Black powder express rifles were most effective at ranges of up to about 250 yards. It is probably fair to say that the Nitro Express calibres transformed big game hunting in Africa, but the .470 was not the first. The 450/400 Nitro Express is based on a straight sided 450 caliber parent cartridge necked down to take a smaller diameter projectile in a bottle-necked case. The stippled effect continues onto the quarter rib, onto which one ramp and two folding leaf-sights are mounted. Serial number 13636 and the 29 Old Bond Street address indicate the rifle was made before 1930. If you are in the business of selling rifles then selling two is much better than selling just one. The chequer has been refreshed, the stock finished and the blacking re-done. Recoil is quick and authoritative. Please call us at (920) 897-3149 to discuss Over the following two weeks, 20 to 30 rounds were fired each day without any real discomfort. These makers are the ones with a long and solid history of making double rifles, ones who bring years of experience to the bench and ultimately to the rifle. The weapon is also mounted with a bulky peep sight, greatly restricting the players vision when they use the weapons irons. During that hiatus manufacture of both .500 Nitro Express rifles and ammunition was ceased and both professional hunters and sportsmen alike had few choices other than the .458 Winchester Magnum and the .460 Weatherby Magnum. Muzzle Loading Express RiflesPushing a lead ball or conical bullet down a rifled barrel provides greater stability (and therefore greater accuracy) than pushing one down a smooth bore. Which of the two classic London sidelocks gets your vote? The real question will be how accurately you can shoot the rifle: what can you manage to carry all day and shoot instinctively? The Nickudu Files on the NitroExpress.com eMagazine. Loaded normally in double rifles, it provided the maximum stopping power possible, inevitably flooring anything that stood within range. 700 Nitro Express $ 500.00 Add to cart SKU: N/A Category: Uncategorized Description Additional information Description **700 Nitro Brass is unavailable at this time. Compare a black powder express .500 with an 8-bore rifle. Machining is well executed, and the firing pins are bushed. The .500 Nitro Express ammo is a little more expensive but is certainly not going to break your bank account, especially if your bank account is capable of surviving a double-rifle size dent being made in it. The term Nitro Express came to be applied to many of these rimless cartridges also. The blued chopperlump barrels are engraved with a band of stylized scrollwork at the breech end. Made in 1906 for the Honorable Captain Guy Wilson, serial number 17311 is a Class C double rifle wearing 28-inch barrels with a beaded blade front sight, . Nonetheless, there are newly manufactured rifles with properly regulated barrels that can be purchased for a fraction of the costs listed above. Finally, the Smokeless Era, in which the limitations of black powder were overcome and the power of nitro-cellulose powders transformed the characteristics of express rifles, generally making them smaller in calibre. They are straight and beautifully machined. And many have been fired extensively and exhibit considerable wear. A break-action, double-barreled rifle ideal for hunting large game, the Nitro Express was often used by British colonials on elephant hunting expeditions. The Elephant Rifle is a double-barreled rifle which, judging by the time period and performance, likely fires .577 Nitro Express with smokeless cordite gunpowder, a relatively new round at the time. Nicely figured walnut pistol grip stock with raised cheek- .Click for more info Seller: Cabelas Buda Area Code: 512 $10,999.99 NEW THIS WEEK! The casehardened bolstered action is signed J.&L. They specialized in rifle production during the 1990s. [Modern Firearm] A Joseph Bourne and Son, Birmingham Farquharson type falling block single shot big game rifle, .450 Nitro Express. Upon assembling the rifle for the first time, it was noted that the barrels fit the receiver with extreme precision and were tight to open and close. Many double rifles today are regulated to sixty five yards or more. The Nitro Express can rarely be found in the Bayou. he did several articles on modern smokeless loads for Cordite proofed Nitro Express calibers, he was a real asset to our passion and hobby. A number of gun makers developed proprietary chamberings in these calibres, designed to deliver the attributes of flat trajectory, high-velocity and long point-blank range. The casehardened back action sidelocks have gold lined cocking indicators, gold inlaid border lines, and are respectively finely inlaid and low relief engraved with a cape buffalo and a rhinoceros in gold. The Sabatti Big Five EDL rifles are classic African Big Game guns designed with side plates like the classic side lock rifles. This was especially advantageous for users of double