Traditions Outfitter G2 .45-70 Single-Shot Rifle

A highly weatherproof, hard hitting, lightweight and affordable option for the single-shot hunter

Traditions has been so successful with their G2 single-shot, break-action cartridge rifle that they’ve just introduced a 16th model in the line—a 22-inch-fluted, 1:20″ twist rate barrel, silver Cerakoted rifle chambered in .45-70 Govt. with a 22-inch fluted barrel with ported, no-nonsense muzzle brake affixed to the barrel (overall barrel length with muzzle brake is 23.50”).

The new-for-2017 Outfitter G2 is available in .357 Mag., .44 Mag., .243 Win., .35 Rem., .35 Whelen, and the subject of this review, the hard-hitting .45/70 Govt.

The other 15 models include chamberings in .243 Win., .35 Rem., .45-70 Govt., .44 Mag., .35 Whelen and .357 Mag., with or without black or Realtree Xtra camo furniture and 3-9×40 mm scope packages with rings and bases ( $439 to $586). All models feature a 22-inch fluted barrels, silver Cerakoted barrel and action, polymer trigger guard with integral cross-bolt safety, black (or camo) furniture with deep-molded checkering on the sides of the forearm and the neck of the buttstock, raised Monte Carlo cheek piece, 3/4” soft rubber butt pad and sling swivel studs front and rear.

The break-action is opened via a pull-to-the-rear action release located in front of the trigger guard, with the safety on or off, but with the hammer in the uncocked position. The external hammer can only be moved to the cocked position with the safety in the off-safe position.

The G2 is a precision rifle, making it the perfect choice for whitetail and large game hunting Accuracy is excellent and ergonomics are among the best. With a 22″ Chromoly fluted barrel, the Outfitter G2 is lightweight, easy to carry, and very accurate. The transfer bar safety and manual trigger block safety make this one of the safest rifles on the market. As with all Traditions G2 rifles, the action can be opened with the safety in the on- or off-safe positions, but the external hammer can only be moved to the cocked position with the safety in the off-safe position. The break-action is opened via a pull-to-the-rear action release located in front of the trigger guard, with the safety on or off, but with the hammer in the uncocked position. A transfer-bar safety is provided to prevent unintended discharges if the hammer is compressed under load unintentionally. The trigger is typical of the Traditions rifles and muzzle loaders we’ve tested over the years—excellent, with minimal stacking, take-up and over-travel, and a crisp and decisive break and at an average pull weight of less than four pounds. The receivers of then non-scope-equipped G2s are drilled and tapped for scope mounts.

Attached to the muzzle of the chromoly, fluted and Cerekoted 22-inch barrel is a very effective 24-port muzzle brake. During range and field-testing the Outfitter G2, we found that it exhibited notably less perceived recoil than comparable lever-action .45-70 Govt. rifles, thanks—in entirety—to its muzzle brake.

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