Rifle · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
.500 Nitro Express 3 1/4"
Rimmed, straight .500-bore case, 3¼ in.
- Caliber
- 0.5118″ · 13 mm
- Introduced
- 1890
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .500 Black Powder Express
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1890
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- Various British
- Manufacturer
- Eley Brothers; Kynoch
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 154.4 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 18,000 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 250 yd
- Max range
- 3800 yd
- Recoil
- 91.9–93.5 ft·lb
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4", 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
- .500 Black Powder Express
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.
CIP TDCC (via necked children: 470 N.E., 500/416 N.E. 3¼) · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 13.00 | 0.512 | |
| Neck ⌀ | 13.40 | 0.528 | |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 14.00 | 0.551 | |
| Rim ⌀ | 16.60 | 0.654 | ≈ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.40 | 0.055 | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 83.00 | 3.268 | ≈ |
| Overall length | 100.00 | 3.937 | |
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 3 1/4" is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4"? 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
The .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4" is a straight rimmed rifle cartridge originating in United Kingdom.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4" use?
- .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4" typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4"?
- .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4" uses a 0.5118″ (13 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4" still in production?
- .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4" is obsolete; typical availability is collector.
- What is .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4" used for?
- .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4" is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4" based on?
- .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4" is derived from the .500 Black Powder Express case.
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 →
