My understanding is that at the time, H&H had agreed not to produce any more .600s. They have since paid handsomely to get themselves out of it and continue making them. I believe the .700 has always suffered from a lack of penetration compared to the .577 because the diameter of the bullet is so large while the velocity is similar, which is why the .450s -.500s penetrate better. Of course penetration and shock are not the same thing though, so the .700 should deliver plenty of shock, but perhaps not in the correct place to knock out the elephant in question!