Hello All,

By request, I've posted this here also.

Well, after playing around with a dozen Double Rifles, and near as many Big-Bore Bolt Rifles, I finally stepped up - into the World of the 600 Nitro Express.

A Verney Carron Custom Shop XA Azur, with lots of Whistles and Bells. If you're going to go for it - you might as well get what you want.

And ........... it finally arrived.

After getting it home, I sat under the reading light with my magnifying glass, and just looked at for an hour. Every time I turned it, I saw some detail that I had missed. If you look at the super-magnification of the Rhino engraving, it is signed by the Master Engraver, "Gronte", along the right edge.

I tried to show all the special features, but the photos don't do it justice - you've got to actually hold it to appreciate the beauty.

I haven't been this excited about a new gun, for nearly 40 years.

To best describe my excitement . . . . . . . . . . its like they say in the commercials, "... If it lasts for more than 4 hours, seek medical attention ..."

Tell me what you think.

That is a beauty.....go to Africa and shoot elephant with it...

Wow, that is stunning.
Congraulations.

gun porn at its finest

That Rhino looks like a photo...perfect!

....STUNNING....

What a way to start a Sunday...

Excellent, I'd like a 450 or 500 configured identically

Very, very nicely done! Congratulations

Stunning, simply stunning. What load did you have it regulated with?

Beautiful rifle, buckstix! Hoping it shoots well for you.

a stunning rifle for sure - I have its twin in 450 3 ¼ NE - mine has an elephant engraved on the floorplate vice a rhino. I hope your 600 shoots as well as my 450 - I look forward to seeing your targets and hearing your hunt reports!

Very nice. Congrats.

I am curious, did you ask them to do a white rhino as opposed to a black rhino or is that simply VC's choice?

Thought that was a Hispanic Rhino, Mike? Hmmm, proper rifle none-the-less

That's a real beauty!
Rhino looks great.
Yes do use it for elephant!

Congratulations on a great caliber in a fine double.

Doc, you've got to bring yours up to my range and knock the dust off it :-)

quote:

Originally posted by CCMDoc:
That's a real beauty!
Rhino looks great.
Yes do use it for elephant!

Congratulations on a great caliber in a fine double.

DOC! Glad to see you posting again. I've missed all the arborist adventures with your various doubles.

Not enough superlatives to describe that rifle, congrats.

Hello all.

Thanks for your kind replies.

Here is the "balance report" ... The rifle is showm loaded; 14.9 lbs.





and here is my first target ... NOT FACTORY LOADS ...

NOTE: I DISCOVERED AN ERROR IN THE TARGET I FIRST POSTED, AND I CORRECTED IT. THE TARGET WAS SHOT WITH 900g CAST BULLETS, NOT 900g WOODLEIGH'S.

Biebs,
Let me take a look at the next few weekends. I'll load up 60-80 rounds - half full power stuff, half with Trail Boss. We'll laugh our asses off with the Trail Boss stuff.

FFemt5287,
You're right, I do have to do some .620 weed whacking. Maybe some .375 Flanged bark busting as well.

Buckstix,
I'm with Psmith - too beautiful for proper description.
I really really like your rhino. I think I'd have a rhino on my next V-C double.
I gave V-C a photo from which they did the engraving on my 600. They've used it for other's since.
Load data coming to you soon.

BTW - take a look at regulation target.
V-C used Kynoch for their regulation. This gives you a good idea about your optimal velocity.

Again congratulations!

Truly a stunningly breathtaking rifle. Congratulations. You are shooting a work of art. I know you'll enjoy it every time you pick it up.

quote:

Originally posted by CCMDoc:
Biebs,
Let me take a look at the next few weekends. I'll load up 60-80 rounds - half full power stuff, half with Trail Boss. We'll laugh our asses off with the Trail Boss stuff.

FFemt5287,
You're right, I do have to do some .620 weed whacking. Maybe some .375 Flanged bark busting as well.

Buckstix,
I'm with Psmith - too beautiful for proper description.
I really really like your rhino. I think I'd have a rhino on my next V-C double.
I gave V-C a photo from which they did the engraving on my 600. They've used it for other's since.
Load data coming to you soon.

BTW - take a look at regulation target.
V-C used Kynoch for their regulation. This gives you a good idea about your optimal velocity.

Again congratulations!

+1 on everything Doc said. I was one of the folks who "copied" the elephant engraving from his 600. I really love the rhino as well. I spoke to Ken Buch about doing a .375 flanged double with a sable on the floorplate - maybe someday.

Buck:
Do you, or will you, shoot loads to the original velocity? In my old Wilkes .600, 160 grains of IMR 4831 and the 900-grain Woodleigh equals the original load.
Cal

Hello All,

Thanks for your replies,

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
I am curious, did you ask them to do a white rhino as opposed to a black rhino or is that simply VC's choice?

Hello MJines,

Thanks for your reply.

Their choice. However, the White Rhino is a "happy" Rhino, and not a "brute" like the black Rhino. Just like this rifle wiil be.

quote:

Do you, or will you, shoot loads to the original velocity?

Hello Cal,

Thanks for your reply.

As far as shooting to originally velocity, I'm sure I can duplicate it with handloads, and will try a few someday. But I'm looking at this mostly as being a "fun" gun, with no need to beat-it-up (or me) at this point. I'm not ready to go FULL HOUSE yet. I want to get a feel for the gun first.

Having never shot anything larger than a .500NE, I have to ask - how is the recoil on your .600? How would you compare it to other doubles you have shot? The target you posted is quite impressive by the way!

