362: 45-70 vs 308 Winchester Caliber Comparison

362: 45-70 vs 308 Winchester Caliber Comparison

Author: John McAdams March 13, 2025 Duration: 47:29

Today we're going to talk about two completely different rounds: the 45-70 Government and the 308 Winchester. Comparing these two cartridges is a great example of how a person who doesn't know any better can get a wildly distorted view of how two cartridges compare to each other by simply looking at their performance on paper. We'll discuss the overall design characteristics and performance specs of each round then compare how they stack up next to each other. I'll also cover how they each perform in some ballistic gel tests and discuss the situations where each one excels.

Take the Big Game Hunting Podcast Listener Survey here (everyone who completes the survey by 23 March 2025 will be entered in a drawing for a $50 Cabela's gift card)

Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/Ebook and sign up to receive my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday.

Resources

45-70 vs 308: Comparing Oranges To Pineapples – Blog article referenced in podcast

Best Hunting Ear Protection For Sportsmen – Ear protection recommendations

Best Rifle Scopes For Hunting - Rifle scope recommendations

Best Hunting Rifle Slings - Rifle sling recommendations

Best 308 Hunting Ammo - 308 Winchester ammo recommendations

Best 45-70 Ammo For Hunting - 45-70 ammo recommendations


John McAdams hosts the Big Game Hunting Podcast, a conversation grounded in the realities of pursuing game across continents. Each episode feels like a detailed campfire talk, moving from the technical specifics of terminal ballistics and caliber selection to the raw, unforgettable narratives from the field in Africa, North America, and beyond. McAdams brings together a global community, with voices ranging from seasoned industry professionals to fellow hunters who call in with their own experiences. The focus is always on practical knowledge and authentic stories, stripping away any pretense to get to the heart of what hunters actually want to discuss. By sharing his own journey of learning and improvement, McAdams creates a space where curiosity and respect for the wilderness drive the dialogue. Tuning into this podcast means joining a serious yet accessible exchange where the complexities of the hunt are explored without filter. New conversations are released every Thursday, offering a consistent dose of insight and camaraderie for anyone passionate about the pursuit.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!
Podcast Episodes
342: How Nosler Bullets Perform Afield With Cable Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:17
Cable Smith joins me on the show again as we talk about some of his recent experiences hunting with the legendary Nosler Partition and AccuBond along with the Solid Base bullet from their new Whitetail Country line. Spon…
341: Last chance to help me test some ammo! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:56
Today is the last chance to throw your name in the hat to potentially receive some free Nosler Whitetail Country ammunition to test out this fall. To enter the random drawing for the chance to test and evaluate Nosler Wh…
340: The best new rifle of 2024? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:36
Sometimes you just find a rifle that just flat out works: it fits you well, it's not excessively large or heavy, has a nice trigger, it's easy to shoot accurately, it's not finicky and doesn't require an extensive break-…
339: Want to help me test some ammo? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:23
Nosler just sent me a bunch of their new Whitetail Country line of ammunition and I need some help testing and evaluating how it performs afield this fall. Here's how you can help me out and potentially receive some free…
338: 338 Caliber Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:59:45
I discuss all of the 33 caliber CIP and SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy rounds) in this episode and discuss their history, legacy, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended us…
337: I just punched my moose tag! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:29
I just made it home from an outstanding moose hunt in Colorado with my son! We had an amazing trip and I successfully took a cow Shiras Moose, which was a species I wasn't sure I'd ever get to hunt because those tags are…
336: Best Cartridge for Hunting Darn Near Anything with Ron Spomer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:40
Ron Spomer is back on the show and we discuss a subject I know you'll enjoy: our favorite cartridges for hunting virtually any species of big game. We're play little game where Ron and I each list our favorite cartridge…
334: 22 ARC Cartridge Profile [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:28
Today, we're talking about Hornady's new 22 Advanced Rifle Cartridge (22 ARC), which purports to deliver 22-250 level performance out of an AR-15 platform. In this episode I discuss whether or not Hornady delivers on tha…
333: About That Buffalo Roy Weatherby Shot With A 257 Weatherby... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:41
As I promised you a couple of weeks ago, we're going to talk about the details I've been able to dig up regarding the often repeated story where Roy Weatherby supposedly killed a cape buffalo with the 257 Weatherby Magnu…