Rifle · CIP
.500 Nitro Express
Holland & Holland's .50-caliber dangerous game round, introduced around 1890 and still in production.
- Caliber
- 0.5098″ · 12.95 mm
- Introduced
- 1890
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .500 Black Powder Express
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Limited
- Introduced
- 1890
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- Westley Richards
- Manufacturer
- Kynoch / Hornady / Norma
- Standard
- CIP
- Status
- Limited
- Availability
- Specialty
- Case capacity
- 138 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:381
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 38,500 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 100 yd
- Max range
- 3750 yd
- Recoil
- 75–100 ft·lb
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .500 Nitro Express. Parent case: .500 Black Powder Express.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 12.95 | 0.510 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 13.51 | 0.532 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 14.58 | 0.574 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 16.64 | 0.655 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.02 | 0.040 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 76.20 | 3.000 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 95.25 | 3.750 | ✓ |
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 Nitro Express is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
2 reloading powders listed for .500 Nitro Express, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
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.
Firearms chambered in .500 Nitro Express
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Holland & Holland introduced the .500 NE around 1890 as the smokeless powder revolution transformed dangerous game cartridges. The .500 bore had a long tradition in black powder dangerous game rifles; the Nitro Express designation signified the shift to smokeless. Unlike the .450 NE, the .500 NE was never subject to the British colonial caliber ban, giving it a continuous production and service history through to the present. Professional hunters in Africa used the .500 NE in both double rifles and later bolt actions for elephant, cape buffalo, and hippo. The combination of a heavy 570-grain bullet at moderate velocity produces devastating tissue damage and bone-crushing energy with better penetration than higher-velocity smaller-bore options. Hornady, Kynoch, and Norma continue producing ammunition for the active dangerous game hunting and collector market.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .500 Nitro Express use?
- .500 Nitro Express typically uses a 1:381 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .500 Nitro Express?
- .500 Nitro Express uses a 0.5098″ (12.95 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .500 Nitro Express still in production?
- .500 Nitro Express is limited; typical availability is specialty.
- What is .500 Nitro Express used for?
- .500 Nitro Express is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .500 Nitro Express based on?
- .500 Nitro Express is derived from the .500 Black Powder Express case.
- What are the best powders for .500 Nitro Express?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .500 Nitro Express include URP, Reloader 25.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 17 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
