Ammo Reports Team
| Official Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Buffalo Bore |
| Cartridge | 45-70 Government |
| Product Line | Heavy 45-70 +P |
| Bullet Name / Bullet Type | Barnes TSX Flat Nose, all copper |
| Bullet Weight | 350 gr |
| SKU / Part Number / Item Number | 8G/20 |
| UPC | Not found |
| Rounds per Box | 20 |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,150 fps advertised |
| Muzzle Energy | Not found |
| Ballistic Coefficient G1 | Not found |
| Ballistic Coefficient G7 | Not found |
| Case Material | Not found |
| Primer | Not found |
| Reloadable | Not found |
| Test Barrel Length | Not found for advertised velocity |
| Zero Distance | 100 yd (manufacturer trajectory reference) |
| Sight Height | Not found |
| Intended Use | Big-game hunting – deer, elk, bear and hog |
| Product Status | Current manufacturer listing |
| Closest Competitors | Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70; Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Bear Claw 45-70; Cor-Bon DPX 45-70; Buffalo Bore 45-70 Heavy 405 gr Hard Cast FN; Winchester Expedition Big Game 45-70; HSM Bear Load 45-70 Government 430 gr RNFP Gas Check |
Data is based on official manufacturer sources. Found an error? Send us the source link.
Ballistics Table – 100-Yard Zero
Interpolation reference – the 25-yard rows are not manufacturer-published data. Values use shape-preserving interpolation between Buffalo Bore’s published 50-yard trajectory points for its 1,900 fps reference scenario and 100-yard zero. No wind column is shown.
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1,900 | 2,805 | -0.8 |
| 25 | 1,804 | 2,529 | +0.6 |
| 50 | 1,712 | 2,276 | +1.1 |
| 75 | 1,623 | 2,046 | +0.8 |
| 100 | 1,538 | 1,839 | 0.0 |
| 125 | 1,458 | 1,652 | -1.8 |
| 150 | 1,383 | 1,486 | -4.8 |
| 175 | 1,313 | 1,340 | -8.8 |
| 200 | 1,250 | 1,213 | -14.2 |
| 225 | 1,192 | 1,105 | -20.8 |
| 250 | 1,142 | 1,013 | -29.1 |
| 275 | 1,099 | 937 | -39.0 |
| 300 | 1,061 | 875 | -50.7 |
Key takeaway: This table is a trajectory reference under the stated conditions, not a terminal-performance test or a recommended maximum hunting range.
The Barnes TSX Bullet in 45-70
The Barnes TSX is an all-copper hollow-point bullet with relief grooves in the shank. Its copper construction, not the grooves, makes the projectile lead-free. Bullet construction does not itself establish regulatory certification.
Barnes describes TSX as an expanding all-copper projectile. The exact expanded diameter and retained-weight percentage depend on test conditions; a universal value for this specific factory load was not verified.
In the 45-70 Government cartridge, the flat-nose profile is not merely traditional — it is a functional requirement for safe use in tubular magazines, where a pointed or spitzer bullet resting against the primer of the cartridge ahead of it poses a detonation risk under recoil. Buffalo Bore’s decision to load the TSX in a flat-nose configuration preserves magazine safety while still delivering the terminal performance advantages of the all-copper design.
The manufacturer identifies an all-copper, lead-free projectile. That material description alone is not a legal certification; check the current approved-ammunition list and rules for the particular location and season.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Deer, black bear, and feral hog hunting at ranges inside 175 yards with a lever-action rifle
- Lead-free hunting zones in California and other states with copper-only regulations
- Hunters who want maximum weight retention and deep straight-line penetration on heavy game
- Use in strong single-shot actions (Ruger No. 1, H&R/NEF) where higher-pressure Buffalo Bore loads can be safely fired
- Situations where a non-toxic projectile is required on public land or wildlife management areas
Not the right tool for:
- Long-range shooting beyond 200 yards, where the flat-nose profile and moderate velocity produce significant trajectory drop
- Thin-skinned varmints or small game, where the TSX’s design is over-engineered and expensive per shot
- Older, weaker lever-action rifles (pre-1895 trapdoor Springfields, early Winchester 1886 variants) not rated for modern chamber pressures — Buffalo Bore’s heavy loads are explicitly intended for strong modern actions
- Hunters on a tight budget who can find comparable terminal performance at lower cost with lead-core options where lead is permitted
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
The 8G/20 product heading advertises 2,150 fps. The same page reports 1,931 fps from a 22-inch Marlin and 1,914 fps from an 18-inch Marlin. Its published trajectory chart is a separate 1,900 fps scenario. This is the 350 gr TSX Flat Nose load, not a spitzer load. No structured, load-specific reliability test is presented here. Component details or general reputation should not be treated as proof of feeding, accuracy or absence of defects.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Advertised Velocity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 | 325 gr | FTX (flex-tip) | Not verified | Not verified | Exact factory item and these comparison figures were not verified in this audit. |
| Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Bear Claw 45-70 | 300 gr | TBBC bonded SP | Not verified | Not verified | Exact factory item and these comparison figures were not verified in this audit. |
| Cor-Bon DPX 45-70 | 350 gr | Barnes TSX FN | Not verified | Not verified | Exact factory item and these comparison figures were not verified in this audit. |
| Buffalo Bore 45-70 Heavy 405 gr Hard Cast FN | 405 gr | Hard Cast FN | Not verified | Not verified | Exact factory item and these comparison figures were not verified in this audit. |
| Winchester Expedition Big Game 45-70 | 300 gr | Nosler Partition | Not verified | Not verified | Exact factory item and these comparison figures were not verified in this audit. |
| HSM Bear Load 45-70 Government 430 gr RNFP Gas Check | 430 gr | Hard cast RNFP, gas check | 0.230 | 1,801 fps | Exact published load; compare its own manufacturer conditions. |
FAQ
Is this load legal for hunting in California and other lead-free states?
The manufacturer identifies an all-copper, lead-free projectile. That material description alone is not a legal certification; check the current approved-ammunition list and rules for the particular location and season.
Can this load be safely fired in any 45-70 lever-action rifle?
No. Buffalo Bore 8G/20 is a +P load with restrictions on approved strong actions, not blanket approval for lever-action rifles. It is not for Trapdoor rifles; consult the exact manufacturer instructions.
How does the Barnes TSX flat-nose compare to the Barnes TTSX or LRX for this application?
This item uses the 350 gr Barnes TSX Flat Nose. Do not substitute data or compatibility claims from TTSX, LRX or a 350 gr spitzer load; bullet profile and factory item must match.
What animals is this load appropriate for, and at what distances?
Published velocity and energy do not establish a universal hunting range or guarantee expansion. The ballistic table is not a terminal-performance test or a recommended maximum range. Buffalo Bore reports 1,931 fps from a 22-inch Marlin and 1,914 fps from an 18-inch Marlin, separately from the 2,150 fps product heading.
Why does this load cost significantly more than standard 45-70 factory ammunition?
Three factors drive the price premium. First, the Barnes TSX is an all-copper bullet manufactured to tight tolerances, and raw copper costs more than the lead and copper-cup construction used in standard jacketed bullets. Second, Buffalo Bore is a specialty manufacturer producing small-batch, high-pressure loads rather than a high-volume producer, and that production model carries higher per-unit costs. Third, the lead-free designation commands a market premium because it opens access to restricted hunting zones where standard ammunition cannot be used legally. Hunters who do not hunt in lead-free zones and are not concerned about copper-only regulations will find comparable terminal performance at significantly lower cost from lead-core premium loads in the same caliber.
