Ammo Reports Team
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Big game hunting (deer, black bear, feral hog) at woods and brush distances |
| Bullet Type | Core-Lokt Soft Point (lead core, copper-jacketed soft point with mechanically locked core) |
| Bullet Weight | 405 grains |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Primer Type | Boxer (centerfire) |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $58.49/box · ~$2.92/round |
| Closest Competitors | Federal Power-Shok 45-70 Gov’t 300 Gr JSP · Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 Gov’t 325 Gr FTX · Winchester Super-X 45-70 Gov’t 300 Gr JHP |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | — | Not published by Remington for this load |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | — | Not published by Remington for this load |
| Bullet Weight | 405 gr | Manufacturer |
| Bullet Type | Core-Lokt Soft Point | Manufacturer |
| BC G1 | — | Not published |
| BC G7 | — | Not published |
| Manufacturer SKU | R4570G | Manufacturer |
| UPC | — | Not confirmed |
| Reloadable | Yes | Manufacturer (brass case, Boxer primer) |
Note: Remington does not publish muzzle velocity or muzzle energy on their current product pages for this specific load. The 45-70 Gov’t cartridge is offered in multiple pressure tiers (trapdoor, lever-action, and Ruger No. 1 loadings), and Remington has not designated a specific pressure tier or test barrel length for this listing in available public data. All ballistic table values below are therefore calculated estimates. Community submissions of measured muzzle velocity are welcomed to supplement this data.
Note: BC G1 and BC G7 values are not published by Remington for the Core-Lokt Soft Point line. A commonly referenced community estimate for a 405 gr flat-based soft point at this diameter is approximately G1 0.270–0.285, but no manufacturer-confirmed figure is available and no estimated BC has been used in the table below.
Ballistics Table
Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature,altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzlevelocity for comparison.
Calculation basis: estimated muzzle velocity of 1,330 fps — a commonly cited community reference for a 405 gr load at standard lever-action pressure from a 22″ barrel. BC G1 estimate of 0.275 used for trajectory calculation. Sight height 1.5″ above bore. Zero: 100 yards.
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ~1,330 | ~1,591 | -1.5 |
| 50 | ~1,247 | ~1,397 | +0.9 |
| 100 | ~1,173 | ~1,237 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 150 | ~1,109 | ~1,107 | -4.1 |
| 200 | ~1,056 | ~1,003 | -11.8 |
| 250 | ~1,010 | ~918 | -23.6 |
| 300 | ~971 | ~848 | -40.5 |
Key takeaway: The 45-70 Gov’t 405 gr is a heavy, subsonic-approaching load that drops significantly beyond 150 yards — roughly 12 inches low at 200 yards with a 100-yard zero. This is fundamentally a woods and brush cartridge with a practical ethical hunting range of 150 yards or less for most shooters without holdover compensation. Within that window, the energy retention remains substantial and well above minimum thresholds for deer-sized and bear-sized game. Hunters accustomed to flat-shooting rifle cartridges should treat this trajectory as a feature of the platform, not a deficiency of the load.
The Core-Lokt Bullet Design and the 45-70 Pressure Context
The Remington Core-Lokt bullet is one of the oldest controlled-expansion designs still in active production, introduced in 1939. Its defining feature is a tapered copper jacket that is mechanically locked to the lead core at the cannelure, resisting core-jacket separation during penetration. On a 405-grain soft point at .458″ diameter, this design produces a wide, mushroomed wound channel appropriate for large-framed North American game.
