The .500 Jeffery is a big-game rifle cartridge that first appeared around 1920, and was originally introduced by the August Schuler Company, a German firm, under the European designation "12,7x70 mm Schuler" or ".500 Schuler". It was renamed the .500 Jeffery so as to be more palatable to British hunters and sportsmen following World War One. When introduced the .500 Jeffery was the most powerful rifle cartridge in existence and remained so prior to World War II. The 505 Gibbs, introduced prior to it in 1911, has only recently been loaded to higher modern pressures, although still below, hence remaining less powerful.
When the .500 Jeffery was first introduced it was loaded to a velocity of 2,350 feet per second (720 m/s) topped off with a 535-grain bullet generating 6,560 ft·lbf (8,890 J) of muzzle energy, which makes it a pretty good hunting caliber generally where thick-skinned dangerous game occurs. Since then, reloading capabilities have advanced, being able to launch heavier bullets at higher velocities. Now with modern reloads, the .500 Jeffery can launch a 600-grain bullet at a muzzle velocity ranging from about 2,450 to 2,500 ft/s (750 to 760 m/s). max. generating 7,995 ft·lbf (10,840 J) to 8,100 ft·lbf (11,000 J). With the newer reloads, this made the .500 Jeffery the most powerful production cartridge in the world until the introduction of the .460 Weatherby Magnum.
The .500 Jeffery has had a few issues since its introduction. It has a rather short neck length that can make it difficult to seat bullets with a large sectional density. Also, it has a small shoulder. This is not usually an issue but since the .500 Jeffery also has a rebated rim, it makes it rather difficult to extract in extreme conditions. But like the 505 Gibbs, the .500 Jeffery is also still enjoying somewhat of a renaissance among American shooters and African Big Game hunters in the early 21st century, almost 100 years after their introduction. It’s known to be used on large games like elephants.
Nothing gets the blood pumping in the veins of many professional hunters like hunting hazardous game. They not only need long journeys, but they also necessitate the use of a firearm that is not your ordinary deer rifle.
According to legend, the 500 Nitro Express was the favorite cartridge of famed Kenyan Professional Hunter John A. Hunter — a guy who killed more rhinoceros in the golden age of safaris than anybody else. The term ".500 Nitro Express" refers to one of three different ways to load the.500 Express case. The.500 Black Powder Express and.500 Nitro for Black Powder is the new name for the other loadings.
The.500s bullet has a Sectional Density of 0.313 at 570 grains, allowing for great penetration even at close ranges, where this cartridge is most commonly employed. The.500 Nitro Express is a high-powered, high-performance rifle. When loaded with jacketed bullets, it can outperform even its black powder competitors when it comes to hazardous games. Within 50 to 75 yards, it produces 5,850 ft.-lbs. of muzzle energy. The weight of a well-made.500 Nitro rifle is normally approximately 12 pounds, but bigger calibers can be up to five pounds heavier.
The.500 Nitro Express was created for Africa's and India's biggest wildlife, including elephants, hippopotamuses, rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, and water buffalo. Although it was originally intended for use in double rifles, the Farquarson action was also used in single shots, and at least one significant business (Heym) produced it in a bolt-action style. However, large game ammo generally comes with a lot of recoil, which not every hunter will be able to tolerate.
