.600 Overkill
Encyclopedia
The .600 Overkill cartridge is a hunting
cartridge designed to fit the CZ-550
action, by American Hunting Rifles.
, Nevada, USA. The case is based on the .600 Nitro Express
, with a belt added for headspacing and the rim to fit that of the .505 Gibbs [.640 in (16.4 mm)] size bolt face.
This cartridge was intended to be the largest bullet
that was able to fit in the CZ-550
, and was designed specifically for the purpose of elephant hunting. The CZ-550
is able to fit 2 cartridges, with slight alterations. With solid brass bullets, the .600 overkill is able to penetrate 6 feet (1.8 m) into solid oak.
The .600 Overkill fires a 900 gr bullet at more than 2400 ft/s (731.5 m/s), At this level of power, as the bullet spins down the barrel, the rifle is torqued in the opposite direction, often twisting the rifle out of the shooter's hand. Recoil in standard-weight hunting rifles (10 lb (4.5 kg) or less) is far beyond what most shooters will tolerate. Traditional dangerous game hunting rifles typically weigh more, up to 14 lb (6.4 kg), and have less recoil.
and cape buffalo. Even in this context, many hunters prefer to use a smaller cartridge with more manageable recoil and reserve this super-caliber rifle as an emergency backup for a professional hunter to stop charging game.
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
cartridge designed to fit the CZ-550
CZ-550
The CZ-550 is a bolt-action hunting rifle series manufactured by Česká Zbrojovka Uherský Brod . The CZ 5005 series is available with a medium or magnum sized action...
action, by American Hunting Rifles.
Design
The .600 Overkill was designed by Robert Garnick of Las VegasLas Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, Nevada, USA. The case is based on the .600 Nitro Express
.600 Nitro Express
The .600 Nitro Express is a round in the Nitro Express series which was introduced in 1903. It is the second largest calibre in the Nitro Express line, exceeded only by Holland & Holland's .700 Nitro Express round.-Overview:...
, with a belt added for headspacing and the rim to fit that of the .505 Gibbs [.640 in (16.4 mm)] size bolt face.
This cartridge was intended to be the largest bullet
Bullet
A bullet is a projectile propelled by a firearm, sling, or air gun. Bullets do not normally contain explosives, but damage the intended target by impact and penetration...
that was able to fit in the CZ-550
CZ-550
The CZ-550 is a bolt-action hunting rifle series manufactured by Česká Zbrojovka Uherský Brod . The CZ 5005 series is available with a medium or magnum sized action...
, and was designed specifically for the purpose of elephant hunting. The CZ-550
CZ-550
The CZ-550 is a bolt-action hunting rifle series manufactured by Česká Zbrojovka Uherský Brod . The CZ 5005 series is available with a medium or magnum sized action...
is able to fit 2 cartridges, with slight alterations. With solid brass bullets, the .600 overkill is able to penetrate 6 feet (1.8 m) into solid oak.
The .600 Overkill fires a 900 gr bullet at more than 2400 ft/s (731.5 m/s), At this level of power, as the bullet spins down the barrel, the rifle is torqued in the opposite direction, often twisting the rifle out of the shooter's hand. Recoil in standard-weight hunting rifles (10 lb (4.5 kg) or less) is far beyond what most shooters will tolerate. Traditional dangerous game hunting rifles typically weigh more, up to 14 lb (6.4 kg), and have less recoil.
Hunting
A cartridge of this size and power is for hunting dangerous game such as ElephantElephant
Elephants are large land mammals in two extant genera of the family Elephantidae: Elephas and Loxodonta, with the third genus Mammuthus extinct...
and cape buffalo. Even in this context, many hunters prefer to use a smaller cartridge with more manageable recoil and reserve this super-caliber rifle as an emergency backup for a professional hunter to stop charging game.