Bertram 40-70 Sharps Brass

Important: This listing is for new, unprimed brass cartridge cases only. It is not loaded ammunition and contains no primer, powder, or projectile.

Why Choose Bertram .40-70 Sharps Straight Brass?

• New-production brass for a specialized single-shot rifle cartridge
• Correctly headstamped for easier identification and recordkeeping
• Manufactured by Bertram in Australia
• Imported and supported in the United States by Desert Tech Munitions

Cartridge History

The .40-70 Sharps Straight is a rimmed, straight-cased black-powder-era cartridge identified in current reproduction-rifle catalogs as the 2½-inch Sharps Straight.

The name requires care because a separate .40-70 Sharps Bottleneck cartridge also exists. The straight and bottleneck versions are not interchangeable.

Understanding the Cartridge Name

Many nineteenth-century American black-powder cartridge names use a caliber-and-charge convention. The first number identifies the nominal bullet caliber, while the second commonly identifies a nominal charge of black powder in grains. This convention is historical terminology, not a modern loading recommendation.

Rifles Commonly Chambered

• Modern Sharps-pattern single-shot rifles specifically chambered for .40-70 Sharps Straight 2½-inch
• Historic or custom single-shot rifles whose chambers have been positively identified
• Current C. Sharps Arms rifles offered in the 2½-inch Sharps Straight chambering

Compatibility warning: Similar cartridge names and rifle models do not establish interchangeability. Verify the complete chamber designation and case length before ordering components.

Product and Reference Specifications

Nominal case length identifies the current commercial chambering. It does not replace inspection of the actual component, chamber, dies, or firearm.

Black Powder Cartridge Shooting Notes

• Inspect every case before use
• Check case length, mouth condition, primer pocket, and flash hole
• Size, expand, chamfer, and deburr as required by the rifle, chamber, bullet, and loading tools
• Maintain consistent case preparation and fouling-control practices
• Use reputable published information for the exact cartridge and firearm

Loading note: Historical cartridge names and nominal powder-charge numbers are not load recipes. Component selection, powder type, bullet design, compression, and safe charge development require cartridge-specific published guidance.

Why Buy from Desert Tech Munitions?

• Authorized U.S. Bertram distributor
• U.S. inventory and domestic shipping when available
• Direct working relationship with Bertram
• Knowledgeable support for rare and specialty cartridge brass
• Dealer and OEM programs for qualified buyers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this loaded ammunition?

No. This listing is for new, unprimed brass cartridge cases only.

Does the second number tell me how much powder to load?

No. It reflects a historical nominal black-powder charge used in the cartridge's name. It is not modern loading data.

Can this brass be used with smokeless powder?

Powder selection depends on the exact cartridge, firearm, and authoritative published data. Never infer a smokeless load from a historical black-powder designation.

Should new cases be sized before loading?

Inspect every case. Sizing or expanding may be appropriate to establish correct shape and neck tension for the specific chamber, bullet, and loading tools.

Why must I verify case length?

Several cartridges share similar caliber-and-charge names. The complete chamber designation and nominal case length help distinguish cartridges that are not interchangeable.