Cartridge of the week

.600 NE

The .600 Nitro Express was the most powerful sporting cartridge available between 1900 and 1988. It was developed by WJ Jeffery and built by other makers, including Holland & Holland.

Though requiring a heavy rifle of between 15lb and 18lb, which would be too heavy for most men to carry for long periods of hunting, it proved popular with some African professional hunters as a ‘stopper’ at close quarters. Bror von Blixenfinecke and John Taylor owned and used Jeffery .600s.

The most practical loading for the cartridge was 100gr of cordite and a 900gr bullet, which travelled at 1,850fps. The .600 NE is cased in a slightly tapered, rimmed, brass, centrefire case, 3in in length. It is a rare thing, with perhaps only around 120 being made to date.