Rifle · Obsolete
.40-90 Sharps
Large Sharps cartridge for single-shot buffalo rifles of the 1870s–1880s.
- Caliber
- 0.4031″ · 10.24 mm
- Introduced
- 1875
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1875
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Sharps Rifle Company
- Manufacturer
- Sharps Rifle Company
- Standard
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Antique
- Case capacity
- 90 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:18
- Primer
- Boxer Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 22,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Recoil
- 14–20 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Introduced by Sharps Rifle Company
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .40-90 Sharps — an obsolete/collector cartridge.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
reloading data · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 10.24 | 0.403 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | — | — | |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 12.90 | 0.508 | ~ |
| Rim ⌀ | 16.76 | 0.660 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | — | — | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 82.55 | 3.250 | ~ |
| Overall length | 104.14 | 4.100 | ~ |
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. .40-90 Sharps is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for .40-90 Sharps? 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.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
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 .40-90 Sharps
1 model in the database chamber .40-90 Sharps. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Sharps Rifle Company's large-bore black powder cartridge from the 1870s, used by buffalo hunters on the Great Plains. Fires a 370-grain bullet propelled by 90 grains of black powder. An icon of the hide-hunting era; completely obsolete but reproduced for Sharps reproduction rifles.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .40-90 Sharps use?
- .40-90 Sharps typically uses a 1:18 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .40-90 Sharps?
- .40-90 Sharps uses a 0.4031″ (10.24 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .40-90 Sharps still in production?
- .40-90 Sharps is obsolete; typical availability is antique.
- What is .40-90 Sharps used for?
- .40-90 Sharps is primarily used for hunting.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 4 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →