Ammo Reports Team
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Hunting (deer, hog, black bear), lever-action sport shooting |
| Bullet Type | Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) |
| Bullet Weight | 300 grain |
| Case Material | Brass (newly manufactured) |
| Primer Type | Boxer (type not specified by manufacturer) |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $59.99/box · $3.00/round |
| Closest Competitors | Hornady LEVERevolution .45-70 325 gr FTX, Federal Power-Shok .45-70 300 gr JHP, Remington Core-Lokt .45-70 405 gr SP |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | — | Not published by Winchester |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | — | Not published by Winchester |
| Bullet Weight | 300 gr | Manufacturer |
| Bullet Type | Jacketed Hollow Point | Manufacturer |
| BC G1 | — | Not published |
| BC G7 | — | Not published |
| Manufacturer SKU | — | Not published in available data |
| UPC | — | Not published in available data |
| Reloadable | Yes | Manufacturer (brass case, Boxer primer) |
Note: Winchester does not publish muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, or ballistic coefficients for this specific load on their product page or in available technical documentation. The ballistics table below is a calculated estimate based on industry-standard data for 300 gr JHP projectiles at typical .45-70 Government pressure levels for lever-action rifles. All values should be treated as approximations only.
Ballistics Table
Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature,altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzlevelocity for comparison.
Zeroed at 100 yards. Sight height: 1.5″ above bore. Assumed muzzle velocity: ~1880 fps (industry-typical for 300 gr .45-70 JHP from a 24″ rifle barrel). All values marked with ~ to indicate estimated data.
| Yards | ~Velocity (fps) | ~Energy (ft-lbs) | ~Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ~1880 | ~2355 | -1.5 |
| 50 | ~1730 | ~1993 | +1.8 |
| 100 | ~1590 | ~1684 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 150 | ~1460 | ~1419 | -5.4 |
| 200 | ~1345 | ~1205 | -15.8 |
| 250 | ~1245 | ~1033 | -32.4 |
| 300 | ~1165 | ~904 | -56.2 |
Key takeaway: The 300 grain JHP in .45-70 Government delivers substantial energy at close to moderate ranges, making it well-suited for hunting in dense timber where shots rarely exceed 150 yards. The trajectory drops sharply beyond 150 yards — roughly 5.4 inches low — which reflects the inherently rainbow-arc ballistics of large-bore lever-action cartridges. Hunters should confirm their maximum ethical range before the season and hold accordingly. At 200 yards, retained energy remains above 1,200 ft-lbs, which is adequate for deer and hog but leaves little margin for poor shot placement at distance.
The JHP in a Lever-Action Context
The jacketed hollow point design in a .45-70 Government load occupies a specific role. Unlike flat-nosed or soft-point bullets historically favored in tubular magazines, a JHP in this caliber is typically loaded with a controlled-expansion profile that initiates reliably at the moderate impact velocities common to lever-action rifles. The large frontal diameter of a .458-inch projectile already creates a substantial wound channel even before expansion, so the hollow point’s primary benefit here is consistent, rapid mushrooming at woods-range velocities rather than dramatic diameter increase.
Winchester’s Super-X line, which dates to 1921 and originated as a shotshell brand before expanding to centerfire rifle ammunition, has long emphasized dependable terminal performance over cutting-edge ballistic design. This load reflects that philosophy: it is not engineered around polymer tips or bonded cores, but rather around a straightforward copper-jacketed lead-core bullet that performs predictably across the velocity range a lever-action .45-70 produces. Shooters using this load in single-shot or bolt-action rifles capable of higher-pressure loads should verify that this specific load is appropriate for their firearm’s pressure rating.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Deer hunting in heavy brush or timber where shots are under 150 yards
- Wild hog hunting at close to moderate range
- Black bear hunting in states where JHP is legal for big game
- Lever-action rifle practice at ranges where trajectory management is part of the training goal
- Hunters who prefer newly manufactured brass for consistent chamber fit and reliable feeding
Not the right tool for:
- Long-range hunting scenarios beyond 200 yards, where trajectory drop becomes difficult to manage reliably
- Elk or moose hunting, where deeper penetration from a bonded or hard-cast bullet is generally preferred
- Firearms chambered for higher-pressure .45-70 loads only (confirm pressure compatibility before use)
- Jurisdictions or hunting zones that prohibit lead-core projectiles — this is a lead-core JHP, not a lead-free alternative
- Competitors or handloaders seeking a premium, high-BC projectile for precision work
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source product information: Winchester describes the Super-X line as built on dependable components with a history of consistent ignition and feeding across lever-action platforms. The newly manufactured brass casings are noted as a quality indicator, suggesting dimensional consistency beneficial for reliable chambering in tubular-magazine rifles. No documented feeding or primer issues specific to this load appear in publicly available sources at the time of writing. All reliability observations here come from manufacturer claims or open sources — not structured, independently verified data.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Adv. Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady LEVERevolution .45-70 325 gr FTX | 325 gr | FTX (polymer-tipped) | ~0.230 | ~2050 fps | ~$60–$70 | Tubular-magazine safe; higher BC than JHP; premium option |
| Federal Power-Shok .45-70 300 gr JHP | 300 gr | JHP | Not published | ~1850 fps | ~$45–$55 | Same weight and bullet type; budget alternative |
| Remington Core-Lokt .45-70 405 gr SP | 405 gr | Soft Point | Not published | ~1330 fps | ~$50–$60 | Heavier; deeper penetration; lower velocity |
| Buffalo Bore .45-70 300 gr JHP (Lever-Action) | 300 gr | JHP | Not published | ~1900 fps | ~$65–$75 | Lever-action safe pressure; premium pricing |
| Fiocchi .45-70 300 gr JSP | 300 gr | Jacketed Soft Point | Not published | ~1800 fps | ~$45–$55 | Budget alternative; JSP vs JHP terminal difference |
The Hornady LEVERevolution is the most direct premium competitor and offers a published higher ballistic coefficient, making it the preferred choice for hunters who need to stretch range. The Federal Power-Shok at the same bullet weight and type is the closest budget comparison. No recalls or discontinuation notices were identified for any loads in this table at time of writing.
