Holland & Holland Royal .700 Nitro Express
Holland & Holland Ltd · Rifle · In Production · 1988
Also known as: .700 H&H Royal, Holland & Holland .700 Nitro Express
Overview
The Holland & Holland Royal .700 Nitro Express is a side-by-side sidelock double rifle built on the firm's flagship 'Royal' action and chambered for the immense .700 Nitro Express, one of the most powerful sporting cartridges in the world. Firing a 1,000-grain (65 g) bullet at roughly 2,000 f.p.s. for more than 12,000 joules of muzzle energy, the rifle weighs about 18 lb to tame its ferocious recoil and carries 26-inch regulated barrels, hand-detachable locks, automatic ejectors and lavish hand engraving. It was created in 1988 after American collectors William Feldstein and cartridge designer Jim Bell commissioned Holland & Holland to build the most powerful sporting rifle possible.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 8165 g (288.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 8295 g (292.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1092 mm (42.99") |
| Barrel Length | 660 mm (25.98") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Trigger |
| Magazine Capacity | 2 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 610 m/s (2001 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 12067 J (8900 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .700 Nitro Express · primary — also known as .700 NE, .700 H&H
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Break Action Double Barrel
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Tang Safety
- Features: Side By Side Barrels, Sidelock Action, Automatic Ejectors, Hand Detachable Locks, Express Sights, Hand Engraved, Deluxe Walnut Stock
Production
Production years: 1988-present
Fewer than two dozen completed; produced only to bespoke order. First prototype completed January 1990 and field-tested on elephant in Ethiopia in March 1990.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Jim Bell, William Feldstein
Notes
Each Royal .700 is a bespoke, hand-fitted best gun; only a small number have been completed since the first prototype in 1990. Original 1990 price was around $115,000, with later examples exceeding $400,000.
Background
The .700 was born when Beverly Hills businessman William Feldstein failed to buy a .600 Nitro Express double from Holland & Holland; told the .600 was out of production, he and ballistician Jim Bell challenged the firm to build something even bigger, and the .700 Nitro Express was the result.