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There have been several threads lately, here and on other forums, discussing the preferred calibres or chamberings for newly-constructed double rifles. Of course the various .400s, .450/.458s, and .470/.500s are all viable options, and a range of even bigger wild-cats is fast becoming popular with the modern big-bore fan. Amongst all this, there is one cartridge which has been largely overlooked, ignored by contemporary gun-writers, and scorned by the magnum snobs. It is however a simply marvellous chambering, a prime candidate for the modern double or big-bore single, and a genuine practical alternative to the shoulder-crunching muzzle-blasters at the upper end of the big-bore range. Since acquiring an example myself not long ago, it is fast becoming one of my favourites. It is....

the .577 x 2 3/4 Light Nitro!

Points in its favour are numerous IMHO. Here's how I see it:

This will come as a surprise to most, however even at the lowest MV, it shoots ABSOLUTELY FLAT at practical big-game hunting distances. Despite its big round nose, the Woodleigh 650-grain soft-point still manages a .32 BC. Sighted dead-on at around 90 yards, the trajectory never deviates more than ONE INCH from the line of sight out to 100 yards and slightly beyond. The drop at 150 yds, a practical maximum, is only 6 inches. Just point and shoot!

With the new Woodleigh 650-grain FMJ solids, penetration is simply unbelievable. These projectiles may look stubby, but they still boast a Sectional Density of .27, and the heavy steel jacket simply will not deform. Even with hardened lead and black-powder, the likes of Samuel Baker regularly raked big buffalo bulls 'from stem to stern' with identical ballistics more than a century ago.

The rifles can be made to weigh a comfortable 10 to 11 pounds, no heavier than standard .400 to .470 doubles, and are quite comfortable to carry and shoot. They can be regulated for any load between 1650 and 1950 fps, depending on the owner's recoil tolerance and energy requirements. There is no factory ammunition, so they will always be a reloading concern, hence no chance of a mix-up. Top-quality components are readily available.

Even at a low 1665 fps MV, the Taylor Knock-Out factor is still a whopping 90 values, ranging up over 105 for the higher velocities!

Only for big elephants could this cartridge be considered marginal, but how many double-rifle aficionados these days are genuinely likely to seek conclusions with jumbo? For everything else on earth, the .577 Light Nitro is perfectly adequate, and satisfyingly overkill for most! Regarding the 'Gee Whiz' factor at the local club, it is STILL a .577 Nitro, but without the enormous weight and recoil which robs the shooter of much of the pleasure he should be getting from his new toy. A well-made .577 Light Nitro double is an absolute joy to shoot!

Although Craig Boddington comprehensively canned this cartridge in his 'Safari Rifles', ("velocity is low and energy just 5,500 ftlbs (huh!?!) ...the 650-grain bullet does not stack up."), 'Pondoro' Taylor gave it a pretty good wrap in 'African Rifles and Cartridges'. Speaking of the 75-grain Cordite load:

"Using the solid hard lead bullet I have killed elephant and buffalo, but of course, only with heart and lung shots. If I was concentrating on tiger or man-eating lion, I shouldn't hesitate: I would almost certainly have a double .577 built to handle the modern .577/75/650 load."

...and although he lacked personal experience with the 90-grain load:

"Theoretically, it should be a very effective weapon for close-range work, (and) with modern steels could be built very light for a weapon of that power."

We now have better bullets, better brass, and better barrel steel than ever before. If I were to commission a new rifle like the Searcy tomorrow, I would unhesitatingly specify an 11-pound .577 x 2 3/4 Light Nitro regulated for the 650-grain bullet at 1850 fps, and it would give me great pleasure to wear it out on our local buffalo population! (...with the odd African excursion if finances permit!)

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I realise I will now be branded an eccentric at best (guilty as charged!), however I am not trying to start any arguments or 'pissing contests' with this post. It is simply an attempt to rectify the decades of unjustified neglect suffered by this marvellous cartridge, whose day may finally have come, and perhaps to stimulate a tiny seed of interest in the minds of those who may be contemplating a new double in the near future. The full-nitro.577 is quite simply too much gun for fun at the range or regular practice in the woods, but the Light Nitro version might just be today's perfect big-bore!

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Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
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www.marrakai-adventure.com.au