doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Double Rifles, Paradox Guns & Gauge Rifles @ doublegunshop.com What's a .577 Snider Good For?

Or to carry it one step further, what's a .577 Snider Double Rifle good for?

I only ask because I see Kirby Hoyt's got a very pretty one for sale. No, I am NOT going to buy it, but it just got me to wondering what someone would actually use it for. I hear/read about .577 BPE and NE guns quite a bit from all the people who love them, and there does seem to be a lot for each one.

I'm sure there must be a cult following out there for the little Snider and I fully expect to get flamed, tarred & feathered, etc. But I'd be interested in hearing from you if you are a member.

One way to look at it is that it was THE military man-stopping cartridge of the era, like the .577/.450 later, the .303 later still, then 7.62... similarly the .45/70 etc; so similar sized game to what those cartridges have been adapted to shoot by civilians would be the kind I'd chase with that cartridge.

Do you think it would be suitable for hog hunting?

if you put it in the right spot you can kill hogs with a .22.

In it's day, the 577 Snider had a lot of respect, and it killed a lot of the "Big 5".

Did it really? Whew, any one of those 5 is a big job. The shooters must have had nerves of steel and supreme confidence in their ability to place their shot(s).

Not saying I doubt your word, but do you know of any literature wherein such feats are mentioned? Again, I'm not "calling you out", I'm just looking for some good reading.

Krakow Kid,
It sure did,all you have to do is read the exploits of the old time hunters and their Askaris?.Read especially about the old poachers that used natives in addition to shooting themselves.Also pay attention to the slave traders that captured or bought slaves and used them to carry the tusks from elephants killed by natives.Pay attention to the Boers,as well as Brits that started out poor and shot what they could find.To find this,forget about tales of safaris by rich folks in the 50s&60s.
What they had was a rifle that would shoot fixed ammo that they could buy cheap or steal;when before,they had to shoot some old ML.You are comparing the 577 with modern magnums, while they compared it with an old ML that may or may not shoot when things got "sticky". Also a leopard is in the Big 5 and it's not so big.Read everything you can find.
Mike

Many Thanks, Der Ami.

Interesting array of snider shooters. I'll probably start with the Boers. Way back in 1990 I got interested in surplus Mausers, which led me to investigate their various histories. Of note was the Boer War, a fascinating time.

Also, a leopard might not be so big, but from what I understand it can be a mighty tough animal to test your nerve!

Krakow Kid,
The Boer Wars(2 different ones) were interesting times, but you need to go back before then and read about the "Trecks"? and the settlement of the Transvaal and Orange Free State. We somehow get the idea that only British WH(PH) and their clients ever killed any thing in Africa.Settlers,farmers,and natives had to use whatever they could to protect their families and livestock.Pygmies in the Ituri killed elephants with a little bitty bow and arrow.Sometimes it only took 2or3 days for the poison to work.
Mike

Again, Thanks for the tip, Der Ami, it is appreciated.

Can you recommend any particular book?