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Lindcott Armory

Rifle · Obsolete / Non-standard

.500/450 Magnum Nitro Express

Also known as .500/.450 Magnum NE · .500/450 Magnum Express · .500/450 Nitro Express 3¼-inch

Early large-bore Nitro Express cartridge formed by necking the .500/450 Magnum Black Powder Express case to .458 caliber..

Caliber
0.458″ · 11.633 mm
Introduced
1898
Case
Rimmed
Parent
.500/450 Magnum Black Powder Express
Primary use
Hunting
Status
Limited

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Velocity2,175 fps
Energy5,041 ft·lb · est.
Identity
Introduced
1898
Type
Rifle
Origin
United Kingdom
Manufacturer
Holland & Holland
Standard
Obsolete / Non-standard
Status
Limited
Availability
Specialty
Build
Primer
Large Rifle Magnum
Case type
Rimmed
Pressure & range
Eff. range
100 yd

Introduced by Holland & Holland

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · velocity only, no drag model · 100 yd zero0–500 yd
-70" -60" -50" -40" -30" -20" -10" 0" Line of sight 0 yd 50 yd 100 yd 150 yd 200 yd 250 yd 300 yd 350 yd 400 yd 450 yd 500 yd 100 yd zero 73″ drop @ 500 yd
Drop Zero

Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .500/450 Magnum Nitro Express, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.

Open in Ballistic Compare

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

Wikipedia · approximate
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀ 11.630.458 ·
Neck ⌀ 12.170.479 ·
Shoulder ⌀ 13.190.519 ~
Shoulder angle 4.4°— ~
Base ⌀ 14.480.570 ·
Rim ⌀ 16.380.645 ·
Belt ⌀ n/a
Rim thickness 1.020.040 ·
Neck length 15.400.606 ≈
Case length 82.553.250 ·
Overall length 99.313.910 ~

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .500/450 Magnum Nitro Express is highlighted below.

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Lineage

Immediate parent
.500/450 Magnum Black Powder Express · standardized from
Family TreeOpen .500/450 Magnum Nitro Express in the interactive cartridge family tree

Connected reference

FirearmsFirearms in .500/450 Magnum Nitro ExpressToolCompare ballistics

History

H&H, ~1898; a major parent within the British flanged Nitro Express network. Later restrictions in India drove close substitutes.

FAQs

What bullet diameter is .500/450 Magnum Nitro Express?
.500/450 Magnum Nitro Express uses a 0.458″ (11.633 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .500/450 Magnum Nitro Express still in production?
.500/450 Magnum Nitro Express is limited; typical availability is specialty.
What is .500/450 Magnum Nitro Express used for?
.500/450 Magnum Nitro Express is primarily used for hunting.
What is .500/450 Magnum Nitro Express based on?
.500/450 Magnum Nitro Express is derived from the .500/450 Magnum Black Powder Express case.

Sources & provenance

  • Reference Gun Digest Books — Cartridges of the World, 13th ed. — Frank C. Barnes · year, velocity, grain weights, bullet ⌀
  • Secondary Wikipedia — .500/450 Nitro Express · year, velocity, grain weights, bullet ⌀ archived

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →