Ammo Reports Team
| Official Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Remington |
| Cartridge | 45-70 Government |
| Product Line | Core-Lokt – Full Pressure |
| Bullet Name / Bullet Type | Core-Lokt Soft Point |
| Bullet Weight | 405 gr |
| SKU / Part Number / Item Number | 21459 / R4570G1 |
| UPC | 047700475400 |
| Rounds per Box | 20 |
| Muzzle Velocity | 1,600 fps |
| Muzzle Energy | 2,302 ft-lb |
| Ballistic Coefficient G1 | 0.281 |
| Ballistic Coefficient G7 | Not found |
| Case Material | Not found |
| Primer | Boxer (Large Rifle), Remington 9 1/2 – 2021 catalog |
| Reloadable | Not found |
| Test Barrel Length | Not found |
| Zero Distance | 100 yd |
| Sight Height | 1.5 in |
| Intended Use | Big-game hunting at woods and brush distances |
| Product Status | Current manufacturer listing |
| Closest Competitors | Federal Power-Shok 45-70 Gov’t 300 Gr JSP; Winchester Super-X 45-70 Government 300 gr JHP; Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 Gov’t 325 Gr FTX; Buffalo Bore 45-70 Gov’t 405 Gr Hard Cast FN; Hornady Custom 45-70 Gov’t 325 Gr FP-XTP; Remington Core-Lokt 45-70 Gov’t 300 Gr SP |
Data is based on official manufacturer sources. Found an error? Send us the source link.
Ballistics Table – 100-Yard Zero
Calculated reference – not manufacturer data. G1 point-mass reference using BC 0.281, 1,600 fps muzzle velocity, 405 gr bullet, 100-yard zero and 1.5-inch sight height. Atmosphere: sea level, 59 F, 29.92 inHg, dry air, no wind. The 25-yard rows use shape-preserving interpolation between calculated 50-yard outputs.
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1,600 | 2,302 | -1.5 |
| 25 | 1,542 | 2,138 | +0.4 |
| 50 | 1,486 | 1,986 | +1.2 |
| 75 | 1,432 | 1,845 | +0.8 |
| 100 | 1,381 | 1,716 | 0.0 |
| 125 | 1,333 | 1,597 | -2.2 |
| 150 | 1,287 | 1,489 | -5.8 |
| 175 | 1,244 | 1,392 | -10.6 |
| 200 | 1,204 | 1,304 | -16.8 |
| 225 | 1,167 | 1,225 | -24.5 |
| 250 | 1,134 | 1,156 | -33.8 |
| 275 | 1,104 | 1,095 | -44.8 |
| 300 | 1,077 | 1,043 | -57.6 |
Key takeaway: This table is a trajectory reference under the stated conditions, not a terminal-performance test or a recommended maximum hunting range.
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.
Remington identifies 21459 / R4570G1 as Full Pressure, with a published muzzle velocity of 1,600 fps. Do not confuse it with the Reduced Pressure 29473 / R4570G load at 1,330 fps. Do not assume compatibility with Trapdoor or other older actions.
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 needing a cartridge with a substantially flatter trajectory than this 405 gr load
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Manufacturer descriptions establish construction and intended use, not independently measured reliability. No structured results for this exact product are recorded on this page. Remington identifies 21459 / R4570G1 as Full Pressure, with a published muzzle velocity of 1,600 fps. Do not confuse it with the Reduced Pressure 29473 / R4570G load at 1,330 fps. Do not assume compatibility with Trapdoor or other older actions.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Muzzle Velocity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Power-Shok 45-70 Gov’t 300 Gr JSP | 300 gr | Jacketed Soft Point | Not verified | Not verified | Budget alternative; lighter bullet, higher velocity, flatter trajectory |
| Winchester Super-X 45-70 Government 300 gr JHP | 300 gr | Jacketed Hollow Point | Not verified | 1,880 fps | Budget alternative; aggressive expansion, shorter penetration than 405 gr |
| Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 Gov’t 325 Gr FTX | 325 gr | FTX Flex Tip | Not verified | Not verified | 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 | Not verified | Not verified | 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 | Not verified | Not verified | 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 | Not verified | Not verified | Same manufacturer, same bullet design, lighter weight; direct within-line comparison |
FAQ
Does the Core-Lokt 405 gr load work in a Marlin 1895 lever-action rifle?
Remington identifies 21459 / R4570G1 as Full Pressure, with a published muzzle velocity of 1,600 fps. Do not confuse it with the Reduced Pressure 29473 / R4570G load at 1,330 fps. Do not assume compatibility with Trapdoor or other older actions.
How does the Core-Lokt 405 gr compare to the Hornady LEVERevolution 325 gr FTX for deer hunting?
The verified Remington 21459 muzzle velocity is 1,600 fps, not an assumed 1,330 fps. It uses a 405 gr Core-Lokt soft point; Hornady’s 325 gr FTX is a different product. Compare each manufacturer’s own published conditions.
Is this load legal for deer hunting in states with non-toxic bullet requirements?
The projectile contains lead and is not a lead-free alternative. Check the current hunting rules for the location and species; this article does not establish regulatory approval.
What muzzle velocity and energy does the manufacturer publish for this load?
Remington publishes 1,600 fps, 2,302 ft-lb and G1 BC 0.281 for 21459. The earlier statement that muzzle velocity was not published was incorrect.
Can the Core-Lokt 405 gr be used for black bear hunting?
Remington classifies this as big-game ammunition. Published velocity and energy do not establish a universal hunting range or guarantee expansion. The table is a reference under stated conditions, not a terminal-performance test or a recommended maximum range.