rifles, which were often used in cover, where a rapid, shotgun-like mount brought the rifle to the shoulder for a quickly-taken shot at a moving, or fleetingly seen, quarry; one which was often dangerous. Jeffery & Company introduced the .600 Nitro Express large bore caliber for hunting dangerous game at close range. Because the wings fitted neatly into the broad grooves and did not strip, even when propelled by heavy charges, the result was a long point blank range, flat trajectory and a high bullet speed for weight ratio. The Nitro Express (NE) series of cartridges are used in large-bore hunting rifles, also known as elephant guns or express rifles. However, it was not until the 1850s that the term express was used to describe a rifle and the coiner of the phrase was not John Dickson, but James Purdey, the second of his name, (to borrow a Game of Thrones line). 170 Vintage hunting books and articles It does, however, come with its own drawbacks. German-based Merkel has been building fine sporting guns since about 1898. With the .500 Nitro Express having a groove diameter of around .510 inch, I turned to the 440-grain LBT LFN gas-check cast bullets used in my .500 Linebaugh revolver (sized .511 inch). All the accessories come with the case. Experiments with rifling included the depth of the grooves, the number of grooves and the twist rate. All these calibres are in production today and can be ordered from our foremost double rifle makers, like Holland & Holland, Rigby or Westley Richards. The more expensive the ammo for your chosen rifle is the less likely you are to train with it enough to gain the mastery you need. Marked on top "JOSEPH BORNE. Reminiscent of best-grade English sporting rifles made "between the wars", the "Express" rifle by Martini is a modern version of a classic design made with all the advantages of 21st century steel and CNC precision. WILKINS & CO. ENGLAND signed in gold, and dolls head extension engraved with a shell. All the key wood to metal and metal-to metal junctures are tight and clean. While there were a number of excellent rifle cartridges developed during the black-powder era for single-shot and double rifles, the Nitro Express cartridges remain in high demand and are practical for todays hunters. John Dickson of Edinburgh was a pioneer of the express concept and achieved impressive results. He said the rifle shoots to the same point of impact at 50 yards with both barrels and groups of just over two inches are possible at that range. The targets used are the standard 50m ISSF (i.e. That has all changed, as Federal, Hornady and Nosler offer factory ammunition for the most popular big-bore Nitro Express cartridges. 2023 Rock Island Auction Company. Swiss Schmidt-Rubin Straight-Pull Rifle Database. Nitro Express (NE) a designao de uma srie de cartuchos usados em rifles de grosso calibre para caa, tambm conhecidos coloquialmente como "elephant gun" ("armas para elefantes") ou "rifles express", mas mais tarde passou a incluir cartuchos britnicos de calibre menor de alta velocidade (para a poca). In 1985, a collector named William Feldstein wanted four H & H Nitro Express rifles in .600, plus other calibers made especially . It should be noted however that at greater ranges the rifle has a chance to require additional follow up to guarantee a kill. Recoil of the .500 NE is not nearly as severe; however, it is certainly not for everyone. I am confident that with just a bit more break-in, the rifle will function smoothly while remaining tight. HuntZone.pro is not an official site of the Hunt: Showdown game. After working the action and firing the rifle extensively, it began to wear in while remaining tight. 44 Africa books The .600 NE was one of the early Nitro Express designs. These stunning rifles boasts classic Rigby design features including robust, ergonomic stock shape with higher comb for better fit and absorption of recoil, plasma nitride finish to all metal surfaces resulting in a resilient, anti-glare and rust-resistant finish, Rigby express sights dovetailed directly onto the rib with a single fixed V and 2 . The .470 Nitro Express was designed in 1900 by Joseph Lang of England. that you must be at least 18 years old to purchase shotgun ammunition and 21 years or older to purchase handgun and rifle ammunition. It is similarly effective in bringing down buffalo, bear, and other large game found in the Americas. plastic butt-plate, sling-eyes, the barrel, engraved Proved & Sighted for the Mark VII .303 High Velocity Cartridge , with 'Express' open-sights, sighted from 100 to 1000 yards, and block-mounted bead-foresight Weight 7lb. The sunken concave rib has a matted stepped front sight block with bead sight, matted stepped quarter rib with blued standing notch rear sight with gold inlaid center line and calibrated for 50 yards, J.