Lindcott Armory Compare / .45-70 Government vs .50-120 Sharps
Cartridge comparison
.45-70 Government vs .50-120 Sharps
.45-70 Government is faster (2,100 vs 1,600 fps); .45-70 Government carries more energy (3,000 vs 2,400 ft·lb); .50-120 Sharps recoils less.
.45-70 Government →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.50-120 Sharps →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .45-70 Government | .50-120 Sharps | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Rifle | Rifle |
| Introduced | 1873 | 1877 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.458″ | 0.512″ |
| Case length | 2.105″ | 3.25″ |
| Velocity | 1,330–2,100 fps | 1,400–1,600 fps |
| Energy | 1,600–3,000 ft·lb | 1,700–2,400 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 28,000 psi | — |
| Recoil | 25–70 ft·lb | 30–45 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 300 yd | 300 yd |
FAQs
- Is .45-70 Government faster than .50-120 Sharps?
- .45-70 Government is faster — up to 2,100 fps versus 1,600 fps.
- Does .45-70 Government hit harder than .50-120 Sharps?
- .45-70 Government carries more muzzle energy (3,000 vs 2,400 ft·lb).