The .577 Snider cartridge is a British caliber that was first introduced in the 1860s for use in the Snider-Enfield rifle, a conversion of the Enfield Model 1853 rifle-musket to a breech-loading format. It is a large, rimmed black powder cartridge, characterized by a straight, tapered case. The bullet diameter is approximately 0.577 inches (14.66 mm), and it typically features a lead projectile.
The cartridge was one of the early metallic cartridges adopted by the British Army and saw widespread use from its inception until it began to be phased out in favor of the Martini-Henry rifle and its .450/577 Martini-Henry cartridge in the 1870s. It was used extensively during the colonial wars and was noted for its stopping power.
In civilian use, the .577 Snider was popular for big game hunting in Africa and India due to its large caliber and significant impact. It has a strong historical and collectible interest today, with several reproduction rifles and newly manufactured cartridges available for enthusiasts.