Deciding between the 45 raptor vs 45 70 usually comes down to whether you prefer a modern semi-auto platform or the classic charm of a lever-action brush gun. Both of these rounds are absolute hammers at short to medium ranges, and both will stop just about anything walking in North America. But while they might look similar on paper in terms of bullet diameter, the way they get the job done—and the guns they run in—couldn't be more different.
The New Kid vs. The Legend
If you aren't familiar with the .45 Raptor, think of it as a specialized, modern solution for a specific problem. It was designed to give AR-10 shooters the same kind of thump you'd get from a .460 S&W Magnum but in a rimless cartridge that feeds reliably from a box magazine. It's a powerhouse, no doubt about it, and it has gained a cult following among guys who want to hunt big game with a semi-auto.
On the other side of the ring, you've got the .45-70 Government. This round has been around since 1873. It has survived the transition from black powder to smokeless powder, and it's arguably more popular today than it was fifty years ago. It's the quintessential "buffalo bore" round, mostly found in iconic lever-action rifles like the Marlin 1895. Comparing the 45 raptor vs 45 70 is really a comparison between cutting-edge ballistic engineering and 150 years of proven field results.
Performance and Ballistics
When you look at the raw numbers, the .45 Raptor often looks like the winner, especially if you like speed. Since it's basically a rimless .460 S&W, it operates at much higher pressures than your standard .45-70 loads. You're looking at pushing a 300-grain bullet at somewhere around 2,300 feet per second. That's a lot of energy—enough to make even a large hog or an elk rethink its life choices very quickly.
The .45-70 is a bit of a different beast. If you're buying standard "trapdoor" loads off the shelf at a big-box store, they're going to be pretty mild because companies don't want people blowing up antique rifles. However, if you're using a modern lever gun or a Ruger No. 1, you can find "+P" or heavy-duty loads from companies like Buffalo Bore or Underwood. These loads can push a 300-grain bullet at similar speeds to the Raptor, or better yet, they can push a massive 405-grain or even 500-grain "flying ashtray" at speeds that create unbelievable momentum.
The Raptor is generally flatter shooting. If you're looking at a 200-yard shot, the Raptor is much easier to manage. The .45-70, even in its hottest iterations, has a trajectory like a rainbow. You really have to know your holds if you're shooting past 150 yards with the old Government round.
The Rifle Platform Matters
This is where the 45 raptor vs 45 70 debate usually ends for most people. What kind of gun do you actually want to carry in the woods?
The .45 Raptor is built for the AR-10 (LR-308) platform. If you love the ergonomics of an AR—the adjustable stock, the ability to easily mount optics, the quick follow-up shots, and the modularity—the Raptor is your huckleberry. It's a fantastic choice for hog hunting where you might need to engage multiple targets quickly. Carrying an AR-10 in .45 Raptor feels like carrying a modern battle rifle that just happens to shoot a cartridge capable of taking down a grizzly.
The .45-70 is almost synonymous with the lever-action rifle. There is something incredibly satisfying about the "snick-snack" of a lever action. These rifles are typically shorter, handier, and "pointier" in thick brush. Many hunters find a 18.5-inch barreled Marlin or Henry way more comfortable to carry through a cedar swamp than a bulky AR-10. Plus, let's be honest, there's a massive "cool factor" with a lever gun that a modern sporting rifle just can't replicate.
Reloading and Ammo Availability
If you don't reload your own ammunition, this comparison gets a little one-sided. You can walk into almost any gun shop in rural America and find a box of .45-70. It might not be the exact grain weight you want, but they'll have something. It's a staple.
The .45 Raptor? Good luck finding that at a local shop. It's mostly a boutique cartridge. You'll likely be ordering it online or, more likely, making it yourself. The good news is that if you do reload, the Raptor is pretty easy to work with. It uses .460 S&W dies (with a different shell holder) and standard .452 caliber handgun bullets. However, those bullets are designed for handguns, so you have to be careful which ones you pick; at Raptor speeds, some thin-jacketed handgun bullets might just fragment on impact rather than penetrating.
The .45-70 uses .458 caliber bullets, which are designed specifically for rifle velocities and deep penetration. There is a massive variety of .458 bullets out there, from hard-cast lead that will whistle through a moose lengthwise to modern copper solids.
Recoil: The Price You Pay
Neither of these is a "beginner" cartridge when it comes to kick. When comparing 45 raptor vs 45 70, you're going to feel it in your shoulder either way.
The .45 Raptor has a sharp, violent snap. Because it's usually fired from an AR-10, the buffer system and the gas operation help soak up some of that energy, but it's still a handful. It feels more like a heavy "push-punch."
The .45-70's recoil depends entirely on the load. Standard loads are actually quite pleasant—more of a slow shove. But if you load up some 430-grain hard-cast magnums, the recoil is legendary. In a lightweight lever action with a hard buttplate, it can be downright punishing. Most modern hunters will find the semi-auto Raptor a bit more "user-friendly" in the recoil department simply because of the platform's design.
Which One Wins in the Field?
For deer and hogs at 100 yards, it's a wash. Both will drop them in their tracks. The real difference shows up when you consider the environment.
If you're hunting in a state with straight-walled cartridge laws for deer (like Ohio or Michigan), both of these rounds are often legal (though you should always check your local regulations as they change frequently). The .45 Raptor was practically built for these hunters, giving them a high-performance semi-auto option that fits within the legal "straight-wall" definition.
If you're heading to Alaska or somewhere with big brown bears, a lot of guides still swear by the .45-70. There's a level of reliability in a lever-action or a guide gun that people trust when things get hairy. A 500-grain hard-cast bullet from a .45-70 has a track record of penetration that is hard to argue with.
The Bottom Line
So, who wins the 45 raptor vs 45 70 showdown? It really isn't about which round is "better" in a vacuum; it's about what you want your hunting experience to look like.
If you want the most modern, fastest-shooting, and flattest-trajectory straight-wall cartridge you can fit into an AR-type rifle, the .45 Raptor is incredible. It's a specialized tool that brings massive firepower to a familiar platform.
But if you want a versatile, time-tested cartridge that can be loaded from "mild to wild" and lives in the most iconic brush guns ever made, the .45-70 isn't going anywhere. It's the king of the big bores for a reason.
Personally? I think there's room for both in the safe. But if you're only picking one, just ask yourself: do you want to carry a computer-designed thumper or a piece of American history? Either way, the thing on the other end of the barrel is going to have a very bad day.