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Lindcott Armory

Rifle · Proprietary

.45-120 Sharps

Also known as .45-120 · 3 1/4 inch .45 Sharps · .45-120 Sharps Silhouette

The largest commercially produced Sharps .45 caliber cartridge; loaded with 120 grains of black powder.

Caliber
0.4579″ · 11.63 mm
Introduced
1878
Case
Rimmed
Status
Limited

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Velocity1,405–1,692 fps
Energy2,345–3,400 ft·lb · est.
Identity
Introduced
1878
Type
Rifle
Origin
United States
Inventor
Sharps Rifle Company
Standard
Proprietary
Status
Limited
Availability
Rare
Build
Primer
Berdan Large Rifle
Case type
Rimmed
Pressure & range
Max pressure
22,000 psi
Eff. range
600 yd

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · velocity only, no drag model · 100 yd zero0–500 yd
-120" -100" -80" -60" -40" -20" 0" Line of sight 0 yd 50 yd 100 yd 150 yd 200 yd 250 yd 300 yd 350 yd 400 yd 450 yd 500 yd 100 yd zero 121″ drop @ 500 yd
Drop Zero

Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .45-120 Sharps, 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.

CIP TDCC · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀ 11.630.458 ✓
Neck ⌀ 12.220.481 ✓
Shoulder ⌀ n/a
Shoulder angle n/a
Base ⌀ 12.840.506 ✓
Rim ⌀ 15.440.608 ✓
Belt ⌀ n/a
Rim thickness 1.780.070 ✓
Neck length n/a
Case length 82.553.250 ✓
Overall length 105.664.160 ~

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. .45-120 Sharps is highlighted below.

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 .45-120 Sharps

12 models in the database chamber .45-120 Sharps. Browse all →

Pedersoli Sharps 1874 Long Range 45-90 34-inchChiappa Firearms Quigley Sharps 1874 .45-70 Government 34-inchUberti Sharps 1874Pedersoli Sharps 1874 Sporting 45-70 32-inchDavide Pedersoli Sharps 1874 Sporting Rifle .45-70 GovtPedersoli Sharps 1874 Silhouette .45-70 Gov'tPedersoli Sharps 1874 .45-70 GovtPedersoli Target Rifle 1874 Sharps .45-70 Government 30-inchShiloh Sharps Sharps Model 1874 Montana Roughrider .45-70 GovtDavide Pedersoli Sharps 1874 Long Range .45-70 Gov 30-inchPedersoli Sharps SportingPedersoli Sharps 1874

Connected reference

FirearmsFirearms in .45-120 SharpsToolCompare ballistics

History

The most powerful of the commercial Sharps .45 caliber cartridges, the .45-120 used a 3.25-inch case — the longest in the Sharps lineup. Originally developed for extreme long-range use, it remains available today from specialty manufacturers for Shiloh, C. Sharps Arms, and other Sharps replica shooters who compete in long-range silhouette and black powder matches.

FAQs

What bullet diameter is .45-120 Sharps?
.45-120 Sharps uses a 0.4579″ (11.63 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .45-120 Sharps still in production?
.45-120 Sharps is limited; typical availability is rare.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →