A .577 with History - A Great Find

[Gert Odendaal]

Buckstix

You have found the holy grail of old historical rifles...you are a blessed man, extremely fortunate and the envy of many of us as rifle /gun lovers....thank you for sharing this great momentum with us and be sure we all are happy for your fortunate find...

Gert

 

[buckstix]

Hello All,

And thank you All for the kind reply.

I've carried this rifle hunting during the last 2 whitetail deer seasons here in Wisconsin. So far, I've spent a lot of time looking at it, but have not yet discharged it at game, which is just fine with me, because I really enjoy just looking at it. It amazes me that I can hold a rifle, that was used over 115 years ago to kill 2 Lions. Maybe I need to find a Lion, instead of a deer.

 

[Velo Dog]

Hello All,

And thank you All for the kind reply.

I've carried this rifle hunting during the last 2 whitetail deer seasons here in Wisconsin. So far, I've spent a lot of time looking at it, but have not yet discharged it at game, which is just fine with me, because I really enjoy just looking at it. It amazes me that I can hold a rifle, that was used over 115 years ago to kill 2 Lions. Maybe I need to find a Lion, instead of a deer.

Buckstix,

Your .577 is a Time Machine, take good care of it.

Out,
Velo Dog.

 

[buckstix]

Hello Velo Dog.

Thanks for the reply.

This is one that will be hard to see go someday.

 

[enysse]

Great story, hopefully you can get a whitetail deer with it!

 

[375sunrise]

I commend you on your research & an absolutely priceless double.
Another name that stands out to me along with McNiels on the donation list is F. C. Selous .

 

[buckstix]

Hello 375sunrise,

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, that list has many of the Greats of the day.

 

[Bruce]

AMAZING post... WELL DONE!!!!!
A great rifle with an INCREDIBLE backlog of historical data applicable to the rifle... AND STORIES!!
I envy your skills in this regard...

 

[buckstix]

Hello Bruce,

Thanks for the reply.

I love digging out the History of there vintage pieces.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Just saw this thread yesterday for whatever reason. I think I was in RSA when it started. What a great story and a true piece of history. I do hope you'll get the chance to take that rifle back to Africa @buckstix to be used at least one more time for what it was designed for.

 

[buckstix]

Hello Phoenix Phil,

Thanks for the reply.

I've hunted with it here in Wisconsin, but have not been sucessful. I'll keep trying.

 

[matt85]

a very interesting rifle indeed!

I'm curious, what velocity are you getting with a 650gr bullet in the 20-577 NE cartridge? I'm not finding the cartridge in any of my books.

-matt

 

[kathy]

Very interesting read, beautiful double.
I think you must go to Africa and kill another lion with the 20-577, and continue its History.
Thanks for sharing . Forrest

 

[buckstix]

Hello kathy,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, it would be nice to test it again. I've been taking it hunting here in Wisconsin, but not for lion.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Great story.
Thanks for sharing buckstix.
Witold

 

[buckstix]

Hello Witold,

Thanks for the reply.

Its nice to have one that has all the History found out - not like many of my other rifles where I'm still researching.

 

[cal pappas]

a very interesting rifle indeed!

I'm curious, what velocity are you getting with a 650gr bullet in the 20-577 NE cartridge? I'm not finding the cartridge in any of my books.

-matt

Matt:
If you come up to the next double shoot here in AK (May 7) I will show you my ballistics for the 20-577 and the article I wrote when I owned the rifle. I have some ammo for the 20-577 and can show you a round. It's too bad the cartridge didn't take off as it really was under loaded. In fact, the .577 Rewa was basically a 20-577 with a full house load of powder and lead.
Cal

 

[matt85]

welcome back Cal, where you been hiding?

-matt

 

[buckstix]

a very interesting rifle indeed!

I'm curious, what velocity are you getting with a 650gr bullet in the 20-577 NE cartridge? I'm not finding the cartridge in any of my books.

-matt

Hello matt85,

Thanks for the reply.

When I received the rifle, there was accompanying loading data that was dangerously "over-loaded" and continued use would have harmed the rifle. However, with some scientific pressure testing I was able to find the rifle's "sweet-spot" as can be seen by my target below. Many people unwittingly abuse these vintage old beauties needlessly thinking they must try to wring-out every last foot-per-second, rather than doing diligence to obtain factual period data and doing pressure testing to duplicate period loadings.

If you come to the next double shoot here in Wisconsin (June 16-19) you can shoot my 20-577 rifle and I will show you the articles I wrote. I have some ammo for the 20-577 and can give you a round for your collection.

 

[matt85]

wow that accuracy is impressive! the velocities are very low though, about the same as 577 BPE using black powder according to the Woodleigh manual.

If you come to the next double shoot here in Wisconsin (June 16-19) you can shoot my 20-577 rifle and I will show you the articles I wrote

this is very tempting! perhaps I will try showing up assuming plane tickets aren't too spendy (and I can get away from work).

If you come up to the next double shoot here in AK (May 7) I will show you my ballistics for the 20-577 and the article I wrote when I owned the rifle.

I would love to try and make the next shoot!

-matt