Rifle · SAAMI
.577 Nitro Express 3"
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
- Introduced
- 1900
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- Holland & Holland / Various
- Manufacturer
- Kynoch / various
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 184 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:26
- Primer
- Large Rifle Magnum
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 35,534 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 75 yd
- Max range
- 4750 yd
- Recoil
- 123.4–136.2 ft·lb
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .577 Nitro Express 3". Parent case: .577 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 · secondary source| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 14.83 | 0.584 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 15.37 | 0.605 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 16.81 | 0.662 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 19.05 | 0.750 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.27 | 0.050 | · |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 76.20 | 3.000 | · |
| Overall length | 93.98 | 3.700 | · |
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
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
1 reloading powder listed for .577 Nitro Express 3", 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 .577 Nitro Express 3"
Lineage
cordite/nitro loading
Connected reference
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 →
