The 40-70 Sharps, also known as the .40-70, was a black powder cartridge developed by the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company in the mid-19th century. It was primarily used in their line of single-shot rifles. The "40" denotes the caliber, which is 0.40 inches, and the "70" refers to the 70 grains of black powder used as the propellant.
The cartridge was commonly used for hunting and long-range target shooting due to its balance of power and accuracy. It was a popular choice among buffalo hunters and frontiersmen during the late 1800s, especially for shooting large game such as bison and deer.
The 40-70 Sharps is now considered obsolete, but it remains of interest to collectors and enthusiasts of historical firearms. Some modern reproductions of Sharps rifles may still be chambered in this caliber, catering to the niche market of black powder cartridge rifle shooters.
Overall, the 40-70 Sharps played a significant role in American frontier history, providing effective performance for both hunters and marksmen of the era.