can get a .600 Nitro Express for VERY good deal. The rifle is based on a bolt action .50 BMG reciever and is a single shot. I am 99% sure that it is considered a regular 'long gun' as a 'British sporting round' in the BATF's eyes, but want to be 100% certain. Where exactly does it say that a modern built .600 NE is legal for me to own and is not considered a Destructive Device (DD)? I will keep you guys informed, but I need to make sure I am on the correct side of the law.

BMG,
Great Northern Guns in Anchorage, Alaska has a Heym bolt action CRF magazine rifle in 600 NE. They said they had a 700 NE single shot on order also. They sell these with no special BATF restrictions to the purchaser, as sporting rifles. If anyone knows the specification in the regs that allow this, then I am all ears too. Maybe because the 600 NE is such an antique/curio/relic and the new 700 NE is really a curio/oddball with no military use? One of those fuzzy gray areas?

BTW, I am going to have a try at finally testing your 700 grain .510" target bullets in my 510 JAB next week. What was the manufacturer's name of these bullets, please?

------------------
RAB

[This message has been edited by DaggaRon (edited 04-06-2002).]

Daggaron,
Thanks, I just wanted to make sure that I'm not the only one out there with crazy hair brained ideas on how to detatch a retna.
The company is AAA Ammunition http://www.aaa-ammo.com out of Omaha,NE. If you order some (705gr semi-bore riders), tell them their friend in MN sent ya (I will be shooting with them again in a 1000yd BMG competetion in June). Definately let me know if they work well.

Does anyone know the specific area in the BATF where it allows these antique big bores to be legal???

This is just heresay, but I believe the law is written ambiguously, which is a double edged sword. On the one hand, I don't believe specific rounds such as the 577 NE and 600 NE are listed. With out specific rounds being listed, it seems that new rounds over .50" could be legally developed. The downside of the ambiguity is that if they don't like your development, then you are pretty much screwed.

I'm also curious the difference between handguns and rifles in regards to the destructive device rating. I know that over 50 handguns are definately only allowed as antiques such as the 577 tranter and the various gauges of howdahs.

BMG- You are OK with either a 600NE or a 700NE. Neither has to be registered as a destructive devise. I called the Washington office of BATF and they were very helpful.These cartridges are considered grandfathered as they are based on old BP hunting only cartridges. Paul harlow at AAA also makes 850 gr boreriders for the .50BMG. I'll be using them again this year at Reno.-Rob

[This message has been edited by Robgunbuilder (edited 04-08-2002).]

I assume that the 585 nyati falls into the same category, as would the 500 A-Square, 500 AHR, etc.

From my understanding of the situation, it has to be over 510 in a rifle or pistol caliber to be considered a destructive device. Thus ,the 500A2 and 500 AHR are presumably Ok.Both are based on non-military brass. The NYATI is probably ok as itis also based on a non-military cartridge traceable in its lineage to the 577NE. Where it gets real interesting is if a military cartridge is modified to produce a sporting round in a caliber > 510. Nevertheless, I think BATF will readily supply you with an exemption letter if you apply.-Rob

dont take this as law, but here's my 2�. It's nominally anything over 0.500 bore, and yes, that means things like a 510 wells, unless it meets the description below.

On the destructive device, it's an intrepretation thing. I would suggest getting with your local office for a call on it. However, the english african carts are specifically excluded from DD in the link below, as it, an others, are curios and relics in and of themselves.
hptp://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/relics/index.htm
further, to be "excluded" from being a destructive device it must (quote from ATF with url)

http://www.atf.treas.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/complete.htm
The term "destructive device" shall not include any device which is neither designed nor redesigned for use as a weapon; any device, although originally designed for use as a weapon, which is redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line throwing, safety, or similar device; surplus ordinance sold, loaned, or given by the Secretary of the Army pursuant to the provisions of section 4684(2), 4685, or 4686 of title 10; or any other device which the Secretary of the Treasury finds is not likely to be used as a weapon, is an antique, or is a rifle which the owner intends to use solely for sporting, recreational or cultural purposes. emphasis added.

jeffe

I use all of my guns for "cultural purposes".

Me too

The use of guns in both social and cultural re-engineering is well documented.-Rob