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Fort Scott Munitions Tumble Upon Impact 45-70 Gov 300 Grain Solid Copper Spun

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Ammo Reports Team 6 0 45-70 Government

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Official Specs

Note: Fort Scott Munitions does not publish muzzle velocity or muzzle energy for this specific 45-70 load on their product pages as of the time of writing. The ballistics table below uses estimated values derived from published data for comparable 300-grain solid copper projectiles in the 45-70 Government cartridge fired from a 22-inch barrel. All trajectory values should be treated as approximations only. Community submissions will provide measured muzzle velocity for comparison.

Note: No BC (G1 or G7) data has been published by Fort Scott Munitions for this projectile. The solid copper spun construction and the TUI tumbling mechanism make standard BC modeling less applicable post-impact, but BC still governs flight before impact. Values cannot be reliably assumed without manufacturer or third-party instrumented testing.

Fort Scott Munitions Tumble Upon Impact 45-70 Gov 300 Grain Solid Copper Spun (Box)

$47.99

in stock

Ballistics Table

Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature,altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzlevelocity for comparison.

Sight height: 1.5″ above bore. Zero: 100 yards. Estimated muzzle velocity: ~1,800 fps (representative for 300 gr solid copper in 45-70 from a 22″ barrel). All values prefixed with ~ to indicate they are not manufacturer-published.

Key takeaway: The 45-70 Government is a large-bore cartridge with a pronounced rainbow trajectory beyond 150 yards, and this 300-grain load is no exception. Hunters and shooters should plan on known-distance shooting with confirmed holds; the roughly 42-inch drop at 300 yards demands precise range estimation. Within 150 yards — the practical hunting window for this cartridge — retained energy remains substantial, making this load well-suited to large and dangerous game at moderate ranges. The solid copper construction retains nearly full weight through the target, which partially compensates for the subsonic-approaching velocities at extended range.

The TUI Bullet — What “Tumble Upon Impact” Actually Means

Fort Scott Munitions holds multiple patents on the Tumble Upon Impact technology. Unlike conventional expanding or fragmenting bullets, the TUI projectile is engineered as a solid copper spun cylinder with a specific geometry that causes it to destabilize and tumble 90 degrees upon entering soft tissue. This tumbling motion dramatically increases the wound channel diameter without relying on hydraulic expansion, which means the design functions consistently across a wide range of velocities — an important characteristic for the 45-70, where velocity varies significantly between lever-action carbines and single-shot rifles with longer barrels.

Because the bullet is solid copper with no lead core, it qualifies as a non-toxic projectile under most state and federal non-lead regulations, including California’s Condor Zone restrictions. The absence of a hollow point also means this load is legal in jurisdictions that restrict expanding ammunition for self-defense carry, though buyers should always verify local law. The multi-patented design has been applied across FSM’s product line from handgun calibers through large-bore rifle cartridges, with the 45-70 version targeting both hunting and home-defense applications in lever-action platforms.

Best Uses

Good fit:

• Hunting medium to large game (deer, feral hog, black bear) at ranges inside 150 yards where the trajectory arc is manageable
• Lever-action rifle users seeking a lead-free alternative that meets California non-toxic requirements
• Home defense or ranch use in a lever-action where the TUI’s consistent terminal performance at varying velocities is an advantage
• Jurisdictions where hollow-point or expanding ammunition is restricted, as the solid profile remains legal while still delivering significant terminal effect
• Hunters who want maximum weight retention and deep penetration on heavily muscled or thick-skinned animals

Not the right tool for:

• Long-range shooting beyond 200 yards, where the steep trajectory and moderate BC make precise holdover difficult without confirmed range data
• Varmint or thin-skinned game where over-penetration is a concern — the solid copper construction and tumbling mechanism are designed for deep penetration, not rapid energy dump
• Budget-conscious shooters doing high-volume practice; at $2.40/round, this is a hunting or defensive load, not a range trainer
• Rifles with very short barrels (guide guns under 18″) where velocity loss may reduce the margin of consistent TUI tumbling initiation, though FSM does not publish a minimum velocity threshold

Reliability Notes

No structured submissions yet.

Based on manufacturer claims and open-source information: Fort Scott Munitions describes the TUI mechanism as consistent across calibers and velocity ranges, which is relevant for the 45-70 given the wide spread of platforms chambered for it. The solid copper spun construction is manufactured to match-grade tolerances per FSM’s marketing materials, and the company emphasizes consistency of tumbling initiation as a core design requirement. Independent gel testing of TUI rounds in other calibers (9mm, .308) has been documented by third-party YouTube channels and appears consistent with the manufacturer’s claims of 90-degree tumbling in ballistic gelatin, though no standardized FBI protocol testing results have been published by FSM for this specific 45-70 load. The brass case construction is generally associated with reliable feeding and consistent primer ignition across temperature ranges. No recall or documented reliability issues have been identified for this load at the time of writing.

Competitors

Note: The Barnes VOR-TX 300 gr TSX is the most direct lead-free competitor. Both use solid copper construction; the key difference is terminal mechanism — TSX expands radially via petal opening, while the FSM TUI tumbles 90 degrees. Neither has published FBI protocol gel data for 45-70 specifically. The Hornady LEVERevolution offers a higher advertised velocity with a published BC, making long-range trajectory comparison more straightforward.