Price Reality
- Typical retail range: $55–$65 per 20-round box; case pricing (typically 10 boxes / 200 rounds) is not widely standardized for this load but would be expected in the $550–$650 range where available
- Per-round cost: approximately $3.00/round at the $59.99 price point
- The Federal Power-Shok 300 gr JHP runs approximately $2.25–$2.75/round, making it a meaningful savings for volume shooters
- The Hornady LEVERevolution 325 gr FTX is similarly priced or slightly higher, but offers published ballistic data and a higher-BC projectile
- Fair price benchmark: $55–$65 per box is within the expected range for this load; listings above $70 per box for standard retail stock should be considered overpriced unless supply conditions explain the premium
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Winchester Super-X .45-70 300 Grain JHP (Box)
Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.
FAQ
Does the JHP bullet design work reliably at .45-70 lever-action velocities?
Jacketed hollow points are generally engineered to expand across a range of impact velocities, but terminal performance is velocity-dependent. The .45-70 Government, when fired from a lever-action rifle, typically produces muzzle velocities in the 1,800–1,950 fps range for a 300 grain projectile, which is sufficient to initiate expansion in a quality JHP at close to moderate range. At longer distances where velocity has dropped significantly, expansion becomes less predictable. For shots inside 150 yards on medium to large game, this design is well-suited; beyond that, a bonded or polymer-tipped bullet may offer more consistent terminal performance.
Is this load safe for all .45-70 Government firearms, including older or replica lever-action rifles?
This is an important consideration. The .45-70 Government has been chambered in firearms across a very wide pressure range — from original Trapdoor Springfield-era designs to modern Marlin and Henry lever-actions to single-shot rifles capable of much higher pressures. Winchester Super-X .45-70 loads are generally manufactured to SAAMI standard pressure for the cartridge, which makes them compatible with most modern lever-action rifles. However, shooters using older or reproduction Trapdoor-style actions should confirm compatibility, as those platforms are designed for significantly lower pressure levels. Always consult your firearm’s manual.
How does this load compare to the Hornady LEVERevolution 325 gr FTX for deer hunting?
The Hornady LEVERevolution offers a polymer-tipped FTX bullet with a published higher ballistic coefficient, which translates to a flatter trajectory and better retained velocity at distance. For hunters who anticipate shots beyond 150 yards, the LEVERevolution has a measurable advantage. The Winchester Super-X 300 gr JHP is a lighter bullet, which may produce slightly higher velocity and marginally less drop at close range, but the absence of published ballistic data from Winchester makes a precise comparison difficult. For strictly close-range timber hunting, both loads are competitive; for any open-ground shooting, the LEVERevolution’s ballistic advantage becomes more relevant.
Can this ammunition be used for black bear hunting?
The 300 grain JHP at .45-70 velocities delivers substantial energy — estimated above 2,300 ft-lbs at the muzzle — which is adequate for black bear at appropriate distances. Hunters should verify local regulations, as some jurisdictions have restrictions on bullet construction types for certain species. For larger or potentially dangerous bear at very close range, some hunters prefer a hard-cast or bonded bullet that prioritizes deep penetration over expansion. The JHP design is a reasonable choice for black bear in typical hunting scenarios but may not be the first recommendation for situations where maximum penetration through heavy bone is the priority.
Why doesn’t Winchester publish velocity or energy data for this load?
Winchester does not publish complete ballistic specifications for every load in their catalog, and the Super-X line includes some loads where only bullet weight and type are listed on the product page. This is a known gap in their published data and not unique to this specific load. Shooters who need confirmed velocity figures for trajectory planning should consult independent chronograph tests published by firearms media or community data sources. The absence of published specs does not indicate a product defect — it reflects a documentation practice by the manufacturer that makes independent verification more important for this load than for competitors who publish full ballistic tables.
