577-2 3/4" Nitro Express

2431 Views 74 Replies 6 Participants Last post by TheDoubleD, May 26, 2022

TheDoubleD

Discussion Starter · Apr 2, 2022

I have 577 2-3/4" Nitro Express built on a Greener Martini Shotgun Action. I picked it up years ago as someone's unfinished project. I am going to finish it out and see if I can make it shoot. If I can get it to shoot I want to take to South Africa next year to take a Cape Buffalo.

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I don't have time for restocking, so I will just reshape and finish what I have. I will cut the stock down to fit me and install a Decelerator butt pad. I will do an oil finish on the stock. That blonde looking wood is a walnut.

I also have to cut all the brass down. It is 3 inch NE brass now. Since no one makes a set up for case trimmers that will handle 577, I will just use a file trim die.

I have to develop two loads. One for 750 grain .585 Barnes TSX bullets for the hunt. I am also going to make some practice loads using a 480 grain cast bullets.

I'll use this thread to keep you guys updated on this crazyness.

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TheDoubleD

Discussion Starter · #61 · May 11, 2022

Well I have another gun to work on for this project while i wait for the Outfitter to find the Ruger, if he can.

Bear Sits In The Woods

· #62 · May 11, 2022

What are you working on now?

TheDoubleD

Discussion Starter · #63 · May 14, 2022

Bear Sits In The Woods said:
What are you working on now?

A simple question with a complex answer.

1. The 577 2-3/4" NE is going to be shipped off to have the load position adjusted. When it returns it will be tested further, The Nitro Express.com guys are convinced that the problem is Trail Boss powder--it does have a history with pressure and extraction. I am aware of that problem. When the gun comes back test with other powders and see if extraction is still an issue.

2. I have a 577/500 No. 2 Express. I would like to use TSX .50 caliber 525 gr. Barnes bullets in this gun. Second choice is Woodleigh 535 grain bullets. The problem is bullets I can't find any. Third choice is Hawk bullets. Need to do research on bullet and loads. I have another Greener Martini for this cartridge

3. 404 Express. I have a 1950's sporterized 98 Mauser built by the Fred Barnes the creator of Barnes Bullets. Don't know why this is called a .404 Express as the bore is .416. The 416 (Chatfield) Taylor is different from this gun by way of a few thousands of an inch in shoulder diameter. Size brass from this gun in Taylor dies and it will squeeze the shoulder slightly, almost not perceptively. I was told years ago that many believed Chatfield-Taylor copied this design from Barnes and changed the number to call it his own. I do use Taylor load data for this gun. This gun needs drilled and tapped for scope. It currently has a Redfield Peepsight. I have good supply of bullets for this gun. I have been using a universal loading die for this gun, but have sent brass off to Whidden gun works to have dies made-should be back in July.

4. Ruger No. 1. I have my gun dealer/outfitter looking for a Ruger No. 1 in 450/400 3inch NE or .416 Ruger. We know who sold the matching serial number to my Leopard in the Buffalo issue. (450/400 3 inch NE.) My Outfitter is going to go after that gun. If I buy this gun from him he is going give me 5 days hunt fee for the10 day trip. He said after the trip I could always sell the gun, yeah right I will sell this gun, not!

So I have back up plans

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TheDoubleD

Discussion Starter · #64 · May 17, 2022

Well crap, carpel tunnel/cubital tunnel surgery yesterday on right arm, left arm later. Everything is on hold. At least the hunt isn't for a year yet.

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Bear Sits In The Woods

· #65 · May 17, 2022

Good luck with a quick recovery.

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diggler1833

· #66 · May 17, 2022

Yep, get well soon.

Bullbuster

· #67 · May 17, 2022

Just have the wife hit you in the shoulder a few times a day with a hammer. You can still prep for the recoil part of it.

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dennishoddy

· #68 · May 18, 2022

TheDoubleD said:
Well crap, carpel tunnel/cubital tunnel surgery yesterday on right arm, left arm later. Everything is on hold. At least the hunt isn't for a year yet.

Stick with that rehab. It will heal faster.

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DRC458

· #69 · May 20, 2022

Sorry to hear about the surgery! Like Dennis said, stick with that PT/rehab! Makes a world of difference!

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TheDoubleD

Discussion Starter · #70 · May 22, 2022

Doc said no PT yet. 5 lb weight limit but flex my wrist, fingers and elbow as much as possible. I have 23 stitches in the elbow, one stitch in the wrist. He doesn't want tearing stitches. I see him Tuesday and I think this is when PT starts...

On the positive side. Out fitter found me a Ruger 1 in 450/400 3". No. 1's in this caliber usually go at a premium.. Outfitter got it for me at standard No.1 price-$500 less than premium. . I am okay with that. The gun is coming out of Wisconsin. The Outfitter talked to the seller Friday and was told sale include 40+ cases and a box of swift Bullets. Brass is $70 for 20 if you can find it, The Swift bullets are $96 a box if you can find them.

Ouch this is expensive. I am oh so glad that in the olden days when they said put money away for retirement I did. Free advice to you youngsters. Max those 401K's every year.

Oh the second part of this is you have to stay healthy and live long enough to enjoy it.

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dennishoddy

· #71 · May 22, 2022

Great advice!^^^^^^

Bullbuster

· #72 · May 22, 2022

I’m working on a second retirement. Have the federal now state.

Wife may decide to kill me before then so….

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Bear Sits In The Woods

· #73 · May 23, 2022

I hear what y’all are saying but truth is I’ll probably work right up till lunch the day of my funeral.

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TheDoubleD

Discussion Starter · #74 · May 26, 2022

Bear Sits In The Woods said:
I hear what y’all are saying but truth is I’ll probably work right up till lunch the day of my funeral.

Don't do it, Retire. It's worth every minute you put into it. I have been retired now 14 years. I am so busy now.

I don't know how I had time to go to work before. We keep a schedule book just to keep track. For instance, today on my schedule, 10 am go pay for new rifle, Noon meet wife for lunch, 2 pm funeral for friend. ( well that is more the down side, I seem to be attending more and more funerals lately).

Down side to retirement is that it is full time. No days off from retirement. No week ends off, still retired on weekend. No paid holidays or sick days, celebrating or sick its still retired. Every day is retired. Every day you have still show up, retired no matter what. Retired is not for the faint of heart.

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TheDoubleD

Discussion Starter · #75 · May 26, 2022

Now to bring this back to the 577-2 3/4 NE. I am going to try to get this gun sent off to the Gunsmith to fix it. When it gets back I will finish this gun and build loads for it. I write all this then.

In the mean time I will be working on a Ruger 1 in 450/400 3", I really do have to go pay for it this morning. When I get the gun I will open a new post on that gun and cartridge. It is very interesting.

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