Lindcott Armory Compare / .45-70 Government vs .45-90 Sharps
Cartridge comparison
.45-70 Government vs .45-90 Sharps
.45-70 Government is faster (2,100 vs 1,600 fps); .45-70 Government carries more energy (3,000 vs 2,844 ft·lb); .45-90 Sharps recoils less.
.45-70 Government →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.45-90 Sharps →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .45-70 Government | .45-90 Sharps | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Rifle | Rifle |
| Introduced | 1873 | 1877 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.458″ | 0.457″ |
| Case length | 2.105″ | 2.875″ |
| Velocity | 1,330–2,100 fps | 1,350–1,600 fps |
| Energy | 1,600–3,000 ft·lb | 1,214–2,844 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 28,000 psi | 22,000 psi |
| Recoil | 25–70 ft·lb | 12–18 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 300 yd | 500 yd |
FAQs
- Is .45-70 Government faster than .45-90 Sharps?
- .45-70 Government is faster — up to 2,100 fps versus 1,600 fps.
- Does .45-70 Government hit harder than .45-90 Sharps?
- .45-70 Government carries more muzzle energy (3,000 vs 2,844 ft·lb).