Ammo Reports Team
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Deer hunting |
| Bullet Type | Molecularly Bonded Copper-Jacketed Soft Point with Pressure-Formed Core |
| Bullet Weight | 300 grain |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Primer Type | Boxer (centerfire) |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $60.49/box — $3.02/round |
| Closest Competitors | Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 Govt 325 gr FTX, Winchester Super-X 45-70 Govt 300 gr JHP, Remington Core-Lokt 45-70 Govt 405 gr SP |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | — | Not published |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | — | Not published |
| Bullet Weight | 300 gr | Federal/Manufacturer |
| Bullet Type | Molecularly Bonded Soft Point | Federal/Manufacturer |
| BC G1 | — | Not published |
| BC G7 | — | Not published |
| Manufacturer SKU | — | Not published |
| UPC | — | Not published |
| Reloadable | Yes | Brass case, Boxer primer |
Note: Federal has not published muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, or ballistic coefficient data for this specific load in publicly available spec sheets at the time of writing. The ballistics table below uses a calculated estimate based on comparable 300 gr 45-70 loads from the same product line. All calculated values are clearly labeled. Community-submitted chronograph data will be incorporated as it becomes available.
Ballistics Table
Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature, altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzle velocity for comparison.
Assumed muzzle velocity: ~1850 fps (typical for 300 gr 45-70 loads from a 24″ barrel). Sight height: 1.5″ above bore. Zero: 100 yards.
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ~1850 | ~2282 | -1.5 |
| 50 | ~1713 | ~1953 | +1.8 |
| 100 | ~1585 | ~1673 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 150 | ~1467 | ~1433 | -5.6 |
| 200 | ~1360 | ~1231 | -16.8 |
| 250 | ~1266 | ~1066 | -35.0 |
| 300 | ~1185 | ~935 | -61.5 |
Key takeaway: The 45-70 Government cartridge with a 300 grain bullet is a short-to-medium range performer. At 100 yards the load still carries over 1,600 ft-lbs of energy — more than sufficient for whitetail deer and most North American medium game. Drop becomes significant beyond 150 yards, making holdover compensation necessary for shots past that distance. Hunters should treat 200 yards as a practical maximum under field conditions, and 150 yards as the distance at which this load is most forgiving of range estimation error.
The Federal Fusion Bonded Bullet
Federal Fusion was the first ammunition line engineered specifically around the requirements of deer hunting, and the construction method behind it distinguishes this load from generic cup-and-core designs. The copper jacket is molecularly bonded to the lead core — a process that creates a chemical-level bond rather than a simple mechanical crimp or fold. This bonding mechanism is what separates bonded soft point bullets from standard jacketed soft points, and it has a direct effect on terminal performance.
When a standard jacketed bullet expands rapidly, the jacket and core can separate, reducing the mass available to penetrate tissue and transfer energy. A molecularly bonded bullet resists this separation even at the high impact velocities that occur at close range. The result is controlled, progressive expansion combined with high weight retention — Federal claims this construction retains the majority of the bullet’s original 300 grains through the target. The pressure-formed core also contributes to a uniform density profile that supports consistent expansion across a range of impact velocities, which matters when shots vary from 30 yards to 150 yards in typical deer hunting scenarios.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Whitetail deer hunting at ranges up to 150–200 yards in wooded or brushy terrain
- Hunters using lever-action rifles where the 45-70 is the chambering of choice
- Situations requiring deep penetration through the shoulder of larger deer or hogs
- Hunters who prioritize weight retention and controlled expansion over flat trajectory
- Black bear hunting in jurisdictions where 45-70 is a legal and practical choice
Not the right tool for:
- Long-range shooting beyond 200 yards, where bullet drop becomes difficult to manage reliably
- Elk or moose hunting where heavier 400+ grain bullets offer a penetration advantage
- Target shooting or plinking, where the per-round cost of $3.02 is prohibitive
- Rifles with tubular magazines loaded with pointed bullets — though this load uses a soft point tip, always confirm seating safety with your specific firearm
- Jurisdictions with lead-free requirements, as this is a lead-core bullet
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source product descriptions, the Federal Fusion line has a consistent reputation for jacket-core integrity under field conditions. The molecularly bonded construction is described by Federal as producing high weight retention — a claim that is consistent with independent gel testing of other Fusion loads in different calibers published by third-party ballistics testers, though no published gel data specific to this 300 gr 45-70 load was located at time of writing. Open-source user reports across hunting forums suggest reliable feeding in common lever-action platforms and consistent accuracy in the 1–2 MOA range from scoped rifles, though these are anecdotal and not structured submissions. No failures to expand or jacket separation issues were identified in available open-source commentary. All notes here reflect manufacturer claims or open sources, not structured data collected by this database.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Muzzle Velocity | Price/Box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 325 gr FTX | 325 gr | Flex Tip eXpanding | ~0.230 | 2050 fps | ~$48–55 | Polymer tip; safe for tubular magazines; flatter trajectory |
| Winchester Super-X 45-70 300 gr JHP | 300 gr | Jacketed Hollow Point | Not published | ~1880 fps | ~$38–45 | Budget alternative; non-bonded; less weight retention expected |
| Remington Core-Lokt 45-70 405 gr SP | 405 gr | Soft Point | Not published | ~1330 fps | ~$35–42 | Budget option; heavier bullet; slower; traditional design |
| Buffalo Bore Heavy 45-70 300 gr JFN | 300 gr | Jacketed Flat Nose | Not published | ~2350 fps | ~$65–75 | Premium; significantly higher velocity; not suitable for all rifles |
| Underwood 45-70 300 gr Bonded JHP | 300 gr | Bonded Jacketed HP | Not published | ~2150 fps | ~$55–65 | Premium; bonded construction comparable to Fusion; higher velocity |
| HSM Bear Load 45-70 430 gr WFNGC | 430 gr | Wide Flat Nose Gas Check | Not published | ~1200 fps | ~$45–55 | Heavy hard-cast; designed for bear defense, not expansion |
Price Reality
- At $60.49 per box of 20 rounds, this load costs $3.02 per round at typical retail.
