Lead mining

[Distant Thunder]

The .45-70 with almost any cast "round" nose bullet of 450 grains or more does not want for penetration. It happens to be right in the velocity niche where penetration is at the maximum and any more velocity reduces penetration and 500 grains of lead is packing a bunch of momentum. There are good reasons it continues to impress hunters and shooters today after nearly 150 years. Not many other cartridges can lay claim to such longevity! The little .22 short rimfire is the only one that can think of that has been around longer, at 163 years old.