.500 No. 2 Express

.500 No. 2 Express (.577/.500)
Type	Rifle
Place of origin	UK
Specifications
Bullet diameter	.507 in (12.9 mm)
Neck diameter	.538 in (13.7 mm)
Shoulder diameter	.560 in (14.2 mm)
Base diameter	.641 in (16.3 mm)
Rim diameter	.726 in (18.4 mm)
Case length	2.81 in (71 mm)
Overall length	3.40 in (86 mm)
Primer type	.251 (6.38 mm) Berdan (Kynoch #31A)
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy 340 gr (22 g) (factory load, black powder) 1,925 ft/s (587 m/s) 2,800 ft·lbf (3,800 J) 300 gr (19 g) 1,870 ft/s (570 m/s) 2,340 ft·lbf (3,170 J) 360 gr (23 g) (smokeless, Lyman 509134) 1,700 ft/s (520 m/s) 2,315 ft·lbf (3,139 J)
Source(s): Barnes & Amber 1972

The .500 No. 2 Express (also called the .577/.500 and, in Germany, 12.7mm British No. 2) is a British centerfire fire rifle cartridge.

Designed as a black powder round in 1882 or 1883,^[1] it resembles the .577/.500 Magnum Nitro Express, but uses a shorter case; the two are not interchangeable.^[1] It was offered in single or double rifles, as well as a variety of Martini-based lever guns.^[1]

In power, the .500 No. 2 is comparable to the contemporary .577/.500 Magnum and .50-110 Winchester, or the modern .30-'06.^[2] It is sufficient for elk, deer, moose, or bear at medium range or in woods^[3] and thin-skinned dangerous game, including lions and tigers,^[1] but not thick-skinned animals such as elephant. It was popular in India with contemporary shooters, and tended to be offered in heavy rifles.^[4]

The bullet is virtually the same as the .50 Sharps, and Lyman molds can be used to produce cast examples for reloading.^[1] Factory loads used about between 130-160 gr (8.4-10.4 g) of Fg.

Moderately popular in its day, the round has long since ceased to be offered commercially. Black powder rifles in this caliber should use somewhat light smokeless loads.^[3]

See also

• List of cartridges by caliber
• List of rifle cartridges
• List of centerfire cartridges
• 12mm caliber

References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Barnes, p.230, ".500 No. 2 Express (.577/.500)".
2. ↑ Barnes, p.230, ".500 No. 2 Express (.577/.500)", & p.39.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Barnes, p.230, ".577/.500 Magnum Nitro Express".
4. ↑ Barnes, p.233, ".577 Nitro-Express".

Sources

• Barnes, Frank C., ed. by John T. Amber. ".577/500 Magnum Nitro Express", in Cartridges of the World, pp. 230 & 236. Northfield, IL: DBI Books, 1972. ISBN 0-695-80326-3.
• ______ and _____. ".30-06 Springfield", in Cartridges of the World, p. 39. Northfield, IL: DBI Books, 1972. ISBN 0-695-80326-3.
• ______ and _____. ".500 No. 2 Express (.577/.500)", in Cartridges of the World, p. 230. Northfield, IL: DBI Books, 1972. ISBN 0-695-80326-3.