.500 No. 2 Express

The .500 No. 2 Express (also called the .577/.500 and, in Germany, 12.7mm British No. 2) is a British centerfire fire rifle cartridge.

Designed as a black powder round in 1882 or 1883, it resembles the .577/.500 Magnum Nitro Express, but uses a shorter case; the two are not interchangeable. It was offered in single or double rifles, as well as a variety of Martini-based lever guns.

In power, the .500 No. 2 is comparable to the contemporary .577/.500 Magnum and .50-110 Winchester, or the modern .30-'06. It is sufficient for elk, deer, moose, or bear at medium range or in woods and thin-skinned dangerous game, including lions and tigers, but not thick-skinned animals such as elephant. It was popular in India with contemporary shooters, and tended to be offered in heavy rifles.

The bullet is virtually the same as the .50 Sharps, and Lyman molds can be used to produce cast examples for reloading. Factory loads used about between 130-160 gr (8.4-10.4 g) of Fg.

Moderately popular in its day, the round has long since ceased to be offered commercially. Black powder rifles in this caliber should use somewhat light smokeless loads.