.577/500 Magnum Nitro Express

.577/.500 Magnum Nitro Express
Type Rifle
Place of origin UK
Specifications
Bullet diameter .500 in (12.7 mm)
Neck diameter .526 in (13.4 mm)
Shoulder diameter .585 in (14.9 mm)
Base diameter .645 in (16.4 mm)
Rim diameter .717 in (18.2 mm)
Case length 3.13 in (80 mm)
Overall length 3.74 in (95 mm)
Rifling twist 1:16
Primer type .251 (6.38 mm) Berdan (Kynoch #31A)
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy
440 gr (29 g) (factory load) 1,725 ft/s (526 m/s) 2,920 ft·lbf (3,960 J)
Source(s): Barnes & Amber 1972

The .577/.500 Magnum Nitro Express is a British centerfire fire rifle cartridge.

Designed as a black powder round in the mid-1880s, it was based on the .577 Nitro Express, necked down to .500" (12.7mm),[1] and was later offered in a smokeless version.[1] While it resembles the .500 No. 2 Express, they are not the same.[1]

In power, the .577/.500 is comparable to the contemporary .50-110 Winchester, or the modern .30-'06.[2] It is sufficient for elk, deer, moose, or bear at medium range or in woods[1] and thin-skinned dangerous game, including tiger and lions,[3] but not thick skinned ones such as the rhinoceros. It was favored more in India than Africa by contemporary shooters, and tended to be offered in heavy rifles.[4]

Moderately popular in its day, the round has long since ceased to be offered commercially. Black powder rifles in this caliber should not use heavy smokeless loads.[1]

See also

References

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

Sources


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