.50-140 Sharps Explained

.50-140 Sharps
Origin:United States
Type:Rifle
Used By:United States
Design Date:1884
Production Date:1884–present
Parent:.50 Basic
Case Type:Rimmed, straight
Bullet:.512
Neck:.529
Shoulder:.529
Base:.551
Rim Dia:.652
Case Length:3.25
Length:3.95
Primer:Large rifle
Bw1:638
Btype1:FN
Vel1:1413
En1:2829
Test Barrel Length:30"
Balsrc:The Complete Blackpowder Handbook [1]

The .50-140 Sharps, also known as the .50-3" Sharps, is a black-powder rifle cartridge that was introduced in 1884, as a big game hunting round.[1] It is believed to have been introduced for the Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 rifle.[2] The cartridge is very similar to the .500 Black Powder Express.[3]

This round was introduced by Winchester 3 years after the Sharps Rifle Company closed its doors in 1881. It is similar to, though larger than, the .50-90 Sharps.With the Sharps Rifle Co. officially closing in 1881, and with the .50-140 being introduced 3 years later, the .50-140, will not be classified as Sharp's most powerful rifle cartridge.

Specifications

Bullet diameter is typically 0.512inches, with weights of 600to.

The powder charge is typically of black powder. Modern substitutes such as Pyrodex are sometimes used, although using smaller charges since pyrodex is less dense than black powder.[4] In a strong action with modern smokeless powder, it can exceed a 500gr .458 Winchester Magnum velocity while using a heavier 550gr bullet.

History

The .50-140 was created for big game hunting, and was the most powerful of the Sharps Bison cartridges.[5] However, it was introduced about the time of the end of the great Bison herds.[6] An obsolete round, ammunition is not produced by any major manufacturer although reloading components and brass can be acquired or home-built.

Rifles are infrequently produced by a few companies. They are typically used for bison hunting and reenactments. Occasionally, the .50-140 is used in vintage competitions, although some shooters claim it produces heavier recoil than other old-time cartridges such as the .45-70.

See also

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. The Complete Blackpowder Handbook (3rd Edition), Book by Sam Fadala, Krause Publishing, 1996 p.248
  2. Book: Walter, John. The Guns that Won the West: Firearms on the American Frontier, 1848-1898. 2006. Greenhill Books. 978-1-85367-692-5. 264.
  3. Book: Wieland, Terry. Dangerous-Game Rifles. 2006. Countrysport Press. 978-0-89272-691-2. 283.
  4. Book: Fadala, Sam. The Complete Blackpowder Handbook. 5th. 2006. Gun Digest Books. 978-0-89689-390-0. 203. Second, Pyrodex provides more shorts per pound than blackpowder because it is less dense..
  5. Web site: .50-140 Sharps. Accurate Powder. Western Powders Inc.. 23 September 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20040205082038/http://accuratepowder.com/data/PerCaliber2Guide/Rifle/ObsoleteCartridges/50%20140%20Sharps%20pages%20371%20and%20372.pdf#. 2004-02-05. dead.
  6. Web site: Hawks . Chuck . Bison Cartridges of the American Frontier . ChuckHawks.com . 23 September 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101010065634/http://www.chuckhawks.com/buffalo_cartridges.htm . 10 October 2010 . live .