Holland & Holland's half-inch dangerous game cartridge — one of the most powerful and respected dangerous game rounds ever made. The .500 NE in a quality double rifle is considered by many professional hunters to be the ideal all-around dangerous game combination.
Type: Rifle
Introduced: 1890, United Kingdom
Parent case: None
Standardization: CIP
Bullet diameter: 0.51" (12.95 mm)
Case length: 3" (76.2 mm)
Overall length: 3.75" (95.25 mm)
Max pressure: 42,000 PSI
Rim type: Rimmed
Primer: Large Rifle
Typical twist rate: 1:16
Muzzle velocity: 2150–2175 fps
Muzzle energy: 5850–5985 ft-lbs
Effective range: 100 yd
Common bullet weights: 570 gr
Primary use: Hunting
Production status: Limited
Also known as: .500 NE · .500 Nitro Express 3" · 12.7x76mmR
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…
Notable firearms: Holland & Holland double rifles, Westley Richards double rifles, Merkel double rifles
Similar cartridges: .450 Nitro Express, .470 Nitro Express, .505 Gibbs