Effectiveness of the .45-70 Government in Dinosaur Battles: Myth vs. Reality

Did you see Christopher Pratt's portrayal in Jurassic World? Despite the dinosaur DominixRex being highly invasive and seemingly impervious to conventional weaponry, one might wonder, if a firearm like the Marlin 1895SBL in .45-70 Government had been used, would it have made a difference? Would shooting its knees really have brought it down?

45-70 Government: A Versatile and Powerful Round

The 45-70 Government is renowned for its effectiveness in hunting large game such as elephants and Cape buffalos, which might make one wonder if it could also be a formidable tool against a mighty dinosaur. However, venom and time might play as critical roles as the bullet's impact.

While the 45-70 Government cartridge can certainly kill almost any terrestrial creature on earth if used correctly, the question of whether hitting a dinosaur's knees would be sufficient is another matter. The area of vital organs like the heart and lungs would be more critical. If the dinosaur was charging towards you, targeting such areas would be the most prudent approach.

Practical Considerations for In-Field Use

A real-life encounter with a charging grizzly bear taught us that shot placement is key. Two defensive shots to the heart and lungs proved effective, far more so than shots to the legs. Given the .45-70 Government's 6-round capacity, the likelihood of hitting a vulnerable area on a moving, albeit dinosaur-sized, target with every round, especially in a high-stress situation, is highly improbable.

Moreover, the slide of the projectile would depend not only on the speed of the target but also on factors like the shooter's skill, the firearm's mechanics, and the angle of the shot. While in principle, a shot to the knees might slow a creature down, the effectiveness of such a shot in a chaotic scenario is questionable.

Alternatives and Historical Context

Historically, the most successful elephant hunters have utilized cartridges like the 7mm Mauser, which is virtually identical to the .270 Winchester and .280 Remington. These rounds are popular for large-game hunting like moose, bison, and brown bears. The 45-70 Government, while powerful, is more suitable for shorter-range, larger game.

Therefore, in the context of Jurassic World, if you were to shoot a dinosaur like the DominixRex, a shot to the heart or lungs would likely be the most effective. Using the 45-70 Government cartridge, you could take as many shots as possible, but the key would be in the placement and the speed at which you could deliver them.

Note: While this article provides insights into the effectiveness of the 45-70 Government, it is a work of fiction. The dynamics of hunting a dinosaur with modern weaponry are highly speculative and should not be replicated in real life.