- Compared to Winchester Super-X 300 gr at approximately $38–45/box, the Fusion commands a meaningful premium — roughly $15–22 more per box — for the bonded construction.
- The Hornady LEVERevolution 325 gr FTX typically runs $48–55/box, making it a frequently chosen alternative that offers a flatter trajectory at a lower price point, though without the same bonded jacket design.
- Buffalo Bore and Underwood premium loads can reach $65–75/box, positioning the Fusion in the middle of the market for this caliber.
- A fair price benchmark for this load is $55–65/box. Prices above $70/box for a 20-round box should be considered elevated unless supply conditions justify it.
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Federal Fusion 45-70 Government 300 Grain Bonded Soft Point (Box)
Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.
FAQ
Does the bonded construction in the Federal Fusion 300 gr actually make a difference compared to standard jacketed soft points?
In the context of the 45-70 Government at hunting distances, bonding matters most at close-range impacts where velocity is highest and the risk of jacket-core separation is greatest. A standard cup-and-core soft point may expand aggressively and shed jacket material, reducing the mass that continues to penetrate. The molecularly bonded design in the Fusion is engineered to keep the jacket and core unified through expansion, which translates to deeper wound channels and more consistent terminal performance across a range of shot angles. For broadside shots at moderate range the difference may be subtle, but for quartering shots or close-range encounters in thick cover, the bonded design provides a meaningful advantage.
How does this load compare to the Hornady LEVERevolution 325 gr FTX for deer hunting?
These two loads represent different engineering philosophies for the same platform. The Hornady LEVERevolution uses a polymer-tipped FTX bullet that is safe for tubular magazines and produces a flatter trajectory due to its higher BC and higher muzzle velocity — making it a better choice if shots beyond 150 yards are expected. The Federal Fusion 300 gr prioritizes terminal performance through bonded construction and is generally regarded as a heavier-hitting option at the ranges where 45-70 is most commonly used. If trajectory and longer-range capability are the priority, the LEVERevolution has an edge. If controlled expansion and weight retention at close-to-medium range are the priority, the Fusion is a strong alternative.
Is this load safe to use in older or vintage 45-70 rifles chambered for lower-pressure loads?
This is an important safety consideration for 45-70 Government shooters. The cartridge has three general pressure tiers historically: standard (for trapdoor-era rifles), lever-action, and modern strong-action. Federal does not publish the SAAMI pressure rating for this specific Fusion load, but it is marketed as a standard factory load suitable for modern lever-action rifles. It should not be assumed safe for original Trapdoor Springfield actions or other antique single-shot rifles without confirming with a qualified gunsmith. Always match ammunition pressure to your specific firearm’s rated specifications.
Will this load expand reliably at the lower impact velocities seen at 150–200 yards?
Bonded soft point bullets are generally engineered to expand across a range of impact velocities, but performance at lower velocities depends on the specific design threshold. At 150–200 yards with a starting velocity near 1,850 fps, the bullet will be traveling approximately 1,350–1,470 fps at impact — still within the expansion window for most bonded soft points. Federal’s pressure-formed core design is intended to support reliable expansion at reduced velocities. However, because Federal has not published expansion velocity thresholds for this specific load, hunters taking shots at the outer range limits should be aware that terminal performance data at those velocities has not been independently verified for this product.
Is the Federal Fusion 300 gr 45-70 suitable for hog hunting?
The Federal Fusion 45-70 300 gr is well-suited to hog hunting where regulations permit lead-core bullets. Feral hogs present a tough target due to their shoulder shield — a layer of cartilage and dense tissue that can deflect or deform bullets. The bonded construction resists deformation better than standard soft points, supporting penetration through this tissue to reach vital organs. At the ranges typical of hog hunting — often under 100 yards in dense cover — the load’s energy level is substantial and the bonded soft point design should perform consistently. Hunters in states with lead-free requirements should note this is a lead-core bullet and would not comply with those restrictions.
