Any .577 NE rifles in use out there?

[frog stealer]

Brian,

I took delivery of my Heym 89b in .577 last March. Unfortunately, I have some saving to do before I hunt DG with it, but I fully intend to do so.

That being said, I’ve put hundreds of rounds through mine, with several different bullet types and weights, so feel free to ask questions on specifics. The good thing about a large bore double is that they will more or less regulate with everything. My front runners are 750 woodleigh softs and Barnes TSX, both of which I can only imagine would work nicely on all dangerous game.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Mr. Karl Stumpfe, white hunter of Ndumo Safaris prefers a Verney Carron boxlock ejector in .577 Nitro Express. I have some mutual friends with him, including the co-author of my autobiography.

My white hunter friend Mr. Mark Sullivan of Nitro Express Safaris currently prefers a Heym Model 88B in .577 Nitro Express. He likes it so much that he has sold all his other double rifles and just uses this one (along with a custom made .375 Holland & Holland Magnum built by Lon Paul on a pre ‘64 Winchester Model 70 action).

Is Mark Sullivan still an active PH?

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Is Mark Sullivan still an active PH?

Very much so.

 

[Brian]

Would love to hear more about that build

Beck, Thanks for your interest .
The method used for this kind of conversion is called the Stub Barrel method.

I built it after I learned about the true cape buffalo killing power of the 375 HH .

To convert a firearm to a calibre this big, of course the action/barrel must first have adequate strength and barrel outside diameter at the breach and quality of construction. The H&R in 10 ga. with the SB2 frame, as opposed the the weaker SB1 frame, qualifies on all three counts by a narrow margin.

The 10 ga. barrel was cut off in front of the hinge pin. The rear section of the barrel was then threaded from the front and a new properly threaded 577NE barrel was screwed.
Chamber and extractor/ejector work completes the job. Thats it.

It is not really difficult to do but it is difficult to find a gunsmith who will do it.

On my rifle I did the stock work, which is also easy to do on a brake open rifle. You will notice that the drop is minimal. I even gave it a bit of "cast off". It's probably the only H&R Handi Rifle in captivity that features cast-off stock.

I made several experimental stocks in my search for the least felt recoil.

As you know a .577 in a light (10 pounds or less) rifle will kick like a rented mule, so I also ordered a long and heavy 26.5" barrel for it.

My final version shown in full dress camo is the best shooting one of all and also is the ugliest. It weighs about 13 lbs. It has taken 7 cape buffalo. Not a single buffalo has complained about about it's killing power. Brian

 

[Hunting Hitman]

HH, That will be perfect! What bullet do you plan to use? I like 700 gr Peregrine BushMaster bullets and 600 gr. Cutting Edge Raptor Bullets. I have come to expect cape buffalo to be "dead right there" with these bullet if I hit them well. My loads are medium velocity and I shoot buffalo at 50yds or less usually.

Brian,
I believe it’s going to be regulated with 750 grain bullets. Currently I’m working up loads for Cutting Edge FTS 750 grain and the Barnes TSX 750 grain. I may try and see if I can get some 650 grain bullets and see how they shoot. Time will tell.

HH

 

[LimbNoMo]

Mr. Karl Stumpfe, white hunter of Ndumo Safaris prefers a Verney Carron boxlock ejector in .577 Nitro Express. I have some mutual friends with him, including the co-author of my autobiography.

My white hunter friend Mr. Mark Sullivan of Nitro Express Safaris currently prefers a Heym Model 88B in .577 Nitro Express. He likes it so much that he has sold all his other double rifles and just uses this one (along with a custom made .375 Holland & Holland Magnum built by Lon Paul on a pre ‘64 Winchester Model 70 action).

I was corrected on a FB group that it is a Paul Demas. Looks like a VC to me!

 

[AZDAVE]

@Brian I have a 577 built off a mossberg 10 ga single. weights are similar. I have been shooting it at 577 BPE level. but at some point going to work up a 650gr CEB solid load at full nitro level.

 

[Brian]

I was corrected on a FB group that it is a Paul Demas. Looks like a VC to me!

I am going to look that maker. Brian

@Brian I have a 577 built off a mossberg 10 ga single. weights are similar. I have been shooting it at 577 BPE level. but at some point going to work up a 650gr CEB solid load at full nitro level.

@Brian I have a 577 built off a mossberg 10 ga single. weights are similar. I have been shooting it at 577 BPE level. but at some point going to work up a 650gr CEB solid load at full nitro level.

AZDAVE, Basically the same as mine, very interesting. I would sure like the see a picture of it. How long is your barrel?

The 650 CEB Raptor will be perfect, especially with the plastic tip installed.

I use that bullet in my 50-110 Winchester TC Encore single shot at about 1,920 fps. on cape buffalo. ( next time that I use it on cape buffalo it will be at 2,100 fps.) So far on three cape buffalo they are were all dead right there with a decent heart/lungs shot.

Thanks for the news, I hope you can pst a photo. Brian

 

[50Gunner]

Another more than satisfied 577 Nitro user here, couple quick stories.

Hippo bull 18 yards broadside, face in grass feeding, slammed him in the shoulders with 750gr TSX, he dropped, quickly moved left, gave him an insurance shot in the forehead triangle with 750gr Barnes flat nosed solid, the skinners found the solid in the guts, that mighty solid had a slightly bent meplat after the head shot and two feet of spine, plainly spelled out to me how genuinely tough these dangerous game animals truly are.

Perfect big wind in face, snuck through the river reeds to within 20 yards of seven old lone Dagga boys hanging out in the sand and shade, was able to pick out the oldest most worn smooth bull, slammed him in the last left side rib with 750gr TSX between the swaying back and forth reeds, he fell and began his death bellow, his buddies thundered off to our left down the river, I again moved left to give him a solid through the shoulders, I fired, at that instant when turning my head to see where the other bulls went and reloading my rifle i saw a small flash of light.

That solid went through both shoulders, down into the riverbed, turned and came to the surface, the bullet was the flash of light I saw as it surfaced, I have it here, the whole bullet but the shiney base is sandblasted ; ]

Africa is a truly great place that hot iron brands memories to ones head to never be forgotten, OR surpassed.