The 45-70 and the 556 NATO are two widespread cartridges that are only getting more popular. These two cartridges can often be seen in any gun store anywhere. Finding out the difference between the two cartridges can be challenging, so in this article, I will compare the two cartridges in depth to see which one is better.
Here is the short answer:
The 45-70 has much more energy than the 556 NATO at close range. However, at long range, the 556 has less drop. If you need a heavy-hitting close-range cartridge go with the 45-70, if you want a longer-range cartridge weaker cartridge, then go with the 556.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look more in-depth at each cartridge, why one cartridge is better, and when you would want one cartridge over the other.
45-70
The 45-70 is a cartridge that was made by the US military in 1893. It was chambered in the Springfield model 1873 which is a trapdoor rifle. However, due to the less-than-desirable trajectory, low energy at long range, and lack of speed to reload, the 45-70 and Springfield rifles were replaced by the 30-40 Krag bolt action.
Throughout its time, the 45-70 was utilized for many things, but the most popular are long-range shooting, when it was the most efficient cartridge of its time, and hunting. In its beginning years as a cartridge, it was used to hunt the last of the bison that lived on the plains which is how it got its reputation as a viable big game cartridge.
The 45-70 is a cartridge with very poor ballistics at long range. With a 300-grain bullet, and a 100-yard zero, the 45-70 drops 176 inches at 500 yards which is 3 times that of a 30-06. Energy-wise, at 500 yards, the 45-70 has 650 foot-pounds of energy and at 100 yards has 1800 foot-pounds of kinetic energy.
556 NATO
The 556 NATO was made in the late 1970s after the military adopted the .223 Remington as their new service cartridge. The 556 and 223 appear identical to the naked eye but actually, the 556 NATO has a 0.125-inch longer throat and higher chamber pressure. Because of this higher pressure, a 556 NATO can not be shot in a rifle chambered for 223, but a .223 Remington can be shot out of a rifle chambered for 556, with the only downside being minimal loss in acracy.
Nowadays, the 556 is utilized in the military and by varmint hunters. Because of the low energy of the 556, it is known for being great at taking down coyotes while still preserving the pelt. Hog hunters also adore the 556 because it is traditionally cambered in an AR-15 which is a semi-automatic rifle making it easier to take down multiple hogs at once.
At 100 yards (the zero distance), with a 64-grain bullet, the 556 NATO has just over 1000 foot-pounds of energy. At 500 yards, it drops to 300-foot pounds of kinetic energy and 62 inches of drop. Overall, the 556 is a weak cartridge compared to most hunting cartridges used today.
Which cartridge is better
Now that we have looked in depth at each cartridge, we can compare the two to see which one is better and why.
If you are looking for energy and don’t care about drop, then go with the 45-70. The 45-70 is a big bullet with a lot of power behind it which is the ideal formula for a heavy-hitting cartridge. So if you are going to be hunting big game at close range then you will want the 45-70.
Ballistically, the 556 is a better cartridge. The 556 has less drop and less wind drift than the 45-70, making it better for things such as long-range shooting or varmint hunting. Keep in mind, that the 556 has very little energy, so you are limited to hunting only within 200 yards.
When it comes to versatility, it is a tie. The 556 is a cartridge that be used for hunting medium game animals under 200 yards, home defense, and target shooting. On the other hand, the 45-70 can take medium to big game at close range and be used to shoot targets.
Availability-wise, the 556 is the better cartridge. The 556 is a cartridge that can be found almost anywhere because many different militaries around the world have adopted it as their primary service caliber. So in a SHTF situation, you are guaranteed to find 556 somewhere.
Conclusion
If you need a heavy-hitting close-range cartridge, go with the 45-70. If you want a lighter-hitting longer-range cartridge, go with the 556. The 556 is a better cartridge for target shooting, and the 45-70 is better for hunting that is the main difference.