Rifle · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
.45-90 Sharps
Long-range buffalo and target cartridge loaded with 90 grains of black powder behind a large .45-caliber lead bullet.
- Caliber
- 0.458″ · 11.633 mm
- Introduced
- 1877
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .45-70 Government
- Primary use
- Hunting, Target
- Status
- Active
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1877
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Sharps Rifle Company
- Manufacturer
- Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Limited
- Case capacity
- 90 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 22,000 CUP, SAAMI crusher
- Eff. range
- 500 yd
- Max range
- 3850 yd
- Recoil
- 23.8–31.7 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .45-90 Sharps. Parent case: .45-70 Government.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.63 | 0.458 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 12.19 | 0.480 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 12.83 | 0.505 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 15.44 | 0.608 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.78 | 0.070 | ~ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 60.96 | 2.400 | · |
| Overall length | 72.39 | 2.850 | ~ |
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. .45-90 Sharps is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
1 reloading powder listed for .45-90 Sharps, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
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 .45-90 Sharps
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed in 1877 for the Sharps Model 1877 and Model 1878 Borchardt rifles. Used extensively during the buffalo hunting era of the 1870s–1880s. Popular in long-range target competition where shooters engaged targets to 1,000 yards with black powder. The cartridge remains active today in reproduction Sharps and Remington rolling-block rifles for black-powder Silhouette and long-range competitions.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .45-90 Sharps use?
- .45-90 Sharps typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .45-90 Sharps?
- .45-90 Sharps uses a 0.458″ (11.633 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .45-90 Sharps still in production?
- .45-90 Sharps is active; typical availability is limited.
- What is .45-90 Sharps used for?
- .45-90 Sharps is primarily used for hunting, target.
- What is .45-90 Sharps based on?
- .45-90 Sharps is derived from the .45-70 Government case.
- What are the best powders for .45-90 Sharps?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .45-90 Sharps include IMR 3031.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 5 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