Price Reality

• Typical retail: $44.99–$52.99 per box of 20; case pricing not widely published for this load
• Per-round cost: approximately $2.25–$2.65 depending on retailer and stock levels
• The Hornady LEVERevolution in 45-70 runs $42–$48/box — comparable pricing with a published velocity advantage and well-documented terminal performance data
• The Federal Premium 300 gr SP runs $38–$44/box, offering a meaningful per-round savings for hunters who do not require lead-free compliance
• The Barnes VOR-TX 300 gr TSX — the most direct lead-free solid copper competitor — typically runs $50–$58/box, making the FSM TUI competitively priced within the premium lead-free segment
• Fair price benchmark: Paying up to $52/box is reasonable for a lead-free, match-grade solid copper load in 45-70. Prices above $55/box for a 20-round box should prompt comparison shopping unless stock is genuinely constrained.

Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.

Where to Buy

Fort Scott Munitions Tumble Upon Impact 45-70 Gov 300 Grain Solid Copper Spun (Box)

The Fort Scott Munitions Tumble Upon Impact 45-70 Gov 300 Grain Solid Copper Spun ammunition delivers exceptional stopping power with its precision-engineered design that causes the bullet to tumble on impact. Perfect for rifle hunters and self-defense scenarios, this match-grade ammo combines innovation and performance.

$47.99 at Ammunitiondepot.com

Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.

FAQ

Does the TUI bullet actually tumble, and does tumbling happen at 45-70 velocities?

Fort Scott Munitions’ Tumble Upon Impact technology is engineered to initiate tumbling upon contact with soft tissue, not during flight. The solid copper spun geometry is designed so that the projectile’s stability in flight is maintained by gyroscopic spin, but the bullet’s center of gravity and profile cause it to yaw and tumble 90 degrees once resistance increases sharply at the tissue interface. FSM claims the mechanism functions across a range of velocities, which is relevant for the 45-70 because the same cartridge can be fired from a 16-inch lever-action carbine or a 26-inch single-shot falling block, producing significantly different muzzle velocities. No minimum velocity threshold for reliable TUI initiation has been published by the manufacturer for this specific load, so shooters using very short barrels should consider contacting FSM directly for confirmation.

Is this load legal for hunting in California under the non-lead ammunition requirement?

Yes, the solid copper spun construction contains no lead core or lead components, which qualifies it as a non-toxic projectile under California’s non-lead hunting regulations that apply in the Condor Zone and, as of July 2019, statewide for all hunting with firearms. Hunters should verify the current California Department of Fish and Wildlife approved non-lead list before each season, as regulatory updates occur periodically. The absence of a lead core also means this load is well-suited for other states and jurisdictions with non-toxic ammunition requirements for specific species or wildlife management areas.

How does the FSM TUI 300 gr compare to the Barnes VOR-TX 300 gr TSX for deer hunting?

Both loads use solid copper construction and are lead-free, but the terminal mechanisms differ fundamentally. The Barnes TSX expands radially by peeling back copper petals to roughly double the original diameter, creating a mushroom profile that transfers energy over a controlled expansion zone. The FSM TUI does not expand; instead it tumbles 90 degrees to present a larger cross-section through soft tissue, theoretically creating a wider wound channel relative to its caliber. In practice, both have strong reputations for deep penetration and high weight retention on deer-sized game. The Barnes load has more published ballistic data including a BC and advertised velocity, which simplifies trajectory planning. Choosing between them largely comes down to whether a hunter prioritizes the more data-rich Barnes platform or the velocity-independent tumbling mechanism of the TUI.

Can this ammunition be used for home defense in a lever-action rifle?

Fort Scott Munitions explicitly markets the TUI technology as suitable for home and self-defense applications alongside hunting use. The 45-70 in a lever-action is a legitimate home defense platform in rural settings, and the TUI’s solid copper profile means it lacks a hollow point — a legal consideration in states like New Jersey and New York where hollow-point ammunition carry is restricted or regulated. That said, the 45-70 Government generates significant overpenetration risk in urban or suburban environments regardless of bullet design; even a tumbling solid copper projectile retains substantial energy after passing through a standard interior wall. Shooters selecting this load for defense should carefully evaluate their specific environment and backdrop before committing to it as a primary defensive round.

What platforms chamber the 45-70 Government, and does barrel length significantly affect this load’s performance?

The 45-70 Government is chambered in lever-action rifles, single-shot break-action and falling-block rifles, and a small number of bolt-action and semi-automatic platforms. Common lever-action barrel lengths run from 16 to 22 inches, while single-shot rifles often use 24- to 28-inch barrels. In the 45-70, each additional inch of barrel typically adds 20–35 fps of muzzle velocity, meaning a 16-inch carbine may produce 200–300 fps less than a 26-inch single-shot with the same load. Because FSM does not publish a reference barrel length or muzzle velocity for this load, trajectory planning requires either chronograph testing or conservative assumptions. Hunters using short-barrel lever guns should confirm point-of-impact at hunting distances rather than relying on generic ballistic tables.

Fort Scott Munitions Tumble Upon Impact 45-70 Gov 300 Grain Solid Copper Spun (Box)

$47.99

in stock