600 NE

[camlo]

Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve. This was a beautiful rifle and it sounds like whoever won the bid got a great deal. I hope it is used in Africa as intended.

I will verbally abuse myself for a few days over not making a move on this one.

 

[Tom Leoni]

Funny that the name of a guy who bought a .600 would be "p***y." How NOT fitting!

 

[MacJenkins]

That makes me wince just to look at it. 577 is my limit, can't imagine a 600 out of a single.

 

[Raven]

We can only envy this guy. Having such a rifle, it is impossible not to go to Africa.

 

[Dirtdart]

Last bid I saw was $17,000. on this one.

 

[RR 314]

Abuse yourself if you like, but I don’t believe it is worthy of abuse at $17K+premium.

 

[Green Chile]

They are interesting and fun to play with but not a great rifle for Africa. A scoped 375 or 416 is infinitely more practical and useful.

 

[franzfmdavis]

They are interesting and fun to play with but not a great rifle for Africa. A scoped 375 or 416 is infinitely more practical and useful.

If you were picking between the two, would you choose a 375 or 416?

 

[camlo]

Last bid I saw was $17,000. on this one.

That’s wild, by the time I opened the site up again it was gone. Never would’ve figured it would sell for 17!

 

[Green Chile]

If you were picking between the two, would you choose a 375 or 416?

That's a great question and depending on the shooter, there is no wrong answer. For probably 75% of scenarios, the scoped 375 is perfect and it makes a fantastic one gun safari. Many of us have done that exact thing with no regrets. If ele or hippo are involved, I go bigger just because it makes me feel better. Also, I like the 416 for lion but there is nothing wrong with 375 there. I've just seen a lion stay on their feet after having 400 grain softs run long ways all through the body from chest to rear. I was glad to have the 416 and it's always a little more insurance for who knows what. Also, I prefer a 416 on big eland. That's just me. I think every serious Africa hunter will get a lot of use from a scoped 375 or 416 on a variety of species.

 

[franzfmdavis]

That's a great question and depending on the shooter, there is no wrong answer. For probably 75% of scenarios, the scoped 375 is perfect and it makes a fantastic one gun safari. Many of us have done that exact thing with no regrets. If ele or hippo are involved, I go bigger just because it makes me feel better. Also, I like the 416 for lion but there is nothing wrong with 375 there. I've just seen a lion stay on their feet after having 400 grain softs run long ways all through the body from chest to rear. I was glad to have the 416 and it's always a little more insurance for who knows what. Also, I prefer a 416 on big eland. That's just me. I think every serious Africa hunter will get a lot of use from a scoped 375 or 416 on a variety of species.

Thanks for your input! I have read countless threads on the “one and done” benefit of the 375HH but not many (or any) similar opinions on the 416 Rigby. Being relatively close in size and application, I would assume the Rigby is also useful as an all around caliber using appropriate bullets based on the critter.

 

[Safari Dave]

I'm not sure that I would take it if it were given to me...

 

[grand veneur]

The Belgians seem to have liked such rifles. Charles Mahauden, a well-known professional hunter in the Congo, used such a rifle for hunting elephants.

Farquharson rifles caliber 600 Nitro Express are also said to have been used by British riflemen's in World War I against German snipers who were protected by armor.

 

[Pondoro]

The late Cal Pappas owned a Farq. in .600NE.. He sold it, the recoil was horrible. Mind you..Cal had a 4 bore double that he loved to shoot but that single .600 was too much for him..

 

[HankBuck]

I'm not sure that I would take it if it were given to me...

@Safari Dave agree - it’s NOT a “double” and therefore has No appeal to me. I’f I’m gonna get Beat Up by a rifle’s recoil - it’s gotta look beautiful ! Plus, I want to look good carrying it around, have people mistake me for a “tough PH” etc..

 

[PerH]

Many of the Farquasohns made in Belgium was under others contract like the Army&Navy stores .

 

[PCC600]

I picked up this 600NE falling block about 15 years ago . It was made in 1990 . At the time these were selling for US$10,000. It was made in Australia a group consisting of a leading gunsmith ( Rolf Blahnick) , engraver ( Phil Vinnicombe) and stocker ( Ross Waghorn) . The action was designed by Wal Winfer based on the Gibbs Farquharson which he considered the strongest falling block . John Saunders ( of Century Arms & London Guns ) retailed the rifle. My Aussie colleagues will likely be familiar with all these names . Not sure how many 577s and 600s were made . Likely less than a dozen. I know of one in the UK which sported a WJ Jeffery belt logo and serial number . Apparently someone knew someone at H&H when they still owned the Jeffery name and ledgers . My particular rifle is quite well documented - it appears in the Cal Pappas book on “The 600 NE “. It also featured in an Edition of “The Australian Sporting Shooter “ magazine in 2012. I bought it off Graeme Wright who used it to develop the 600NE loads for his book . It is not too bad to shoot . Weighs 13.5 pounds , has 26 inch barrels . Mostly I use loads running at about 1950fps but did load a couple hotter . I have no doubts it would flatten anything .

 

[alby]

I picked up this 600NE falling block about 15 years ago . It was made in 1990 . At the time these were selling for US$10,000. It was made in Australia a group consisting of a leading gunsmith ( Rolf Blahnick) , engraver ( Phil Vinnicombe) and stocker ( Ross Waghorn) . The action was designed by Wal Winfer based on the Gibbs Farquharson which he considered the strongest falling block . John Saunders ( of Century Arms & London Guns ) retailed the rifle. My Aussie colleagues will likely be familiar with all these names . Not sure how many 577s and 600s were made . Likely less than a dozen. I know of one in the UK which sported a WJ Jeffery belt logo and serial number . Apparently someone knew someone at H&H when they still owned the Jeffery name and ledgers . My particular rifle is quite well documented - it appears in the Cal Pappas book on “The 600 NE “. It also featured in an Edition of “The Australian Sporting Shooter “ magazine in 2012. I bought it off Graeme Wright who used it to develop the 600NE loads for his book . It is not too bad to shoot . Weighs 13.5 pounds , has 26 inch barrels . Mostly I use loads running at about 1950fps but did load a couple hotter . I have no doubts it would flatten anything .

Very impressive @PCC600, tastefully done!!

 

[PCC600]

Very impressive @PCC600, tastefully done!!

Thank you .

 

[AZDAVE]

The Farquharson's have a simple elegance about them in my humble opinion. In a 600 I am guessing the recoil would be very sporty. and would torque very solidly to the side in a light rifle. Have shot several 577's and will stop there as it is my limit on what I can shoot very well. 600's cross that recoil tolerance line for me.

@franzfmdavis the 416 rigby make a great one gun safari rifle, but the recoil from the 375 crosses most folks recoil level. IE 375 300gr 2550fps in a 10 LB rifle recoil is 40-45 ftlbs. The 400gr at 2400 in a 10 lbs rifle is 70ish ftlbs. depending on weight of the 375 and 416 the recoil will go up or down a bit but still 25 -30 flbs difference.