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Rifle · Proprietary

.45-120 Sharps

.45-1203 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
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 · 100 yd zero0–500 yd
100 yd · zero0″−121″121″ drop @ 500 yd0250500Open 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 anglen/a
Base ⌀12.840.506✓
Rim ⌀15.440.608✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.780.070✓
Neck lengthn/a
Case length82.553.250✓
Overall length105.664.160~

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 Target Rifle 1874 Sharps .45-70 Government 30-inchShiloh Sharps Sharps Model 1874 Montana Roughrider .45-70 GovtPedersoli Sharps SportingPedersoli Sharps 1874Winchester Winchester Model 1886 .45-70 Government 26-inchSharps Rifle Manufacturing Sharps Model 1874 .45-70 Govt 28-inchSharps Rifle Manufacturing Company Sharps Model 1874 Sporting 45-70

Connected reference

FirearmsFirearms in .45-120 Sharps↗ToolCompare 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 →