577 NE double rifles

[matt85]

While I would prefer a 577 NE 3", it's likely I will never be able to own one. So, a 577 NE 2 3/4" would certainly be an acceptable substitute if I could actually afford it. I have even entertained the idea of a 577 BPE, although I would really prefer the NE cartridge.

 

[SStomcat]

While I would prefer a 577 NE 3", it's likely I will never be able to own one. So, a 577 NE 2 3/4" would certainly be an acceptable substitute if I could actually afford it.

Curious, why ?Are components available specially brass?

 

[matt85]

Curious, why ?Are components available specially brass?

Outside of Australia, all of it is special order.

 

[PCC600]

T

Some time back, I saw a .600 NE for sale. It was a British rifle, roughly 13 lbs, with 26-inch chopper lump barrels, and it was a nice rifle indeed.

When I handled it and put it to my shoulder to aim, I heard my inner voice say, “Dude, you need to carry this thing all day, every day, in the bush… think about it.”

The answer was obvious.

Of course, you can always have a gun bearer. But to me, this is about passion and nostalgia. There is simply something special about hunting buffalo, elephant, or hippo with one of these classic rifles. That experience is worth more than practicality alone.

That is a very light 600NE double rifle . Would not be fun to shoot .

 

[SStomcat]

T

That is a very light 600NE double rifle . Would not be fun to shoot .

And fun to carry

 

[matt85]

I have had the privilege to handle and shoot a 600 NE. The gun was awesome... but not for me. Much like the 4-bore, it hits a point where it is either too heavy OR it's no fun to shoot.

I personally draw the line at 577 NE 3" for nitro cartridges and 8-bore for black powder cartridges. These guns can be heavy enough to be fun to shoot without being so heavy as to be unwieldly (though the 8-bore is really pushing my weight limit).

 

[Pondoro]

I love the .600.. I have shot two..one at 13,2 lbs..recoil like being run over by a train and barrels pointing ca. 70 degrees each shot. Useless..

But then I shot a Holland & Holland Royal at 16,2 lbs..perfectly balanced, it was a joy to shoot..

The latter I would love to have hunted elephant with, regulated for the 110 grain cordite load and 26" barrels..
Kynamco ammo cronoed at 1910 fps in that rifle..

 

[Fixfire]

This one has been on Comsignment for a year here in Canada. No clue if its a good deal as thats half of what I bought my house for. But a nice looking double at the very least

Consign - Butch Searcy & Co. - 577NE - Dangerous Game Double Rifle - dark straight grain walnut stock w/shadowline cheekpiece/matte stainless boxlock receiver/Blued Finish, 24-1/8"Barrels - see description for more details

Prophet River Firearms

store.prophetriver.com

Searcy’s get a bad rap - not for the rifle, but the man.

 

[50Gunner]

What a timely thread, a guy has been trying to sell me a 460 WBY magnum on a giant double square bridge magnum Mauser action, I was really considering the purchase, also knowing I would NOT machine those double bridges for any kind of scope mount, it was to be a close range iron Express sight heavy game basher.

Just last night I went to the big safe and had a look around, man I already have a monster bore heavy game iron sighted rifle, the great 577 Nitro Express double, mine is not a fine British rifle, only a very stoutly built V/C boxlock with 26" barrels, it has a full standing rib the entire length of the barrels up top, triple hooks, I will never shoot it loose.

I revisited the rifle all last evening, it sits across my lap right now as I type, yes it weighs 13.5 lbs, it was also carried over 100 miles back in 2020 on the M'barangandu game preserve, dry ground Hippo and an old Dugga boy were both taken with one 750gr TSX at 18 and 21 yards.

The 577 Nitro's rich African history originally drew me to the rifle, in my case I need to slow down and pay attention, the rifle I thought I wanted was sitting right under my nose all the time, it is a Grand round, hope you find that special rifle for yourself someday soon.

 

[SStomcat]

But then I shot a Holland & Holland Royal at 16,2 lbs..perfectly balanced, it was a joy to shoot..

The latter I would love to have hunted elephant with, regulated for the 110 grain cordite load and 26" barrels..
Kynamco ammo cronoed at 1910 fps in that rifle..

