I'm surprised by that, that the .500 EXP was the most used cartridges of the British Empire. Probably because on the vintage guns used market the various .450 EXPs seem more common nowadays?

But the .500s are more sought after IMO. I certainly preferred a .500 EXP. A bit more grunt for larger than medium game hunting use.

Nowadays we think of a .450 as a big bore. But it was a medium game calibre. A .500 was as well, but starting to get into larger game. A 12-bore, pretty ordinary, but was sometimes used for DG. 10-bore. But especially 8-bore became an elephant hunters, and rhino choice. At least my conclusions from period reading. Of course the man in the field often used what he had or could afford.

Sounds good. A chapter with illustrations, photos, descriptions and comments on accessories sounds quite good.

Perhaps a chapter on actually a step by step process of using old vintage reloading tools. Moulding the bullet. Sizing the brass case. Depriming, priming. Measuring and and charging the black powder. Seating the bullet. What ever else is required.

The ability to reload cartridges in the field, or in the field camp is mostly something alien to us today. I did start reloading for my .222 with a Lee Loader kit though. Added a powder scales. Never loaded in fields camps though.

Beyond a book, a video of the process and final shooting would be very cool.

I really like that idea. Chapters extracted from vintage authors using such a rifle.
Eg if it fits, a chapter of Sir Samuel Baker using a .500 EXP on sambar and tiger or leopard, buffalo, gaur? I don't know if he did?
Eg Or James Corbett using a .500 EXP on maneating tiger. I believe Corbett used a .500 DR, but it may have been an NE?

Adds vintage spice to the modern day chapters of a vintage gun, photos, reloading, modern hunting use, Same as vintage photos.

If it's out of copyright, it can be used I believe.

Great idea.

My self interest.

. If the NE forums can help. I'd also love to see this information, stories, photos on here, on forum threads. Maybe as part of a collection process of the material. Perhaps a special thread, or even a sub forum for the purpose? As people add a thread of their submission, constructive comments might assist, Photos for a book must be of minimum quality for print publishing. And it sparks new interest, and keeps the idea going. Just an idea?

Self publishing a book involves putting the material together. Then usually either funding the initial minimum printing lot. Or collecting sufficient pre-orders. To allow a printing. Or sufficient pre-orders to justify a publisher to believe it's a commercial proposition to publish.

Another possibility is a digital copy of the book. The cost of publishing a minimum lot is avoided. The "book" is a finished book in digital form. Not as nice as a nice hard cover glossy photos book with paper of course. We all like them on our book shelves. A digital format, on a USB stick or what ever, can gave more photos, and especially videos. Reloading, shooting, hunting. Perhaps such could even be an addition in the book? Just an idea.

Keep it going.