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Rifle · SAAMI

.577 Nitro Express 3"

.577 NE.577 Nitro Express

The most used elephant cartridge in colonial Africa.

Caliber
0.5839″ · 14.83 mm
Introduced
1900
Case
Rimmed
Parent
.577 Black Powder Express
Primary use
Dangerous Game
Status
Active
Velocity1,950–2,100 fps
Energy6,338–7,349 ft·lb
Typical grains700 · 750 gr
Identity
Introduced
1900
Type
Rifle
Origin
United Kingdom
Inventor
Holland & Holland / Various
Manufacturer
Kynoch / various
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
220 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:26
Primer
Large Rifle Magnum
Case type
Rimmed
Pressure & range
Max pressure
36,000 psi
Eff. range
75 yd
Max range
200 yd
Recoil
30–45 ft·lb

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd
100 yd · zero0″−79″79″ drop @ 500 yd0250500Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
By real loads
1,950–2,100 fps · 18 loads

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Performance

Best for HuntingBarnes VOR-TX700 gr · TTSX · 2,100 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .577 Nitro Express 3" ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

Dimensions · secondary source
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀14.830.584·
Neck ⌀15.370.605·
Shoulder ⌀n/a
Shoulder anglen/a
Base ⌀16.810.662·
Rim ⌀19.050.750·
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.270.050·
Neck lengthn/a
Case length76.203.000·
Overall length93.983.700·

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. .577 Nitro Express 3" is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 18 active loads across 10 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
BarnesVOR-TX700TTSX2,1006,853—
HornadyDGS FMJ Solid 750gr750DGS FMJ2,0506,997—
A-SquareMonolithic Solid750Monolithic Solid2,0506,997—
WoodleighFMJ Solid 750gr750FMJ Solid2,0506,997—
HornadyDGS750DGS FMJ-RN2,0506,997—
HornadyDGX Bonded SP 750gr750DGX Bonded SP2,0506,997—
FederalWoodleigh Weldcore 750gr750Weldcore2,0506,997—
Sellier & BellotSP750SP2,0506,997—
NorthforkCup-Bonded SP 750gr750Cup-Bonded SP2,0506,997—
KynochSP Soft Nose 750gr750Soft Nose2,0506,997—
KynochFMJ Solid 750gr750FMJ Solid2,0506,997—
WoodleighSP750SP1,9506,331—
RWSFMJ750FMJ1,9506,331—
HornadyCustom DGX Bonded FP750DGX Bonded FP1,9506,331—
HornadyDGS Solid750DGS Solid FMJ1,9506,331—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

1 reloading powder listed for .577 Nitro Express 3", fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

Reloader 25
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 .577 Nitro Express 3"

12 models in the database chamber .577 Nitro Express 3". Browse all →

Krieghoff Classic Big Five .500 NE 23.5-inchJames Purdey & Sons Double Rifle .375 H&H 26-inchWestley Richards Droplock SxS .470 NE 26-inchHolland & Holland Paradox .577 Nitro Express 24-inchPurdey Royal .600 NE 26-inchWestley Richards Droplock Double Rifle 577 NEWestley Richards Droplock Double Rifle 375 H&HWestley Richards Fixed Lock Double .470 NEJames Purdey & Sons Best Quality Double Rifle .470 NEWestley Richards Droplock .470 NE 26-inchHolland & Holland Royal .375 H&H MagJames Purdey & Sons Best Quality Double .577 NE

Lineage

Immediate parent
.577 Black Powder Express · standardized from

ⓘ cordite/nitro loading

Family TreeOpen .577 Nitro Express 3" in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads20 factory loads for .577 Nitro Express 3"↗Reloading1 suitable powder — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .577 Nitro Express 3"↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Developed around 1900 for the British African colonial market. The 750-grain bullet at 2,050 fps generates the kind of stopping power needed when an elephant is at 10 yards and accelerating. Used extensively by professional hunters throughout the colonial era. Selous, Bell, and other legendary hunters carried variations of this cartridge.

FAQs

What twist rate does .577 Nitro Express 3" use?
.577 Nitro Express 3" typically uses a 1:26 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .577 Nitro Express 3"?
.577 Nitro Express 3" uses a 0.5839″ (14.83 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .577 Nitro Express 3" still in production?
.577 Nitro Express 3" is active; typical availability is common.
What is .577 Nitro Express 3" used for?
.577 Nitro Express 3" is primarily used for dangerous game.
What is .577 Nitro Express 3" based on?
.577 Nitro Express 3" is derived from the .577 Black Powder Express case.
What are the best powders for .577 Nitro Express 3"?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .577 Nitro Express 3" include Reloader 25.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 18 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →