Phoenix Weaponry Christine Rifle Chambered in NEW .45-70 Auto
Phoenix Weaponry has announced the launch of their new AR-10 pattern rifle chambered in a new cartridge called .45-70 Auto. The new cartridge duplicates the .45-70 Government performance in an AR-10 platform.
This cartridge is made by turning the rim of the .45-70 Government cartridge and cutting a new rimcut. The result is a rebated rim cartridge with a rim diameter of .473 (identical to .308 Winchester rim diameter). The advantage of the rebated rim is that the new cartridge fits the standard AR-10 bolt face. The .45-70 Auto is headspaced on the case mouth.
For reloading, the company suggests using .45-70 Government reloading data. Standard .45-70 reloading dies with a .308 shell holder can be used to reload this ammunition. The factory brass will be available soon on Phoenix Weaponry website. The rifles will also come with 50 pieces of brass.
As in the case of many other Phoenix Weaponry rifles, the .45-70 Auto version has a feminine name – Christine. The rifle is based on the company’s upper and lower receivers which are CNC machined out of billet 7075-T7 aluminum. The rifle comes with 18″ or 20″ custom profiled Douglas barrels with 1:14 twist rate. The company claims to achieve sub-MOA accuracy.
Other features are the machined dust cover which fits flush with the receiver when closed, proprietary stronger barrel nut, custom muzzle brake, custom 3 lb trigger, flared magazine well etc.
Here is a video by Phoenix Weaponry showing the new rifle.
This rifle is available for purchase via the Phoenix Weaponry website at a base price of $4,800.
UPDATE: Phoenix Weaponry has published a couple of new images of the .45-70 Auto cartridge.
Managing Editor Being a lifelong firearms enthusiast, Hrachya always enjoys studying the history and design of guns and ammunition. Should you need to contact him, feel free to shoot him a message at Hrachya@TheFirearmBlog.com
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Uh...the .450 Bushmaster is ballistically a .45-70 in the smaller, lighter AR-15 platform...why would you want a bigger, heavier rifle that needs specialty ammo, etc.? I don't get it. The 450BM will take anything in North America, especially with all the new loads and bullet types that have become available for it...
The Novelty is strong with this one.... and that's about all it's got going for it. A semi-auto .45-70 isn't just useless, it actually defeats the entire point of using .45-70. Hell, I would argue that smokeless powder in a .45-70 defeats the purpose. .45-70 is a relic from America's past, and should be experienced as such, as a historical slice of Americana with some kind of wooden stocked lever action and a cloud of smoke, not as the latest AR gimmick being farted out by an industry flailing about for a real innovative idea.
I'm sure the fit and finish on this travesty will be as excellent as it is unnecessary. Meanwhile, I'm going to continue planning an InRangeTV inspired WWSD rifle and a .224 Valkyrie DMR.