There is something inherently satisfying about cracking open a 45 70 double barrel and sliding two massive cartridges into the chambers. It's a tactile experience that a modern bolt-action or a polymer-framed semi-auto just can't replicate. While most folks associate the .45-70 Government round with the iconic lever-action rifles of the Old West, putting that thumping caliber into a double-barrel configuration—whether side-by-side or over-under—takes the shooting experience to a completely different level. It's a blend of raw American power and classic European styling that just works, even if it is a bit of a niche choice in today's world of high-capacity magazines and long-range optics.
Why Choose Two Barrels Over a Lever?
You might be wondering why anyone would opt for a two-shot limit when you could easily carry six or seven rounds in a Marlin or a Henry lever gun. The answer usually comes down to two things: speed and reliability. When you're hunting in thick brush and something big is moving toward you, that second shot from a 45 70 double barrel is instantaneous. There's no lever to throw, no bolt to cycle, and no chance of short-stroking the action because your adrenaline is redlining. You just pull the second trigger (or reset the single trigger) and you're back in the fight.
Beyond the practicality, there's the balance. A well-made double rifle handles more like a fine shotgun than a clunky woods gun. It points naturally, sits comfortably in the crook of your arm, and swings with a fluidity that helps when you're trying to track a moving target through the timber. It feels alive in your hands in a way that most "utility" rifles don't.
The Art of Regulating the Barrels
One thing you'll hear people talk about—and sometimes complain about—with any 45 70 double barrel is "regulation." This is the process of getting both barrels to hit the same point of aim at a specific distance. Unlike a single-barrel rifle where you just move the sights to match the hole in the paper, a double rifle has two independent barrels that are usually soldered or joined together.
If the manufacturer didn't do their homework, you might find that the right barrel hits dead center at 50 yards, while the left barrel hits three inches to the left. High-end makers spend a lot of time "regulating" these guns to a specific load. It's a bit of a dark art, involving tiny adjustments to the spacers between the barrels. That's why you'll often see these rifles come with a recommendation for a specific grain weight of bullet. If the gun was regulated for 300-grain slugs and you try to shoot 500-grain "buffalo bore" loads, your groups might start looking more like a scattergun pattern.
Hunting in the Thick Stuff
The 45 70 double barrel is the king of "brush guns." If you're hunting hogs in the swamps or tracking bear in the dense woods of the Pacific Northwest, you aren't worried about 300-yard shots across a valley. You're worried about 25-yard shots through a tangle of branches. The .45-70 round is a big, slow-moving hunk of lead that doesn't get deflected as easily as a high-velocity .223 or .308 might.
There's also the "stopping power" factor. While "stopping power" is often debated in ballistics circles, there is no denying that a 405-grain soft point moving at 1,800 feet per second delivers a massive amount of energy upon impact. It's a sledgehammer. Having two of those sledgehammers ready to go without moving your hands from the firing position provides a level of confidence that's hard to beat.
Dealing with the Recoil
Let's be honest for a second: the 45 70 double barrel isn't exactly a "day at the range" plinker for the faint of heart. The .45-70 is a potent round, and when you put it in a rifle that lacks the weight of a heavy target barrel or the recoil-absorbing action of a semi-auto, you're going to feel it.
If the rifle is light—which many double barrels are designed to be for easy carrying—the recoil can be quite snappy. It's a push more than a sting, but it's a big push. Most modern versions come with a decent recoil pad, but you still need to tuck that stock tight into your shoulder. If you leave a gap, the gun will let you know. But hey, that's part of the charm, right? You're shooting a piece of history that packs a punch on both ends.
Who is Actually Making These?
You won't find a 45 70 double barrel at every big-box sporting goods store, but they are out there if you know where to look.
- Pedersoli: They are probably the most well-known name in this space. Their Kodiak Mark IV is a beautiful side-by-side that looks like it stepped right out of a 19th-century safari. They've perfected the balance between old-school aesthetics and modern metallurgy.
- Chiappa: Known for their more "utility" focused designs, Chiappa has offered various double-barrel configurations, including some that are surprisingly affordable compared to the high-end Italian or German builds.
- Sabatti: Another Italian maker that produces very solid double rifles. They tend to be a bit more modern in their styling but are legendary for their accuracy and barrel regulation.
There are also custom shops that will build you a double rifle on a 20-gauge shotgun frame, but that's a rabbit hole that can get very expensive very quickly. For most of us, the factory options from the names above are the way to go.
The Nostalgia and the "Cool Factor"
At the end of the day, a lot of the draw toward the 45 70 double barrel is purely emotional. We don't buy these because they are the most efficient way to put meat in the freezer; we buy them because they make us feel something.
There's a sense of nostalgia for a time when hunting was a slower, more deliberate pursuit. There's a connection to the hunters of the late 1800s who relied on similar big-bore doubles to protect themselves in unknown territories. When you pull a double rifle out of the case, it starts a conversation. Other shooters want to see it, they want to feel the weight, and they inevitably ask, "How's the kick?"
Is It Right for You?
So, should you actually go out and get a 45 70 double barrel? If you're a gear head who loves ballistic coefficients and sub-MOA groups at 600 yards, probably not. This isn't a precision instrument for surgical shooting.
However, if you appreciate fine craftsmanship, if you hunt in thick timber where shots are fast and close, or if you just want a rifle that feels like a piece of history in your hands, then absolutely. It's a specialized tool, but for the job it was designed to do, it's still one of the best. It's about the thump of the round, the click of the barrels locking into place, and the knowledge that you have two shots of pure American muscle ready to go. It's not just a rifle; it's an experience.