The .45-90 Sharps
cartridge is a
black powder
Gunpowder, also commonly known as black powder to distinguish it from modern smokeless powder, is the earliest known chemical explosive. It consists of a mixture of sulfur, carbon (in the form of charcoal) and potassium nitrate (saltpeter). Th ...
round introduced in 1877 by the
Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company
Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company was the manufacturer of the Sharps Rifle. The company was organized by Samuel Robbins and Richard S. Lawrence as a holding company in Hartford, Connecticut, on October 9, 1851 with $100,000 in capital. Despit ...
. Also known as the .45 2 4/10, the cartridge was developed for hunting and long range target shooting. In the modern day, it is used for
Black Powder Cartridge Rifle competitions.
While various bullet weights were used, a typical load for the .45-90 was a powder charge gunpowder (black powder) with a bullet weighing . Such a load would have about muzzle velocity.
.45-90 Express
The .45-90 Express is a modern adaptation of .45-90 Sharps which uses the same 2.4 inch case, but uses smokeless powder loaded to pressures up to 45,000 psi. With a 26-inch barrel the .45-90 Express is capable of over 4,200 ft-lbs (5694 J) muzzle energy.
Many modern nitro-proofed single shot or break barrel
.45-70 rifles can be easily reamed by a competent do-it-yourselfer to shoot .45-90 Express. These rifles include the
Ruger No. 1
The Ruger No. 1 is a single-shot rifle with a Farquharson-style hammerless falling-block action, introduced and manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Co. since 1967. An underlever lowers the breechblock to allow ammunition loading and also cocks the r ...
, New England Firearms Buffalo Classic, and the
Pedersoli Kodiak Mark IV. When used in modern repeating firearm such as a converted
Marlin 1895,
Enfield, or
Winchester 1886 the cartridge overall length of the .45-90 Express needs be kept to under 2.85 inches to reliably cycle through the action.
The .45-90 Express is well suited for hunting the largest predators including lion, grizzly, and polar bears, as well as moose, cape buffalo, bison, and elk. Although it could be considered overkill for the application, the .45-90 Express is very effective for deer hunting.
See also
*
List of rifle cartridges
References
1. ''The Complete Blackpowder Handbook, 3rd Edition'' by Sam Fadala, Krause Publishing, 1996, P. 247
{{DEFAULTSORT:45-90 Sharps
1877 introductions
Pistol and rifle cartridges
Sharps cartridges