.50-140 Sharps
{{Short description|Rifle cartridge}}
{{Infobox firearm cartridge
| name = .50-140 Sharps
| image = 50-140 sharps.jpg | image_size = 300px
| caption = .50-140 Sharps cartridge
| origin = United States
| type = Rifle
| service =
| used_by = United States
| wars =
| designer =
| design_date = 1884
| manufacturer =
| production_date = 1884–present
| number =
| is_SI_specs =
| parent = .50 Basic
| case_type = Rimmed, straight
| bullet = .512
| neck = .529
| shoulder = .529
| base = .551
| rim_dia = .652
| rim_thick =
| case_length = 3.25
| length = 3.95
| rifling =
| primer = Large rifle
| is_SI_ballistics =
| bw1 = 638
| btype1 = FN
| vel1 = 1413
| en1 = 2829
| test_barrel_length = 30"
| balsrc = The Complete Blackpowder Handbook The Complete Blackpowder Handbook (3rd Edition), Book by Sam Fadala, Krause Publishing, 1996 p.248
}}
The .50-140 Sharps (13×83mmR), also known as the .50-3{{frac|1|4}}" Sharps, is a black-powder rifle cartridge that was introduced in 1884, as a big game hunting round. It is believed to have been introduced for the Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878 rifle.{{cite book|last=Walter|first=John|title=The Guns that Won the West: Firearms on the American Frontier, 1848-1898|year=2006|publisher=Greenhill Books|isbn=978-1-85367-692-5|page=264}} The cartridge is very similar to the .500 Black Powder Express.{{cite book|last=Wieland|first=Terry|title=Dangerous-Game Rifles|year=2006|publisher=Countrysport Press|isbn=978-0-89272-691-2|page=283}}
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 {{convert|.512|in|abbr=on}}, with weights of {{convert|600|to|700|gr}}.
The powder charge is typically {{convert|140|gr}} of black powder. Modern substitutes such as Pyrodex are sometimes used, although using smaller charges since pyrodex is less dense than black powder.{{cite book|last=Fadala|first=Sam|title=The Complete Blackpowder Handbook|edition=5th|year=2006|publisher=Gun Digest Books|isbn=978-0-89689-390-0|page=203|quote=Second, Pyrodex provides more shorts per pound than blackpowder because it is less dense.}} In a strong action with modern smokeless powder, it can exceed a {{convert|500|gr|sing=on}} .458 Winchester Magnum velocity while using a heavier {{convert|550|gr|sing=on}} bullet.
Dimensions
History
The .50-140 was created for big game hunting, and was the most powerful of the Sharps Bison cartridges.{{cite web|title=.50-140 Sharps|url=http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerCaliber2Guide/Rifle/ObsoleteCartridges/50%20140%20Sharps%20pages%20371%20and%20372.pdf|work=Accurate Powder|publisher=Western Powders Inc.|accessdate=23 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040205082038/http://accuratepowder.com/data/PerCaliber2Guide/Rifle/ObsoleteCartridges/50%20140%20Sharps%20pages%20371%20and%20372.pdf#|archive-date=2004-02-05|url-status=dead}} However, it was introduced about the time of the end of the great Bison herds.{{cite web|last=Hawks |first=Chuck |title=Bison Cartridges of the American Frontier |url=http://www.chuckhawks.com/buffalo_cartridges.htm |work=ChuckHawks.com |accessdate=23 September 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010065634/http://www.chuckhawks.com/buffalo_cartridges.htm |archivedate=10 October 2010 |url-status=live }} 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
{{reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
- Accurate Smokeless Powders Loading Guide Number Two (Revised), Book by Accurate Arms Co, Wolfe Publishing, 2000 p. 371
{{refend}}
External links
{{Commonscat}}
- [https://www.bevfitchett.us/accurate-smokeless-powders-reloading/sharps-1.html Sharps]
- {{youtube |id=o2e71aD5bFI |title=C Sharps 50-140 cal rifle...first shots. - Gunner Gatlin }}
{{Rimmed cartridges}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:50-140 Sharps}}