.25-45 Sharps: Power Boost for MSRs

by
posted on January 14, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

It’s a new cartridge with a storied, old-school name, but in fact the story is largely the same. Old-time Sharps rifles and calibers gave buffalo hunters the power needed to reach out far. The new .25-45 Sharps is geared to the same purpose, only now for modern sporting rifle (AR) shooters. With cartridge dimensions very similar to .223/5.56 NATO, the .25-45 outperforms the former, boasting 3000 fps muzzle velocity with an 87-grain bullet or 3300 fps with a 65-grain bullets (from 20” barrels).

Downrange energy is excellent—about 1100 ft.-lbs. at 200 yds.—making the new round viable for medium-range deer/pronghorn as well as a great tactical option. Many existing MSR/AR rifles can be converted simply by installation of a .257”-bore barrel. Today’s Sharps Rifle Company sells loaded ammunition and barrels, and also offers an improved bolt that will retrofit many AR-type rifles.

Latest

W H2026 09 Knowhow 6.8Set9.25.4
W H2026 09 Knowhow 6.8Set9.25.4

Things I’ve Learned About Public-Land Elk

Every generation has a story starting with, “I remember the good old days.” Elk hunters have a similar dialogue and although elk numbers are at some of their highest in modern history, public-land hunting still represents a sea of challenges. With decades of elk hunting in my rearview and an ongoing education, a few lessons I’ve learned from elk hunting may aid you in your public-land elk pursuits.

Colorado Ballot Battle Heats Up

The required number of valid signatures to put a “Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment” on Colorado’s Nov. 3 ballot was reached on Sept. 4. If approved by voters—according to Ballotpedia’s summary—it would add the “…right to hunt, fish, and take fish and wildlife through traditional methods” to the state constitution.

#SundayGunday: CZ 600+ ST3 American

On this week's #SundayGunday, we are taking a look at the new-for-2026 design of the CZ 600+ ST3 American, the ST3 being the long- and magnum-action model. Built by the legendary Czech company for the American market, this is a rifle adapted perfectly to hunting on this continent.

How Can Hunters Travel Out of State With Suppressed Firearms?

Getting federal and state agencies out of the way of the citizens who wish to use suppressors to make their guns more polite to their ears and to their neighbors’ is an ongoing, complex and multifaceted effort. There is, however, progress being made thanks to the Trump administration.

A Shared Memory Between Life’s Chapters

Check out this memorable hunting story from member William Scott Aldridge.

Hardware Review: Browning BAR MK 4 Hunter

First, the Browning Automatic Rifle addressed in this article is not the renowned 1918 BAR of military fame. I’ve actually seen an American Rifleman editor hunt hogs with a reproduction 1918 BAR. While it was a spectacle to behold, it’s probably not the optimal choice for the deer woods, but hey, who am I to judge? The Browning BAR we’re talking about in this article is the iconic hunting rifle.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.