Rifle · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
.40-50 Sharps Straight
Straight-cased .40-50 Sharps — a black-powder .40-caliber Sharps cartridge for medium game and target work, distinct from the more common necked (bottleneck) .40-50..
- Caliber
- 0.403″ · 10.236 mm
- Introduced
- 1879
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1879
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Sharps Rifle Company
- Manufacturer
- Sharps
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 54.6 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:17
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 31,900 CUP, SAAMI crusher
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 3500 yd
- Recoil
- 4.8–7.3 ft·lb
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .40-50 Sharps Straight, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Dimensions · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 10.24 | 0.403 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 10.69 | 0.421 | |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 11.53 | 0.454 | |
| Rim ⌀ | 14.07 | 0.554 | |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.70 | 0.067 | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 47.75 | 1.880 | |
| Overall length | 66.80 | 2.630 | |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .40-50 Sharps Straight is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for .40-50 Sharps Straight? Some case measurements aren't in a published SAAMI/CIP drawing yet. Have a factory or reamer print? Send it → — verified hard-to-find data earns a free Lindcott sticker.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .40-50 Sharps Straight
Connected reference
History
The .40-50 Sharps Straight was introduced in 1879 by Sharps Rifle Company.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .40-50 Sharps Straight use?
- .40-50 Sharps Straight typically uses a 1:17 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .40-50 Sharps Straight?
- .40-50 Sharps Straight uses a 0.403″ (10.236 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .40-50 Sharps Straight still in production?
- .40-50 Sharps Straight is obsolete; typical availability is collector.
- What is .40-50 Sharps Straight used for?
- .40-50 Sharps Straight is primarily used for hunting.
Sources & provenance
- Manufacturer Buffalo Arms — 40-50 Sharps Straight Black Powder Ammunition (.403" 330 gr, for originals) · bullet ⌀ archived
- Reference F+W Media (W. Todd Woodard) — Cartridges of the World, 14th ed. — W. Todd Woodard, pp. 586 · grain weights, velocity
- Secondary Wikipedia (pointer to Woodard & Guns of the World) — .40-50 Sharps · year archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
