When is a .45-70 Government Rifle Overkill for Home Protection?

Yes, yes it is. I can't see a situation where I would want to break out my .45-70 inside my home over the many other options. This powerful rifle, known for its .45-70 Government caliber, is undoubtedly a formidable tool in any hunter's arsenal. However, for the purposes of home protection, it may be overkill. Let's explore why.

Defining "Overkill" in Home Protection

Overkill can be defined as an action that is more extreme or excessive than necessary for a given situation. When it comes to home protection, the term "overkill" might refer to a weapon or approach that is more powerful or difficult to use than is strictly necessary to protect oneself and one's family. Would you hesitate to consider any action if the life of your family or yourself were at risk?

In my personal arsenal, I do have a shotgun and other firearms to utilize for home protection. However, I do own a .45-70 levergun that I could use as a last resort, but only in an exceptional scenario.

The .45-70: A Heavy yet Modest Caliber

The .45-70 in modern loadings is a powerful round, capable of delivering a heavy, large-caliber bullet at a moderate speed. The disadvantages of this caliber are primarily heavy recoil, and the fact that it tends to over-penetrate, even more so than conventional heavy pistol cartridges. Unlike some modern rifle rounds such as the 5.56mm, the .45-70 does not offer the sort of catastrophic impact that reduces the risk of overpenetration.

A .45-70 flatnose or hollow-point round will likely be a one-shot stop on a human target, given a center of mass hit. However, for large game animals common in North America, such as bears or mountain lions, the .45-70 can be very effective.

Edit: The .45-70 caliber rifle generally does not come in a semi-automatic form due to its size, which means magazine capacities are quite low. However, it is found in several lever-action rifles and carbines suitable for home defense.

Considerations and Trade-offs

Every weapon and caliber comes with its own set of trade-offs and compromises. If you live in a rural area where you may face dangerous wildlife such as bears, mountain lions, or even human intruders, a .45-70 rifle could be a suitable choice. Additionally, in a situation where you might have to fire through automobile glass or bodywork, a .45-70 could be viable.

For urban areas where you're primarily dealing with human threats, a smaller caliber with a higher magazine capacity might be more reasonable. If you prefer a lever action, there are often .44 Magnum variants that are powerful and accurate at short ranges, and offer a greater magazine capacity. These lever-action .44 Magnum rifles could also be viable for short-range rural defense against wildlife.

So, to answer the original question: The .45-70 can be an effective defensive weapon, but in most cases, there are often better choices available based on potential targets and risks.

Conclusion

While the .45-70 Government rifle is a powerful and effective tool, it may not always be the best choice for home protection. Consider your specific situation, including the potential targets and risks you face, before choosing a weapon for home defense.