The 45-70 Gov’t cartridge exists in a unique pressure landscape. Originally a black-powder military cartridge from 1873, it is now loaded to three informal pressure tiers: a low-pressure trapdoor tier (~28,000 CUP) for original Springfield rifles, a standard lever-action tier (~40,000 CUP) for modern Marlin and Winchester levergun actions, and a high-pressure tier (~50,000 CUP) for single-shot rifles like the Ruger No. 1. Remington’s Core-Lokt 405 gr load is understood to be a standard lever-action pressure load, but Remington does not explicitly state this on current packaging or product pages. Shooters using trapdoor-action Springfield rifles or reproductions should confirm compatibility with a qualified gunsmith before firing any modern factory load.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Whitetail deer hunting in dense timber and brush where shots rarely exceed 100 yards
- Black bear hunting over bait or in forested terrain at close to moderate range
- Feral hog control in thick cover where a heavy, wide-expanding bullet is advantageous
- Hunters using lever-action rifles (Marlin 1895, Henry Steel, Winchester 1886 reproductions) who want a traditional, proven load
- Situations where deep penetration with controlled expansion is prioritized over long-range ballistics
- Hunters who prefer a soft point over a polymer-tipped bullet for compatibility with tubular magazines
Not the right tool for:
- Open-country hunting where shots beyond 150 yards are common — the trajectory becomes a significant challenge past that distance
- Hunters needing a lead-free load for California or other jurisdictions with non-toxic bullet requirements
- Trapdoor Springfield rifles or other antique actions without confirmed modern-load pressure rating
- Long-range target or precision shooting applications
- Hunters who require published, verified ballistic coefficient data for ranging or ballistic calculator use
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source user accounts (not structured data): The Core-Lokt line has a multi-decade reputation for consistent ignition and reliable core-jacket integrity at hunting velocities. For the 45-70 platform specifically, open-source accounts note that the 405 gr soft point tends to produce complete or near-complete mushrooming on deer and black bear at ranges inside 100 yards, with exit wounds reported in many cases — a positive indicator of energy transfer and penetration balance. Brass case quality is generally reported as consistent and suitable for reloading, which is relevant to cost-conscious buyers at this price point. No pattern of feeding or cycling issues specific to this load in lever-action rifles has been identified in available open sources.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Muzzle Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Power-Shok 45-70 Gov’t 300 Gr JSP | 300 gr | Jacketed Soft Point | ~0.215 (est.) | ~1,850 fps | ~$38–$46 | Budget alternative; lighter bullet, higher velocity, flatter trajectory |
| Winchester Super-X 45-70 Gov’t 300 Gr JHP | 300 gr | Jacketed Hollow Point | ~0.210 (est.) | ~1,880 fps | ~$42–$50 | Budget alternative; aggressive expansion, shorter penetration than 405 gr |
| Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 Gov’t 325 Gr FTX | 325 gr | FTX Flex Tip | ~0.230 (published) | 2,050 fps | ~$48–$58 | Premium alternative; significantly flatter trajectory, higher velocity, tubular-magazine safe |
| Buffalo Bore 45-70 Gov’t 405 Gr Hard Cast FN | 405 gr | Hard Cast Flat Nose | N/A | ~1,625 fps | ~$65–$75 | Premium alternative; same weight class, non-expanding, for dangerous game or deep penetration; not a hunting soft point |
| Hornady Custom 45-70 Gov’t 325 Gr FP-XTP | 325 gr | XTP Hollow Point | ~0.220 (est.) | ~1,900 fps | ~$45–$55 | Mid-range; XTP bullet known for consistent expansion across velocity range |
| Remington Core-Lokt 45-70 Gov’t 300 Gr SP | 300 gr | Core-Lokt Soft Point | ~0.215 (est.) | ~1,810 fps | ~$42–$50 | Same manufacturer, same bullet design, lighter weight; direct within-line comparison |
Price Reality
- Typical retail range: $54–$62 per 20-round box depending on retailer and stock levels
- Per-round cost: approximately $2.92 at the $58.49 price point
- The Federal Power-Shok 300 gr and Winchester Super-X 300 gr loads run approximately $15–$20 less per box, making them meaningful budget alternatives for high-volume practice
- The Hornady LEVERevolution 325 gr FTX occupies a similar price tier to the Core-Lokt 405 gr but offers a measurably flatter trajectory — buyers focused on field performance at 150+ yards may find the premium justified
- Buffalo Bore loads in the same weight class run $65–$75 per box and serve a different purpose (non-expanding hard cast for dangerous game); they are not a direct substitution for hunting soft point use
- A fair benchmark for this load is $55–$62 per box. Listings above $65 for a single box of standard Core-Lokt 405 gr represent above-market pricing and should be compared against current availability before purchase.
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Remington Core-Lokt 45-70 Gov't 405 Gr Soft Point (Box)
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FAQ
Does the Core-Lokt 405 gr load work in a Marlin 1895 lever-action rifle?
The Remington Core-Lokt 405 gr Soft Point is loaded to standard lever-action pressure levels, making it compatible with modern Marlin 1895 and similar lever-action rifles in 45-70 Gov’t. The 405-grain weight and standard overall cartridge length feed reliably through the tubular magazine and lever mechanism in the 1895 platform. Shooters should always confirm headspace and mechanical condition of their specific rifle before firing any factory ammunition, particularly in older or used firearms. This load is not recommended for trapdoor-era Springfield actions without explicit pressure confirmation from a qualified gunsmith.
How does the Core-Lokt 405 gr compare to the Hornady LEVERevolution 325 gr FTX for deer hunting?
The two loads represent different design philosophies for the same platform. The Hornady LEVERevolution 325 gr FTX launches a lighter, polymer-tipped bullet at significantly higher velocity — approximately 2,050 fps versus an estimated 1,330 fps for the Core-Lokt 405 gr — producing a noticeably flatter trajectory and extending the practical range of the 45-70 to approximately 200 yards for most shooters. The Core-Lokt 405 gr Soft Point delivers more momentum and a heavier bullet at close range, which some hunters prefer for larger-framed game or heavy cover where deep penetration matters more than trajectory. For whitetail deer inside 100 yards, both are more than adequate; for shots approaching 150–200 yards, the LEVERevolution offers a meaningful trajectory advantage. The choice depends on terrain, target species, and shooter preference.
Is this load legal for deer hunting in states with non-toxic bullet requirements?
No. The Core-Lokt Soft Point uses a traditional lead core and copper jacket construction, which does not qualify as a non-toxic or lead-free projectile. Hunters in California and any other jurisdiction that mandates non-toxic bullets for big game hunting must select a certified lead-free load — such as those using Barnes TSX, Hornady GMX, or similar all-copper or copper-alloy bullets — for any legal hunting application in those areas. This load is fully legal for hunting in the vast majority of U.S. states where traditional lead-core ammunition is permitted.
Why doesn’t Remington publish muzzle velocity for this load?
Remington’s current online product listings for several Core-Lokt loads, including the 45-70 Gov’t 405 gr, do not include muzzle velocity or muzzle energy figures in their publicly available specifications. This is an unusual gap for a major manufacturer and may reflect a product page update lag or a deliberate choice not to specify a test barrel length given the wide variety of 45-70 action types and barrel lengths in common use. Historically, this load has been associated with a muzzle velocity in the 1,330 fps range from a standard 22-inch lever-action barrel, but this figure should be treated as a community reference estimate rather than a manufacturer-confirmed specification until Remington publishes updated data.
Can the Core-Lokt 405 gr be used for black bear hunting?
Yes — the 405-grain bullet weight and controlled-expansion Core-Lokt design make this load a legitimate choice for black bear at woods distances. The heavy bullet delivers substantial momentum and the mechanically locked core resists premature expansion or fragmentation on heavy-boned, thick-skinned game. Most experienced bear hunters recommend shot placement inside 75–100 yards with this load to ensure adequate velocity for reliable expansion and sufficient energy on target. At those distances, the 45-70 platform with a 405 gr soft point has a long and well-documented history of effectiveness on black bear in North America.
