Ladies and Gentlemn,

This is also from Anthony Marsh's book - FOURTEEN YEARS IN THE AFRICAN BUSH.

He borrowed a 577 NE to try on elephnts, and see if it was effective. Promising to buy it if it was suitable for him.

" The elephants swung around to retreat the way they had come and Muanzia fired as they turned. Raising the 577 I gave the one Muanza had shot one of my favorite shots into the brain from behind and slightly to one side. The effect was quite remarkable. The elephant was flung to the ground as if it had been hit by a train."

Now he relates the story of shooting a lion which has been killing cattle. The lion killed a cow, and did not finish it. So he tied it to a tree.

"I arranged the Land Rover with its lighhts shining on the "kill" and the driver ready, with myself sitting on the front bumper. This position permits maximum illumination of the rifle sights and target, and, although it would appear to be a dangerousplace to sit, it is in reality as safe as anywhere. It is very difficult for anything to see clearly into two blazing headlights.
We were discussing the best place for Muanzia to position himself so that I would not be deafened but so that he could shoot first, for me to follow with the .577, when a large lion casualy walked in from the bush. Lion control - or any control at night - usually means a long wait. We were all totally unprepared for the sudden appearance of the cattle killer, as it was not fully dark. "Lights", I told the driver, and he switched on to reveal a lion with a lovely, tawny mane standing broadside on.
Succumbing to the moment and ignoring my own instructions, I fired at the shoulder of the lion. The effect was most dramatic. The lion flew through the air for about three yards and landed on its side. The only part of its anatomy moving by the time I had run forward was its mouth! The impact of the .577 must have completely devastated the lion's nervous and motor system@

I am skeptical about a lion being flung backward, but I've never shot a 577 either.

So if I ever make it Africa with my .585 this is what I can expect

I can believe that monster bullet at the very moderate .577 velocities could drive the lion back. Remember it has more "hang time" in the animal than if it were moving at near 3,000 ft/sec.

Gentlemen,

Lions do jump quite high sometimes when shot. This might have happened in this case.

The lion was KNOCKED DOWN by the bullet...

The lion simply reacted to the shot. The reaction might have been a reaction to the smack of the bullet hitting him, or it may have been a reaction to the sound/blast. But it sounds like the shot was well placed and therefore was debilitating.