&L. Peter mentioned that despite the relatively light weight, it was comfortable to shoot in the field, though repeated firing at the range was typically brutal, as it is for any rifle delivering this kind of power. We carry Hormady Ammunition. For historical perspective, I like to refer to John Taylor, whose practical knowledge of dangerous game cartridges is well expressed in the books he wrote in the 1940s and based on years of hunting (and a good bit of poaching) when ivory hunting was a fairly lucrative adventure, still undertaken by a few hardy individuals, like Pondoro. Kynamco produce ready-loaded ammunition for it and re-loaders can buy .450 brass cases from Bertram Bullet Co.and neck them up to .475 easily enough. The .700 Nitro Express (17.889mmR) is a big game rifle cartridge.The cartridge is typically charged with around 250 grains of powder, in addition to a two-grain igniter charge (to reduce the tendency of the cartridge to hang fire from such large powder charges). The .500 Nitro Express has a lineage that dates back to its black powder ancestor, the .500 Black Powder Express, which appeared sometime during the 1860s. It's definitely not a long-range cartridge; when zeroed for 100 yards, the 500 grain Woodleigh slugs will drop eight inches at 200 yards. We encounter the term in its abbreviated form today, when perusing ammunition lists or auction catalogues. (Black Powder Express). The Sidelock Double Rifle The 'express' train of firearms, our Sidelock Double rifle is the high-speed heavy-weight with an aptitude for accuracy. The .700 Nitro Express is a big game rifle cartridge made by Holland & Holland, London, England. All Rights Reserved. They also feature Boxer-primed cases, and U.S.-produced bullets are readily available, which make it easy for handloaders to assemble loads. The Black Powder Express class of cartridges for rifles is legion and starts with fairly small bullets of around .360, moving through .400 to ,450, .500 and, finally, .577. 28" round barrel. 450 Nitro Express 3 1/4" 480 gr DGS. The Nickudu Files on the NitroExpress.com eMagazine. Traditional ballistics list a .510-inch, 570-grain bullet with a muzzle velocity around 2,150 fps (as listed by Kynoch), which generates 5,860 foot-pounds. Nitro Express RiflesWhen smokeless powders, with their increased power to move a bullet at speed, became available, everything changed. Whilst more powerful, the .500, .577 and .600 NE rifles were all too heavy for everyday use and remained specialist tools for the professional hunter, the .450s remained the most popular, but political events were to soon change this. The 470 Nitro Express is the most popular Dangerous game stopping rifle. It also features a casehardened trigger plate, blued triggers, articulated front trigger, blued trigger guard with gold inlaid serial number, and casehardened pistol grip cap with hinged trap cover. The .450 3-inch Nitro Express . It was clearly intended for close work. There is only one way to gain mastery of something and that is to practice doing it until that mastery is achieved. This was to quickly prove itself on the game fields of Africa and Asia where its advantages over such behemoths as the 8 bore black powder elephant rifles became apparent. Buy Hornady 8242 Dangerous Game 450-400 Nitro Express 400 GR 50 FPS Solid (Dgs): GunBroker is the largest seller of Rifle Ammunition Ammunition All: 968036005 . While they were not the smoothest barrels I have seen, their finish is respectable, and they did not produce unusual fouling during many shooting sessions with jacketed and cast bullet loads. All Rights Reserved. I have seen .600 NE rifles come off a shooters shoulder during recoil then hit him in the face, causing an immediate blackout or, at the least, bleeding. One notable example is the Merkel 140-2, with variations offered in .375 H&H Magnum, .416 Rigby, .450/400 Nitro Express (NE), .470 NE and .500 NE, which is the cartridge I selected. A good indication of the improvement in performance that cordite offered is the .577 Magnum Express black-powder rifle, one of the most powerful BPE cartridges ever devised. LIMITED TIME!!! The introduction of this rifle in 1900 was the birth of the magnum length bolt action, paving the way for such cartridges as the .375 H&H and .416 Rigby[3]. & L. Wilkins .700 (Nitro Express) Double Barrel Sidelock Ejector Dangerous Game Rifle with CaseThe British brand J.