Marrakai
(.416 member)
24/02/09 10:51 PM
Re: Advantages of .577/500 '.500 no 2' bpe cartridge?

Thought I'd toss some comparative data on the end of this thread, just for the record.

Ballistics and load data from the 1926 ICI catalogue:

Cartridge ---------- Powder- Bullet- Pressure- MV(fps)- ME(ftlbs)

.500 BPE ----------- 136gr - 340gr -- 11 tons - 1925 -- 2800
.500 NforB --------- 55grC - 440gr - <10 tons - 1900 -- 3530

.577/.500 #2 BPE --- 130gr - 340gr -- 10 tons - 1850 -- 2590
.577/.500 #2 NforB - 53grC - 440gr - <10 tons - 1675 -- 2743

.577/.500 Mag BPE -- 164gr - 440gr -- 11 tons - 1875 -- 3440
.577/.500 Mag NforB- 60grC - 440gr - <10 tons - 1725 -- 2910

You will note some interesting things here, such as 60gr cordite in the .577/.500 Magnum generates only 1725 fps, whereas in the .500 straight-case the lesser charge of 55gr cordite generates 1900 fps, both with 440gr projectiles. As all modern reloaders of these cartridges know, the larger-volume case is more of a handicap than a help when loading smokeless!

Looking at the Muzzle Energy figures:
The clear winner in BPE loadings is the .577/.500 Magnum.
The clear winner with NforB loads is the .500 3-inch straight-case.

Sadly the .500 No.2 lags behind in every respect.
It is a charismatic cartridge though, and I dearly love the Rodda so-chambered in my collection.

Of course, today it is possible to load these cartridges up or down at will, especially in a single-shot, but it is likely that most quality doubles will regulate at or near the ballistics published in the catalogues of the day. Most of mine do!



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