.500 Nitro Express
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.500 Nitro Express: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Double Rifle, Single-Shot Rifle |
| Primer Type | Large Rifle |
| Used For | Big Game Hunting, Dangerous Game |
| Case Design | Rimmed, Straight |
| Year Introduced | 1890 |
.500 Nitro Express: At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Extremely powerful for large and dangerous game
- ✔ Excellent stopping power for big game animals
- ✔ Deep penetration for thick-skinned animals
- ✔ Reliable performance in adverse conditions
- ✔ Historic prestige and reputation
Cons
- ✘ Severe recoil, challenging to shoot accurately
- ✘ Expensive ammunition
- ✘ Limited availability of firearms chambered for it
- ✘ Heavy rifles required to manage recoil
- ✘ Overpowered for most hunting situations
.500 Nitro Express: The Elephant Gun
The .500 Nitro Express is a powerful big game rifle cartridge, designed for hunting large and dangerous game in Africa. Known for its immense stopping power, the .500 Nitro Express has earned a reputation as one of the most formidable elephant hunting cartridges ever created. This round delivers massive energy transfer and deep penetration, making it capable of taking down the largest land animals on Earth.
History and Development
The .500 Nitro Express was developed in 1890 by John Rigby, building upon the success of the earlier .500 Black Powder Express. The transition to smokeless powder allowed for increased velocities and energy, while maintaining the large .510-inch diameter bullet. This cartridge was specifically designed to meet the demands of professional hunters and adventurers seeking a reliable means to stop charging elephants and other dangerous game.
The .500 Nitro Express quickly gained popularity among big game hunters in Africa and India. Its effectiveness against thick-skinned and heavy-boned animals like elephants, rhinoceros, and cape buffalo made it a staple in the arsenal of professional hunters and wealthy sportsmen. The cartridge's power and reliability in critical situations cemented its reputation as a go-to choice for dangerous game hunting.
Throughout the 20th century, the .500 Nitro Express remained a benchmark for large-bore rifle cartridges. Despite the development of other powerful calibers, the .500 Nitro Express maintained its position as one of the most respected and feared cartridges in the hunting world. Its continued use by professional hunters and its appearance in popular culture have contributed to its legendary status.
In modern times, the .500 Nitro Express continues to be manufactured by several companies, catering to a niche market of big game hunters and collectors. While its use has decreased due to changes in hunting regulations and the availability of more modern cartridges, the .500 Nitro Express remains an icon of the golden age of African safaris and big game hunting.
Ballistic Performance
The .500 Nitro Express typically fires a 570-grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of 2,150 feet per second, generating over 5,800 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. This combination of a heavy bullet and high velocity results in deep penetration and massive energy transfer, essential for stopping large, dangerous game. The cartridge's performance at typical hunting ranges ensures that it remains effective even in dense brush or at longer distances.
While the .500 Nitro Express offers unparalleled stopping power, it also produces significant recoil. Rifles chambered for this cartridge are typically heavy, often weighing 12-15 pounds, to help manage the recoil. Despite this, the .500 Nitro Express requires a skilled and experienced shooter to handle effectively, especially in high-pressure hunting situations.
Timeline of .500 Nitro Express Development:
.500 Nitro Express Performance
The .500 Nitro Express offers exceptional performance for large and dangerous game hunting. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Bullet Weight | 570 grains Standard load, other weights available |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,150 feet per second With standard 570-grain bullet |
| Muzzle Energy | 5,850 foot-pounds Massive energy transfer for stopping large game |
| Effective Range | Up to 200 yards Optimal performance at typical dangerous game hunting distances |
| Recoil | Severe Requires heavy rifles and experienced shooters to manage effectively |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .500 Nitro Express loads.
.500 Nitro Express: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .500 Nitro Express ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous Game Hunting | 0-100 | Optimal range for stopping large, dangerous game animals |
| Big Game Hunting | 0-150 | Effective for large non-dangerous game at slightly longer ranges |
| Safari Backup | 0-50 | Ideal for close-range defensive use against charging animals |
Note: The .500 Nitro Express is a specialized cartridge designed for dangerous game hunting at close ranges. Its heavy recoil and large bullet diameter limit its effective range compared to smaller calibers. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations when using this powerful cartridge.
Applications for .500 Nitro Express
The .500 Nitro Express is a specialized cartridge with a specific set of applications:
Caliber Comparisons: .500 Nitro Express
The .500 Nitro Express is a powerful big game hunting cartridge. To understand its capabilities, let's compare it to similar large-bore cartridges:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .500 Nitro Express with other large-bore rifle cartridges. (Based on a 13 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .500 Nitro Express with other large-bore rifle cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .500 Nitro Express with other large-bore rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .500 Nitro Express with other large-bore rifle cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .500 Nitro Express
The .500 Nitro Express is a powerful big game hunting cartridge. This table compares the sectional density of different bullet weights for the .500 Nitro Express.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .500 Nitro Express | 570 | 0.341 |
| .500 Nitro Express | 600 | 0.359 |
| .500 Nitro Express | 535 | 0.320 |
Note: The .500 Nitro Express is known for its high sectional density values, which contribute to its excellent penetration capabilities on large and dangerous game. The cartridge's large bullet diameter of 0.510 inches results in impressive sectional density figures even with its heavy bullet weights.