Compare / .450 Nitro Express vs .500 Nitro Express

Cartridge comparison

.450 Nitro Express vs .500 Nitro Express

.500 Nitro Express carries more energy (5,985 vs 5,038 ft·lb); .450 Nitro Express recoils less.

.450 Nitro Express →
Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd
100 yd · zero0″−73″73″ drop @ 500 yd0250500Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.500 Nitro Express →
Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd
100 yd · zero0″−73″73″ drop @ 500 yd0250500Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.450 Nitro Express.500 Nitro Express
TypeRifleRifle
Introduced18981890
Bullet ⌀0.458″0.51″
Case length3.25″3″
Velocity2,150–2,175 fps2,150–2,175 fps
Energy4,926–5,038 ft·lb5,850–5,985 ft·lb
Max pressure44,237 psi41,000 psi
Recoil70–95 ft·lb75–100 ft·lb
Eff. range100 yd100 yd

FAQs

Does .450 Nitro Express hit harder than .500 Nitro Express?
.500 Nitro Express carries more muzzle energy (5,985 vs 5,038 ft·lb).