.500 Black Powder Express

.500 BPE
Type	Rifle
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Specifications
Case type	Straight walled, rimmed
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy 440 gr (29 g) 1,900 ft/s (580 m/s) 3,530 ft·lbf (4,790 J)

The .500 BPE or Black Powder Express was first used in a Purdey Double Express rifle in the 1860s. ^[1] It is very similar to the .50-140 Sharps cartridge.

The cartridge usually fires a 440 grain bullet with a speed of 1,900 ft/s (580 m/s) and a muzzle energy in the current Kynoch factory load of 3,530 ft·lbf (4,790 J).

The round was originally used as a tiger hunting caliber, although it also saw use on elephants in some cases.

References