Rifle · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
.500/450 No. 1 Black Powder Express
.500/450 No.
- Caliber
- 0.458″ · 11.633 mm
- Introduced
- 1870
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1870
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- Westley Richards
- Manufacturer
- Westley Richards
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 118.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Kynoch # 40
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 18,000 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 250 yd
- Max range
- 1250 yd
- Recoil
- 70.1 ft·lb
Introduced by Westley Richards
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .500/450 No. 1 Black Powder 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- Parent case
- —
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| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.63 | 0.458 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 12.32 | 0.485 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 13.46 | 0.530 | · |
| Shoulder angle | 11.6° | — | |
| Base ⌀ | 14.66 | 0.577 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 16.76 | 0.660 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.93 | 0.076 | |
| Neck length | 12.02 | 0.473 | |
| Case length | 69.85 | 2.750 | · |
| Overall length | 85.85 | 3.380 | · |
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 No. 1 Black Powder Express is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for .500/450 No. 1 Black Powder Express? Some case measurements aren't in a published SAAMI/CIP drawing yet. Have a factory or reamer print? Send it → — verified hard-to-find data earns a free Lindcott sticker.
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
Connected reference
History
Introduced around 1870 by Westley Richards.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .500/450 No. 1 Black Powder Express use?
- .500/450 No. 1 Black Powder Express typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .500/450 No. 1 Black Powder Express?
- .500/450 No. 1 Black Powder Express uses a 0.458″ (11.633 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .500/450 No. 1 Black Powder Express still in production?
- .500/450 No. 1 Black Powder Express is obsolete; typical availability is collector.
- What is .500/450 No. 1 Black Powder Express used for?
- .500/450 No. 1 Black Powder Express is primarily used for hunting.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
