The .577 BPE was a very popular rifle at one time. Many thought it the 'cat's ass' for not only buffalo, but elephant at well, to 100 yards range. This info, from 'letters' to Field Magazine in Greener's book.
: Note that with our powders, the 160gr. charge of Harvey's #6 rifle powder in the .577 is equivalent to 192gr. of GOEX.
: Now apparently, Swiss powder 1-1/2F is supposed to duplicate the speed of Harvey's #6, but burns dryer, of course. Not being able to buy Swiss powder, I'll take Ross Seyfrid's word for it's use in duplicating regulation loads in British singles and doubles. Regulation in singles, means shooting to the factory sights. Regulation in doubles, of course, means shooting notonly to the sights, but both barrels into one group, or perhaps parallel, which would be perfect regulation.
; Ross's test of a 16 pound 8 bore rifle, and a 4 bore rifle are given in the July 2001 issue of Rifle Magazine.
; Recoil - 8 bore-16 pounds - 1,200gr. con. 1,450fps - 160 ft. lbs.
: Recoil - 4 bore-18 pounds - 1,285gr. RB - 1,500fps - 196 ft. lbs.
: Recoil - 4 bore-20 pounds - 1,800gr. con. 1,330fps - 212 ft. lbs.
: .577 NITRO EXPRESS - 13 pounds - 750gr. 2,050fps - 92 ft. lbs.
: I really have no desire to shoot a .57 Nitro, let alone an 8 bore, or 4 bore. Detached retinas don't seem worth the experience.
; I do have a friend with a 6 bore double percussion ball and shot gun, that regulates with a mere 150gr. 1F. That one, I'd probably shoot.