Quick Facts
| Manufacturer | Bertram |
| Cartridge | .577 Nitro Express 3 inch |
| Product | New, unprimed brass cartridge cases |
| Case type | Rimmed, straight |
| Country of manufacture | Australia |
| U.S. distributor | Desert Tech Munitions |
Important: This listing is for brass cartridge cases only. It is not loaded ammunition and contains no primer, powder, or projectile.
Why Choose Bertram .577 Nitro Express 3 inch Brass?
- New-production cases for a specialized cartridge with limited commercial availability
- Manufactured for the correct cartridge rather than improvised from unrelated brass
- Produced by Bertram, a manufacturer specializing in rare, obsolete, and large-bore cartridge cases
- Imported and supported in the United States by Desert Tech Munitions
Who This Product Is For
- Handloaders with firearms correctly chambered for .577 Nitro Express 3 inch
- Dangerous-game hunters, collectors, gunsmiths, and specialty ammunition manufacturers
- Qualified dealers and OEM buyers requiring volume quantities
Cartridge at a Glance
| Introduced | Late nineteenth to early twentieth century |
| Origin | Great Britain |
| Developer | British gun and ammunition trade |
| Primary role | Specialist close-range dangerous-game cartridge for double rifles |
| Case design | Rimmed, straight |
Cartridge Profile: .577 Nitro Express 3 inch
The .577 Nitro Express 3 inch is a British rimmed, straight-cased cartridge associated with heavy double rifles intended for close-range dangerous-game work.
It became an iconic professional-hunter chambering during the classic African safari era and remains closely associated with large, purpose-built double rifles.
Modern production is limited, and both rifles and components occupy a highly specialized portion of the dangerous-game market.
Rifles and Actions Associated with the .577 Nitro Express 3 inch
This brass is intended only for firearms specifically chambered for .577 Nitro Express 3 inch. Documented examples and platform types include:
Historic Rifles
- Westley Richards .577 3 inch double rifles
- Other British hammer and hammerless double rifles
Modern Production and Bespoke Rifles
- Modern Westley Richards .577 Nitro Express double rifles
- Other bespoke British and European double rifles
Collector and Restoration Rifles
- Original rifles requiring careful chamber, bore, and proof-status verification
Compatibility note: A rifle model or action type may exist in several chamberings. Always verify the exact chamber marking on the firearm before ordering components.
Common Applications
- Close-range dangerous-game hunting
- Professional hunter and backup rifles
- Heavy double rifles
- Historic rifle preservation and restoration
- Specialty ammunition manufacturing
Product and Reference Specifications
| Manufacturer | Bertram |
| Product condition | New |
| Primed | No |
| Material | Cartridge brass |
| Reloadable | Yes, when inspected, prepared, and loaded correctly |
| C.I.P. designation | 577 N.E. 3 inch |
| Maximum case length | 76.20 mm / 3.000 in |
| Maximum cartridge length | 93.98 mm / 3.700 in |
| Reference bullet diameter | 14.83 mm / .584 in |
| Maximum rim diameter | 19.05 mm / .750 in |
| Country of manufacture | Australia |
| U.S. distributor | Desert Tech Munitions |
Reference dimensions do not replace inspection of the actual component or verification against the firearm, dies, and published loading information.
Case Preparation Before Loading
- Inspect every case before use
- Check the case mouth, body, primer pocket, and flash hole
- Run an expander through the neck or size the case when appropriate
- Chamfer, deburr, and measure as needed
- Use reliable published loading information suitable for the firearm and components
Reloading note: Bulk packaging and transportation may leave some case mouths slightly out of round or produce minor cosmetic marks. Inspect and prepare every case before loading.
Availability
Bertram manufactures many specialty calibers in scheduled production runs. When this brass is unavailable:
- Use the product-page stock notification when available
- Contact Desert Tech Munitions for expected incoming inventory
- Qualified dealer and OEM buyers may contact us regarding volume requirements
Why Buy from Desert Tech Munitions?
- Authorized U.S. Bertram distributor
- U.S. inventory and domestic shipping when product is available
- Direct working relationship with Bertram
- Knowledgeable support for rare and specialty cartridge brass
- Dealer pricing for qualified resellers
- OEM pricing for qualified manufacturers and volume buyers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this loaded ammunition?
No. This listing is for new, unprimed brass cartridge cases only.
Who manufactures this brass?
Bertram manufactures these cases in Australia.
Does Desert Tech Munitions import Bertram brass directly?
Desert Tech Munitions is the authorized U.S. Bertram distributor and imports Bertram products for the U.S. market.
Can this brass be reloaded?
Yes. Case life depends on chamber dimensions, load pressure, case preparation, sizing practices, and careful inspection between loadings.
Should I size new cases before loading them?
Inspect every case before use. Running an expander through the neck or sizing may be appropriate to restore shape and establish consistent dimensions before the first loading.
What rifles have been chambered for this cartridge?
The cartridge is associated principally with heavy British-style double rifles, including historic and modern Westley Richards rifles and other bespoke builds.
Why is this brass sometimes difficult to find?
The cartridge serves a specialized market, so brass is commonly manufactured in scheduled or limited production runs rather than continuously.
Can Desert Tech Munitions supply dealer or OEM quantities?
Yes. Dealer and OEM programs are available to qualified buyers. Contact us for current requirements, pricing, and availability.
Classic Safari & Dangerous Game Collection
Select any cartridge below to view its brass, pricing, and availability.