Largest of the Sharps black-powder buffalo cartridges, loaded with 140 grains of black powder behind a 700-grain lead bullet. Used for very long-range target shooting and the heaviest of big game. Still chambered in reproduction Sharps rifles for extreme long-range black-powder competition.
Type: Rifle
Introduced: 1884, United States
Parent case: .50-70 Government
Standardization: None
Bullet diameter: 0.51" (12.95 mm)
Case length: 3.25" (82.55 mm)
Max pressure: 25,000 PSI
Rim type: Rimmed
Primer: Berdan or Large Rifle
Typical twist rate: 1:20
Muzzle velocity: 1400–1560 fps
Muzzle energy: 3045–3782 ft-lbs
Effective range: 1000 yd
Common bullet weights: 700 gr
Primary use: Hunting, Target
Production status: Active
Also known as: .50-140-700 Sharps · 12.7x95mmR
History: Developed in the early 1880s as the 'express' load for the Sharps Model 1874, it was used primarily for very long range target shooting competitions. With 140 grains of black powder and 700-grain bullets, it was capable of 1,500-yard accuracy in skilled hands. Buffalo hunting had largely ended by the time the cartridge appeared, so its use was mostly target-oriented. Pedersoli and other…
Notable firearms: Sharps Model 1874, Pedersoli Quigley reproduction
Similar cartridges: .50-90 Sharps, .50-110 Winchester, .50-120 Sharps