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 Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.50-140 Sharps →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .50-120 Sharps | .50-140 Sharps | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Rifle | Rifle |
| Introduced | 1877 | 1884 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.512″ | 0.51″ |
| Case length | 3.25″ | 3.25″ |
| Velocity | 1,400–1,600 fps | 1,400–1,560 fps |
| Energy | 1,700–2,400 ft·lb | 3,045–3,782 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | — | 22,000 psi |
| Recoil | 30–45 ft·lb | 25–38 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 300 yd | 1000 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).
Lindcott Armory