Compare / .50-120 Sharps vs .50-140 Sharps

Cartridge comparison

.50-120 Sharps vs .50-140 Sharps

.50-120 Sharps is faster (1,600 vs 1,560 fps); .50-140 Sharps carries more energy (3,782 vs 2,400 ft·lb); .50-140 Sharps recoils less.

.50-120 Sharps →
Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd
100 yd · zero0″−136″136″ drop @ 500 yd0250500Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.50-140 Sharps →
Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd
100 yd · zero0″−143″143″ drop @ 500 yd0250500Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.50-120 Sharps.50-140 Sharps
TypeRifleRifle
Introduced18771884
Bullet ⌀0.512″0.51″
Case length3.25″3.25″
Velocity1,400–1,600 fps1,400–1,560 fps
Energy1,700–2,400 ft·lb3,045–3,782 ft·lb
Max pressure22,000 psi
Recoil30–45 ft·lb25–38 ft·lb
Eff. range300 yd1000 yd

FAQs

Is .50-120 Sharps faster than .50-140 Sharps?
.50-120 Sharps is faster — up to 1,600 fps versus 1,560 fps.
Does .50-120 Sharps hit harder than .50-140 Sharps?
.50-140 Sharps carries more muzzle energy (3,782 vs 2,400 ft·lb).