Calling the guru's of BPE again...
My friend just bought an H&H .577BPE 2.75". Mind you, this is not the more common 3"BPE.
The barrel is stamped "Proofed with 6 drams Black Powder". I haven't found out what the bullet weight is yet, but I assume that it used the 440grain cast bullet that was common with the 577 3"BPE.
I have Graeme Wright's new book, and several others, but only see the 2.75" 577 in Nitro Express.
Any thoughts on loads, or Black to smokeless conversion rates would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks, ND

Does anyone know a conversion rate from Black Powder to a given Smokeless Powder???

Dave:

Holland's are usually engraved somewhere on the action with the regulating load. Six drams (164 grains) sounds like a reference to the standard 160 grain black/560 grain lead bullet load for the 2 3/4" BPE. Looking over tables of the orignal loads for the .577 3" BPE/NFB and .577 2 3/4" BPE/NFB (I've never loaded either)...they used pretty much the same loads.

Original .577 2 3/4" BPE loads - all bullets lead paper patched or lead metal based (gas check):

135 black/520 bullet
160 black/480 bullet
160 black/520 bullet
160 black/530 bullet
160 black/560 bullet (appears to be most common)
160 black/600 bullet
167 black/650 bullet

Original .577 3" BPE loads:

160 black/560 bullet (appears to be most common)
160 black/650 bullet
167 black/520 bullet
167 black/570 bullet
167 black/610 bullet
Eley loaded 165-192 black, with 590 grain Holland proprietary bullets.

Nitro for black loadings for both lengths were 65 Cordite/560 grain bullet up through 75 Cordite/650 grain bullet.

As you can see, not much difference in the original loads.

The most common conversion from black to smokeless that I've seen used is the old black x 40% = IMR 4198, thus 64 grains IMR 4198. H can also be used. A LOT of filler is required here - Seyfried says 25 grains in a .577. Read pages 139-140 in Graeme's book carefully.

Good luck.
-------------------------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

Mark,
Being the "God of Proof Marks", I was hoping you would respond.
Thanks soooooo Much!!!! You are the man!!!
Thanks, ND

Mark,
I missed your last line before.
Yes!!! I have studied Wright's chapter on filler and chamber ringing. It's some of the best reading I have seen in a long time.
After you, 450 #2, and JPK, helped me get my 450BPE stuffed with pillows and grouping, I started using 12 grains of dacron. I shot a huge Ram 3 weeks ago with it and sprayed "Teddy Bear Guts" for 10 yards in front of the gun...impressed the heck out of the guides...these young men had never seen a double rifle before. They liked my 127 yard shot, with this 110+ year old, iron sighted gun too.

Again...Thanks for the great post!!!
ND

Does anyone have a source for cast bullets. We have found 560grain cast in .577 paper patch, but would like to use lube groove if available.
Any education would be appreciated...
Thanks, ND

ND,
I'm using a 600 gr bullet from a NEI mould #570-586 in my 3" with good success. I don't know if this mould is still available or not. My load is 69 gr of IMR 4198, mag primers and about 18 gr of dacron, about all that I can stuff in the case. There was an article in Double gun and single shot journal about two years ago about loading the 2 3/4 case for use in India. Don't have the issue but I'm sure someone here will have it.
Best.

50cal, What velocity are your getting with your loading? Biebs

Biebs,
I'm getting 1765 avg out of that load, excellent groups, at least for me, of 2" at 50 yds. Bullets are cast frow WW and sized to .585.
Hope this helps.
Best.

50 Calshtr,
Thanks for the posts! I will pass this along to my friend. He is gathering components and I am trying to get him some data. All of this will help him get started with the .577

Sorry about the delayed response...I have been out deer hunting with my son.
Thanks, ND

ND,
Good luck with the 577, remember to start low and work up,use penty of dacron and use mag primers, regular ones gave me hang fires, not fun with a 600 gr bullet ready to launch. Hope the deer hunting went well, 'course any time spent with your son is great. I'm heading out to Virginia in a few minutes so I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.
Best.