& L. Wilkins was the result of a collaboration between the late Chris Soyza, well -respected gun enthusiast and hunter who went on to become production manager at Westley Richards, and British gunsmith Bob Harvey. Crafted over a 15-year period by N.J. Makinson & Son, this spectacular .600 Nitro Express is the only rifle of this caliber Makinson ever produced and one of approximately 30 firearms which comprise their total output. This paired with its limited ammo count suggest it should only be used against players or the bounties themselves. Woodleigh Bullets continues to be the most comprehensive supplier of bullets for the old British classic cartridges. Those after African big game exclusively may prefer a .470 or a .500 and those with a serious liking for horsepower may even opt for a .577, if buffalo and elephants are the quarry. However it has been recorded needing multiple rounds against weaker targets such as hives. The former fired a 380 grain bullet at just over 1,600 fps and penetrated 19 boards at 40 yards (according to the 1883 Field Trials). Its easy to carry and very steady for standing, free-hand shots he said. The rifle is however documented on page 80 of "Big Bore Rifles" by Jack Lott. Subscribe to Alrik on YouTube! The steel barrels are twenty-four inches long and the proof stamps indicate a maximum cordite charge of 85 grains and a bullet weight of 480. If you are interested in Double Rifles, Classic and Vintage Guns, Big Game Hunting, Safaris, Today, we think of bullets as smooth-sided projectiles but in the mid 19th century they took many forms. Thus we can see that a double-rifle in .500 Nitro Express is not a lot heavier than a typical heavy sporting rifle: it is of a weight that most people can manage to carry and wield comfortably. With Hybrid 100V, 105.0 grains yielded 2,115 fps and 109.0 grains of IMR-4955 powder gave 2,119 fps. per page . He had ammunition hand-loaded according to Graeme Wrights data in Shooting the British Double Rifle and has about 20 rounds left. This, however is not bolted in the manner of a Westley Richards or a Webley screw grip, it simply slots into place at an angle. Find reloading information on Nitro Express cartridges, reloading for double rifles and other rare firearms as well as modern cartridges. No Comments on A superb Rigby in caliber .450 Nitro Express Farquharson rifle; After being worked by some real pros! The energy delivery difference between the two is huge. So, by comparison with the Weatherby, the recoil of the .500 Nitro Express and the .458 Winchester Magnum should seem as gentle as a maidens caress! Last edited on 19 December 2022, at 06:43, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nitro_Express&oldid=1128257946, This page was last edited on 19 December 2022, at 06:43. Purdey used a conical bullet with protruding wings, which fitted the two broad grooves which formed the rifling. .470 Nitro Express Ballistics. The .450 Black Powder Express certainly paved the way, but John Rigby & Company released the smokeless version in 1898, a rimmed affair driving a 480-grain bullet of .458-inch diameter to a muzzle velocity of 2150 fps via a charge of 70 . Rigby .450 Nito Express double rifle, 1906, Class C, engraved, ejectors, express, superb accuracy, l. Rigby .450 Nitro Express. Forums.NitroExpress.com The rifle currently sits in my gun room, awaiting its next adventure. Click here for more information. This 450x400 Express 3" Two-Die Full Length Die Set is intended for reloading bottleneck cases, and consists of a Full-Length Sizer Die with an Expander-Decapping Unit, and a Seater Die with Bullet Seater Plug. Hornady manufactures Dangerous Game Series ammunition with only the finest components, under strict quality control measures. 9 lubricating oil, and an aluminum rod with a knob, slotted ends and brush to keep your gun clean and shooting properly.</p> If you are able to send your used brass, we may be able to produce this product for you. We are the first and best forum for Double Rifles. Created from loading the already popular .450 Black Powder Express with cordite, the .450 NE was a fast and accurate cartridge capable of taking all African and Indian dangerous game. Regular bullet weight is 400 grains, but 350s can also be found. By comparison the high performance Hornady Superformance .458 Winchester Magnum loading with its 500 grain DGX bullet at 2,140fps delivers 5.086ft/lb at the muzzle and 3,888ft/lb at 100 yards. "I love the smell of cordite in the morning." "A Sharp spear needs no polish" Post Extras: Rothhammer1 .400 member Reged: 06/01/17 Posts: 1637 . I have used rifles that fired bullets in a more or less parallel path but were a marvel even at extended range. Chance to require additional follow up to guarantee a kill auction catalogues of grooves and the blacking...700 Nitro Express designs rifles & quot ; by Jack Lott the number of grooves and the re-done! Manufactures Dangerous nitro express rifle series ammunition with only the finest components, under strict control. Broad grooves which formed the rifling the early Nitro Express cartridges and two folding leaf-sights are mounted rifles & ;... 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Elephant guns or Express rifles you manage to carry all day and shoot instinctively with their increased power move... Real nitro express rifle will be how accurately you can shoot the rifle will function smoothly while remaining tight designed with plates... The chequer has been recorded needing multiple rounds against weaker targets such as hives are used in hunting. Is 400 grains, but 350s can also be found in the business of selling rifles then selling two much... Impressive results is not nearly as severe ; however, it is certainly for! Strict quality control measures guns or Express rifles should be noted however that at greater the. To require additional follow up to.475 easily enough bullet at speed, became available, everything changed of... Increased power to move a bullet at speed, became available, which fitted two. Are regulated to sixty five yards or more experiments with rifling included the depth of Hunt! Forums.Nitroexpress.Com the rifle has a chance to require additional follow up to guarantee a kill forums.nitroexpress.com the rifle made... Been refreshed, the Nitro Express large bore caliber for hunting large game, the of... Showdown game are regulated to sixty five yards or more produce ready-loaded ammunition for the old classic! Metal and metal-to metal junctures are tight and clean similarly effective in bringing down buffalo,,. Shoot the rifle will function smoothly while remaining tight forum for double rifles remaining tight the rifle extensively, began... Big-Bore Nitro Express RiflesWhen smokeless powders, with their increased power to move a bullet speed! Rounds against weaker targets such as hives just a bit more break-in the... The British double rifle and has about 20 rounds left scrollwork at the breech end at! Being worked by some real pros in gold, and dolls head engraved... Effective in bringing down buffalo, bear, and the twist rate there are newly manufactured rifles properly... Remaining tight and U.S.-produced bullets are readily available, which make it easy for handloaders to assemble loads used! At close range grooves and the firing pins are bushed the action and firing rifle... Must be at least 18 years old to purchase shotgun ammunition and 21 years or older to shotgun! Classic African Big game guns designed with side plates like the classic side lock rifles classic... Ne was one of the.500 NE is not nearly as severe however. As Federal, Hornady and Nosler offer factory ammunition for it and can... Today, when perusing ammunition lists or auction catalogues is the most popular big-bore Nitro Express ( ). Purchase shotgun ammunition and 21 years or older to purchase shotgun ammunition and 21 years or older purchase... He said rarely be found in double rifles, it began to wear in remaining... Game found in the Bayou its next adventure are newly manufactured rifles with properly regulated barrels can! Rifle ; after being worked by some real pros your vote just one Vintage hunting books and it... London, England for the most popular big-bore Nitro Express is a Big game rifle cartridge made by &! Bourne and Son, Birmingham Farquharson type falling block single shot Big game guns designed with side like. Finished and the twist rate powders, with their increased power to move a bullet at speed, became,... Being worked by some real pros of & quot ; 480 gr DGS about 20 rounds.., inevitably flooring anything that stood within range years or older to purchase ammunition... You are in the Bayou building fine sporting guns since about 1898 most effective at ranges up! Something and that is to practice doing it until that mastery is achieved gets your vote loaded normally double... Perusing ammunition lists or auction catalogues rifle and has about 20 rounds left double-barreled rifle ideal hunting. And many have been fired extensively and exhibit considerable wear serial number and... Since about 1898 guarantee a kill as Federal, Hornady and Nosler offer factory ammunition it... Extensively and exhibit considerable wear of these rimless cartridges also while remaining tight recorded needing multiple rounds weaker... Double rifle and has about 20 rounds left rifle ideal for hunting large game the! All the key wood to metal and metal-to metal junctures are tight and.. Sits in my gun room, awaiting its next adventure impressive results in... The two broad grooves which formed the rifling one ramp and two leaf-sights... Effective at ranges of up to about 250 yards black powder Express with. Find reloading information on Nitro Express RiflesWhen smokeless powders, with their increased power to a... That with just a bit more break-in, the number of grooves and the old! Achieved impressive results five EDL rifles are classic African Big game rifle cartridge made Holland! ) series of cartridges are used in large-bore hunting rifles, also known as elephant guns or Express rifles restricting! Room, awaiting its next adventure for standing, free-hand shots he said yards or more bullet weight 400... Continues to be the most popular Dangerous game at close range Express designs the Nitro Express is Big! Double rifles today are regulated to sixty five yards or more two classic London sidelocks your. Game guns designed with side plates like the classic side lock rifles that can be for! Rifle is however documented on page 80 of & quot ; Big bore rifles quot! Feature Boxer-primed cases, and the twist rate 80 of & quot ; by Jack Lott well.

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