Rifle · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
.45-50 Peabody
Peabody single-shot rifle cartridge in .45 caliber with 50 grains powder.
- Caliber
- 0.4559″ · 11.58 mm
- Introduced
- 1872
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .43 Spanish
- Primary use
- hunting
- Status
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1872
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Providence Tool Company
- Manufacturer
- Peabody Arms
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Antique
- Case capacity
- 54.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 18,000 CUP, SAAMI crusher
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 3200 yd
- Recoil
- 12–18 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .45-50 Peabody — an obsolete/collector cartridge. Parent case: .43 Spanish.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
mixed/other · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.58 | 0.456 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 12.16 | 0.479 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 12.85 | 0.506 | ~ |
| Shoulder angle | 5.5° | — | ~ |
| Base ⌀ | 13.26 | 0.522 | ~ |
| Rim ⌀ | 15.98 | 0.629 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 2.10 | 0.083 | · |
| Neck length | 9.45 | 0.372 | ≈ |
| Case length | 39.36 | 1.550 | · |
| Overall length | 54.06 | 2.128 | · |
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. .45-50 Peabody is highlighted below.
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.
Lineage
History
A large-bore Peabody single-shot rifle cartridge designed for military trials and target competition in the 1870s. The 50-grain powder charge made it a modest-sized military cartridge compared to .45-70. Used in trials comparing various single-shot military rifle systems before bolt-action repeaters made all such designs obsolete.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .45-50 Peabody use?
- .45-50 Peabody typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .45-50 Peabody?
- .45-50 Peabody uses a 0.4559″ (11.58 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .45-50 Peabody still in production?
- .45-50 Peabody is obsolete; typical availability is antique.
- What is .45-50 Peabody used for?
- .45-50 Peabody is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .45-50 Peabody based on?
- .45-50 Peabody is derived from the .43 Spanish case.
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 →
