Rifle · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
.40-90 Sharps Bottleneck
Bottleneck (necked) .40-90 Sharps — a black-powder buffalo cartridge of the 1870s–80s, distinct from the straight .40-90..
- Caliber
- 0.403″ · 10.24 mm
- Introduced
- 1873
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .40-70 Sharps
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1873
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company
- Manufacturer
- Sharps
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 90 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
- 10.2–11.9 ft·lb
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .40-90 Sharps Bottleneck, 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
- .40-70 Sharps
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 ⌀ | 11.05 | 0.435 | |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 12.85 | 0.506 | |
| Rim ⌀ | 15.29 | 0.602 | |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.90 | 0.075 | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 66.80 | 2.630 | |
| Overall length | 87.38 | 3.440 | |
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 Bottleneck is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for .40-90 Sharps Bottleneck? 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.
Lineage
Connected reference
History
The .40-90 Sharps Bottleneck is a straight rimmed rifle cartridge, introduced in 1873.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .40-90 Sharps Bottleneck use?
- .40-90 Sharps Bottleneck typically uses a 1:17 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .40-90 Sharps Bottleneck?
- .40-90 Sharps Bottleneck uses a 0.403″ (10.24 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .40-90 Sharps Bottleneck still in production?
- .40-90 Sharps Bottleneck is obsolete; typical availability is collector.
- What is .40-90 Sharps Bottleneck used for?
- .40-90 Sharps Bottleneck is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .40-90 Sharps Bottleneck based on?
- .40-90 Sharps Bottleneck is derived from the .40-70 Sharps case.
Sources & provenance
- Reference Reloading Data .40-90 BN / .40-90 Bottleneck (Venturino Data) · velocity_max_fps
- Reference Reloading Data .40-90 Sharps (Necked) · velocity_max_fps
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
