthusiasts, but the 45 70 Government remains the superior option for hunting elk, moose, or large bears.
44 Mag vs 45-70 Ballistics Chart
| Specification | 44 Magnum (240 Grain JSP Rifle Data) | 45 70 Government (300 Grain JHP) |
| Cartridge Type | Straight Wall Centerfire | Straight Wall Centerfire |
| Parent Case | 44 Special | None Original Design |
| Bullet Diameter | 0.429 Inches | 0.458 Inches |
| Case Length | 1.285 Inches | 2.105 Inches |
| Overall Length | 1.610 Inches | 2.550 Inches |
| Bullet Weight | 240 Grain | 300 Grain |
| Common Factory Loads | Winchester White Box and Federal American Eagle | Winchester Super X and Federal Power Shok |
| Muzzle Velocity | 1760 Feet Per Second | 1880 Feet Per Second |
| Muzzle Energy | 1650 Foot Pounds | 2355 Foot Pounds |
| Velocity at 100 Yards | 1350 Feet Per Second | 1493 Feet Per Second |
| Velocity at 200 Yards | 1060 Feet Per Second | 1184 Feet Per Second |
| Velocity at 300 Yards | 890 Feet Per Second | 990 Feet Per Second |
| Energy at 100 Yards | 971 Foot Pounds | 1485 Foot Pounds |
| Energy at 200 Yards | 600 Foot Pounds | 934 Foot Pounds |
| Energy at 300 Yards | 420 Foot Pounds | 650 Foot Pounds |
| Trajectory at 100 Yards | Zero Inches | Zero Inches |
| Trajectory at 200 Yards | Drop of 16.5 Inches | Drop of 13.5 Inches |
| Trajectory at 300 Yards | Drop of 55.0 Inches | Drop of 45.0 Inches |
| Ballistic Coefficient | 0.175 | 0.197 |
| Sectional Density | 0.185 | 0.204 |
| Maximum Effective Hunting Range | 125 Yards | 200 Yards |
| Maximum Point Blank Range | Approximately 130 Yards | Approximately 150 Yards |
| Typical Twist Rate | 1 in 38 Inches | 1 in 20 Inches |
| Maximum Average Pressure | 36000 PSI | 28000 PSI |
| Recoil Energy | 11.0 Foot Pounds | 25.0 Foot Pounds |
| Wind Drift | High | High |
| Factory Ammunition Availability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Typical Rifle Platforms | Lever Action and Single Shot | Lever Action and Single Shot |
| Primary Hunting Use | Whitetail Deer and Feral Hogs | Elk Moose and Big Bear |
| Whitetail Suitability | Excellent at Close Range | Excellent |
| Black Bear Suitability | Good at Close Range | Excellent |
| Elk Suitability | Marginal | Excellent |
| Accuracy Potential | 2 MOA | 1 to 2 MOA |
| Pros | Low Recoil and High Ammo Capacity | Massive Stopping Power and Great Penetration |
| Cons | Steep Trajectory and Limited Range | Heavy Recoil and Expensive Ammunition |
| Best Use Cases | Brush Hunting and Youth Shooters | Dangerous Game and Large Animals |
| Overall Winner | Tie Depending on Target Size | Tie Depending on Target Size |
Muzzle Velocity Comparison
The 45 70 Government offers a higher muzzle velocity despite pushing a significantly heavier bullet. When firing a 300 grain jacketed hollow point from a standard rifle barrel, the 45 70 Government reaches a muzzle velocity of 1880 feet per second. The 44 Magnum, when fired from a 20 inch carbine barrel, pushes a lighter 240 grain soft point at approximately 1760 feet per second. This speed advantage helps the larger cartridge maintain a flatter trajectory at moderate hunting distances.
Muzzle Energy Comparison
Kinetic energy is the most significant difference between these two legendary cartridges. The 45 70 Government produces an immense 2355 foot pounds of muzzle energy, making it capable of taking down any big game animal in North America. The 44 Magnum rifle produces around 1650 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. Even at 100 yards, the 45 70 Government retains almost as much energy as the 44 Magnum produces right out of the barrel.
Trajectory Comparison
Neither cartridge is designed for long range precision shooting. When zeroed at 100 yards, the 44 Magnum experiences a rapid drop of 16.5 inches at 200 yards due to its poor ballistic coefficient and lower velocity. Under the same 100 yard zero, the 45 70 Government drops about 13.5 inches at 200 yards. Both cartridges require careful range estimation and holdover calculations if you plan to shoot beyond 125 yards in the field.
Recoil Comparison
The immense power of the 45 70 Government comes with a substantial penalty in felt recoil. A typical lever action rifle chambered in 45 70 Government generates roughly 25 foot pounds of recoil energy. The 44 Magnum is famous for its mild manners in a rifle platform, generating only about 11 foot pounds of recoil energy. This makes the 44 Magnum an outstanding choice for young hunters or anyone who wants a fast handling brush gun without the shoulder bruising kick.
Effective Hunting Range Comparison
The maximum effective range of a hunting cartridge depends entirely on retained energy and bullet expansion. The 44 Magnum is widely considered a 100 to 125 yard deer cartridge, as its energy drops below ethical levels rapidly past that distance. The 45 70 Government comfortably extends that effective hunting range out to 200 yards on medium and large game. Pushing either bullet past these distances is generally discouraged due to their rainbow like trajectories.
Which Cartridge Hits Harder
The 45 70 Government hits significantly harder than the 44 Magnum at every measurable distance. Firing bullets that often weigh between 300 and 405 grains, the massive frontal area and deep penetration of the 45 70 Government create devastating wound channels. While the 44 Magnum hits hard enough for deer and hogs at close range, it simply lacks the heavy mass and energy required to confidently anchor giant animals like grizzly bears or bull moose.
Which Cartridge Should You Choose
Selecting between these two iconic straight wall cartridges comes down to your target species and recoil tolerance. If you exclusively hunt whitetail deer or wild hogs in dense woods and want a lightweight rifle with low recoil, the 44 Magnum is absolutely perfect. If you dream of hunting elk in timber or need reliable protection against dangerous predators in bear country, the 45 70 Government is the undisputed champion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I shoot 44 Magnum ammunition in a 45 70 Government rifle?
You absolutely cannot mix these two different ammunition types. The 45 70 Government is a much larger rifle cartridge, while the 44 Magnum is originally a revolver cartridge with entirely different dimensions. Attempting to fire the wrong ammunition will cause catastrophic firearm failure and serious injury.
Why is the 45 70 Government still popular today?
Despite being created over a century ago, it remains popular because it delivers unparalleled knockdown power at close range. Modern smokeless powder loads have transformed it into a devastating hunting cartridge for the largest North American game. It also easily meets the legal requirements for straight wall cartridge hunting zones across the country.
Is the 44 Magnum rifle good for deer hunting?
Yes, it is an exceptionally good deer hunting rifle cartridge when kept within its effective range. At distances under 125 yards, the heavy 240 grain bullet expands reliably and creates a large wound channel that leads to quick recoveries. The low recoil also allows hunters to make faster and more accurate follow up shots if needed.
Which cartridge holds more rounds in a lever action rifle?
A lever action rifle chambered in 44 Magnum will always hold more ammunition than the same size rifle in 45 70 Government. The shorter overall length of the revolver cartridge allows manufacturers to fit up to ten rounds in a standard tubular magazine. A similar length magazine tube will usually only hold four to six rounds of the much longer 45 70 Government ammunition.
Can the 45 70 Government be used for long range shooting?
It is not recommended or well suited for long range target shooting or hunting. The heavy bullets have poor aerodynamics and drop drastically past 200 yards. While historical military shooters used volley fire at extreme distances, modern hunters should limit their shots to 200 yards to ensure ethical and accurate hits.
Does barrel length affect 44 Magnum ballistics?
Barrel length drastically changes the performance of this specific cartridge. When fired from a traditional six inch revolver, the bullet travels much slower and produces less energy. Firing that exact same ammunition through a 20 inch rifle barrel allows the slow burning powder to fully ignite, creating significantly higher velocity and knockdown power.
Are both cartridges legal for straight wall hunting states?
Yes, both cartridges meet the typical requirements for hunting in states with straight wall cartridge restrictions. They both utilize a straight case design without a bottleneck shoulder. However, you should always verify your specific local wildlife agency regulations before taking either rifle into the deer woods.