Rifle · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
.500-450 No.2 Musket
British cartridge for Martini-Henry pattern rifles converted from .577/450.
- Caliber
- 0.451″ · 11.455 mm
- Introduced
- 1880
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .577/450 Martini-Henry
- Primary use
- military, hunting
- Status
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1880
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- Various British
- Manufacturer
- British Military
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Antique
- Case capacity
- 99.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:22
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 18,000 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 150 yd
- Max range
- 4800 yd
- Recoil
- 38.3–63.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .500-450 No.2 Musket — an obsolete/collector cartridge. Parent case: .577/450 Martini-Henry.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
mixed/other · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.46 | 0.451 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 12.20 | 0.480 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 13.70 | 0.539 | ~ |
| Shoulder angle | 15.8° | — | |
| Base ⌀ | 14.70 | 0.579 | ~ |
| Rim ⌀ | 16.60 | 0.654 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.95 | 0.077 | |
| Neck length | 11.82 | 0.465 | |
| Case length | 59.53 | 2.344 | ~ |
| Overall length | 73.80 | 2.906 | |
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.2 Musket is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for .500-450 No.2 Musket? 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.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
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
Parent case
History
A British musket conversion cartridge from the 1860s, designed for .577-bore military rifles being converted from muzzle-loading to breech-loading. Part of the emergency conversion program that outfitted British colonial troops with repeating arms more quickly than building new rifles would allow.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .500-450 No.2 Musket use?
- .500-450 No.2 Musket typically uses a 1:22 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .500-450 No.2 Musket?
- .500-450 No.2 Musket uses a 0.451″ (11.455 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .500-450 No.2 Musket still in production?
- .500-450 No.2 Musket is obsolete; typical availability is antique.
- What is .500-450 No.2 Musket used for?
- .500-450 No.2 Musket is primarily used for military, hunting.
- What is .500-450 No.2 Musket based on?
- .500-450 No.2 Musket is derived from the .577/450 Martini-Henry case.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 7 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
