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.