Subsailor74....the felt recoil is looong and heavy on a .600, not the hard jerk the .450 - .500 NE class produce.

Remember that max. velocity with a 900 grainer will be about 1950fps. That equals the 900-110-1950 load, ie the 110 grain cordite load, the heaviest load offered by Eley and Kynoch after 1900.

I shot a well built .600 that weighed in at 13,2 pounds and found it remarkably controllable...with the aforementioned load.

Is it really neccesary to build them as heavy as 15 - 16+ pounds..??

After all...is it not the heavy weight that causes most people to turn them down as unpractical..?

Selling a kidney to afford such a beauty.

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
Selling a kidney to afford such a beauty.

Hello boom stick.

Thanks for the reply.

I never thought of that! Wish I had.

quote:

Originally posted by buckstix:

I have shot a little 5744 and always thought you should never use filler or foam with 5744 even though it does not come close to filling the case. It was said it could cause pressure problems with reduced loads.

With a double I am not sure what the first sign of pressure would be.

Somebody on here with more experience than me please speak up about the 5744, that is a beautiful rifle and I would hate for anything to happen to it.

Hello MikeBurke.

Thanks for the reply.

I have corresponded with Accurate Powders on the use of backing rod foam as a filler and they didn't have a concern about using it. A piece of backing rod foam weighs about 1 grain and does little more than hold the powder against the primer. This foam is 99% air.

I have used this foam as a filler for reduced charges, and with "full" charges of fast burning powder where there is a lot air space left in the case. I've used this method in 8 different double rifles, and in over a dozen bolt action rifles.

Having said that, if it concerns you, don't use it.

That is the best looking new DR I have see pictures of (except for the H&H & Purdey doubles)

I just love the way the old fashioned scroll work is done - it looks 3D in those photos. I love the minor details in the fore end fittings that seem to be engrave to scale - smaller scrolls for the smaller metal pieces.

Congratulations on a grand and wonderful piece of art!


Just had to post it again from the other thread. Can't say enough about this beauty.

Congratulations on a very fine rifle. It should bring years of pleasure and fun. I sent you a PM with something you may be interested in.

Good shooting

quote:

Originally posted by MikeBurke:

I have shot a little 5744 and always thought you should never use filler or foam with 5744 even though it does not come close to filling the case. It was said it could cause pressure problems with reduced loads.

With a double I am not sure what the first sign of pressure would be.

Somebody on here with more experience than me please speak up about the 5744, that is a beautiful rifle and I would hate for anything to happen to it.

I have the same understanding. In fact, I seem to recall that one of the shooting books, maybe Wieland's book, included the same point. I would print and keep the email from the powder company.

That's some wonderful accuracy and regulation at 50 yards with cast bullets. The fellas at V-C sure know how to build a rifle don't they?

I agree with the two gents that are cautioning against using filler with 5744,I use fillers a lot but never with 5744,this powder does not require a filler with reduced loads,this has been confirmed by many & many a time,please recheck your facts,not trying to tell you what to do,but would hate to see you damage your beautiful gun,if I remember correctly,there was a damaged Heym not that long ago where fillers were used with 5744,again please take no offence,all the best.

Bal, just FYI, the 600 NE is too large for one of your converted Model 71 Bubba Specials! :-)

Hello Bill73,

Thanks for your reply.

Like I said in the above post, "If it concerns you, don't use it".

If you really want the facts, call or email Accurate Powders Technical Department.

If you check the target that I posted above, you will see a standard deviation of "6" fps. That's about as uniform as it gets - which would indicate very uniform pressures.

What a wounderful rifle. Truly a piece of art.

I have just come home from a visit at there factory yesterday. I had some adjustments to do on my own 500 NE. I was given the most fabulous tour of there factory and costum shop. There work is fanstastic. I was given the opportunity to shoot everything from 600 NE to 44mm riot guns. Great fun.
Shooting the 600 NE I found the recoil somewhat bigger than the 500 NE, I think the 600 NE is to heavy for me, but then I am not especially strong
Good Hunting
Carl Frederik

Hello Carl Frederik Nagell,

Thank you for the reply.

When you shot the 600 NE, did it have a "Palm Swell" on the grip of the stock?

One of the features that I really like about my rifle's stock is the "Palm Swell".

This feature goes a long way in reducing recoil. The Palm Swell fills your hand when you firmly grip the rifle, and actually pushes your hand rearward during recoil. This adds the weight of your hand, your wrist, your forearm, and even part of your upper arm, to the weight of the rifle during recoil. And ..... this added weight, reduces the recoil.

quote:

Originally posted by buckstix:
Hello Carl Frederik Nagell,

Thank you for the reply.

When you shot the 600 NE, did it have a "Palm Swell" on the grip of the stock?

One of the features that I really like about my rifle's stock is the "Palm Swell".

This feature goes a long way in reducing recoil. The Palm Swell fills your hand when you firmly grip the rifle, and actually pushes your hand rearward during recoil. This adds the weight of your hand, your wrist, your forearm, and even part of your upper arm, to the weight of the rifle during recoil. And ..... this added weight, reduces the recoil.

So much was going on that I did not notice - sorry. My own 500 NE has the palm swell and I like it.

Good Hunting

Carl Frederik

Hello Carl Frederik Nagell,

Thanks for the reply.

When you fired the 600 NE at the fctory, what type of ammumition did you use, and at what distance did you shoot?