Did it come with a gun bearer ?I'm just kidding

These rifles used during the hey day of elephant hunting, or ivory trade in Africa, and in Shikar's in India, had dedicated hunting party to hold and take care of all your hunting equipments.

 

[vette447]

Westley Richards 577 3” (100/750) Droplock completed in 1913. It was ordered and owned By Admiral Julian Baker (Samual Baker’s nephew and hunting partner). Then it was re-sold by Westley Richards to the Maharaja of Patiala in 1921.

 

[Uintaelkhunter]

Just received my Heym 89b 577 nitro a month ago now and in the process of working it in and getting some rounds do the pipes. I’m hoping to get it on a big jumbo hunt in 27 or 28 if I can. A true classic double rifle round

 

[SStomcat]

Searcy’s get a bad rap - not for the rifle, but the man.

at ~11.5 pounds it may be fun to carry not to shoot...I'm not buying it, plus aftermarket service, should anything be needed, could be an issue with Bruce retiring.

 

[SStomcat]

Westley Richards 577 3” (100/750) Droplock completed in 1913. It was ordered and owned By Admiral Julian Baker (Samual Baker’s nephew and hunting partner). Then it was re-sold by Westley Richards to the Maharaja of Patiala in 1921

Holy moly, that is some gun.

 

[matt85]

at ~11.5 pounds it may be fun to carry not to shoot...I'm not buying it, plus aftermarket service should anything be needed could be an issue with bruce retiring.

I wouldnt shoot that Searcy 577 with someone elses shoulder let alone my own!

 

[GeorgeGibbs505]

Here’s my Hollis 577. Once owned by Tony Sanchez Arino. Full 100gr Cordite 750 gr bullet. Also a picture of my 46 3/8” Buffalo. And 2 shots 1L 1 R purely luck at 100 meters offhand was trying a different charge, 1 1/4”on the white steel plate. And 4 shots offhand at 40 meters.

 

[PCC600]

I love the .600.. I have shot two..one at 13,2 lbs..recoil like being run over by a train and barrels pointing ca. 70 degrees each shot. Useless..

But then I shot a Holland & Holland Royal at 16,2 lbs..perfectly balanced, it was a joy to shoot..

The latter I would love to have hunted elephant with, regulated for the 110 grain cordite load and 26" barrels..
Kynamco ammo cronoed at 1910 fps in that rifle..

The 600NE regulated for 110grains (1950fps) or even 120grains (2050fps) of cordite were good rifles . The problem is most of the preWW2 rifles were regulated with only 100grains ( sub 1850fps) . They were the rifles / cartridges with penetration issues . How could a 600 shooting a 900gr with 100gr of cordite possibly outperform a 577NE shooting a 750gr builet with 100gr of cordite ? A proper modern 600 needs to weigh 15 or 16 pounds and be regulated for the more powerful rounds . I don’t see any problem paying a guy to carry it and the ammo . I’d have a carry rifle eg 404 just in case . All the old timers did this anyway . For what it is worth my 600NE only weighs 13.5 pounds . It is too light when firing bullets at 2000fps .

 

[SStomcat]

Here’s my Hollis 577. Once owned by Tony Sanchez Arino. Full 100gr Cordite 750 gr bullet. Also a picture of my 46 3/8” Buffalo. And 2 shots 1L 1 R purely luck at 100 meters offhand was trying a different charge, 1 1/4”on the white steel plate. And 4 shots offhand at 40 meters. View attachment 792880View attachment 792883View attachment 792885View attachment 792886View attachment 792887View attachment 792888

Nice rifle how much does it weigh?

 

[GeorgeGibbs505]

14lbs 3-4oz

 

[matt85]

14lbs 3-4oz

From what ive seen, most of the older 577's weighed 14-15lb. This is the correct weight for a 577. George that is a fantastic looking and shooting gun!

The one 600 NE ive handled and fired belonged to Cal Pappas. Im unsure of how much it weighed or what its regulating load was, but it was miserable to shoot. After firing a single shot, I decided that I prefered his 8-bore paradox gun and played with that until the ammunition ran out. I loved that 8-bore so much that I swore I would get one some day!