Whole New Can of Worms

IMR4831 is considered one of the best powders for this cartridge as I recall (I have family that have lived in Africa since 1946 and hunted there extensively).
I worked up a "mild load" with the 400g XTP bullet using Hornady's recommended COL of 3.605"
100% fill for this powder is about 105gr to 106gr which would be considered a "fairly stout load", LOL (Pmax ~34,000 psi)
Here is a screenshot of the QuickLOAD calculation:

470NE-100gIMR4831-400gHornadyXTP_zpscn7j2lcx.png~original
 
c-fbmi said:
I'm going to open one up here just because I'm bored and I want to shoot my double 470 NE more. I have managed to acquire some 400 and some 325 gn bullets in.475 jacketed. Of course there is absolutely no data anywhere for reduced loads in the 470 NE and even the 45-120 3 1/4" doesn't show any bullets lighter than 500 gn and they are lead. I don't really care if it regulates real well but I will see if it will at a given load, maybe around the same velocity as the 500s. Recoil isn't really the issue, it's the 2 bucks a pop Woodleigh bullets and 110 grs of powder that bites.

Anyway I was flipping through loading manuals and low and behold there were some reduced loads for the 460 Wby with 400 grns down between 1800-2100 fps using H4198 which I just happen to have. So I thought the case capacity is close so I checked my 378 Wby case with the 470 NE and the 470 actually holds a touch more than the 378/460 Wby case.

Not having much experience with reduced loads I'm guessing that given similar case capacities and bullet weights that these 460 reduced loads should work just fine in my 470 NE. Should I use a filler like Dacron or cotton balls is my only question I guess at this point? The 4198 load would about 1/2 fill the case, so there will be significant air without a filler, does it matter?
Click to expand...

What bullets are you using? I have a more vested interest in this topic than usual!

I thought Hornady had data in their manual for the 470 NE using 325gr .475" XTPs. I'll double check when I get home but I can't imagine that I have a manual that you don't.

I think you'll definitely want Dacron. In a case that big with that much air space you're taking a big chance without it.

back40sniper said:
You have a pm inbound Doug, I use lots of TB in my 450/400 and 416 Rigby with no problems but don't know about the 470. Lots of info on WWW.Nitroexpress.com .
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A 416? When did you come over to the Dark Side?
 
400gr @ 2273 fps. At 100grs of powder per shot a pound of powder doesn't go very far. An article in the 14th edition of Handloader's Digest (Twenty Years with a Double 470 by Ray Ordorica) a reduced kick load is listed as a 400gr Ballard LT bullet at 1975 fps MV.

In my 458 Lott I think a mild load is ~1500 fps MV.
 
RE: K-C's posts -

From the Hornady Handbook (7th edition, p.672)..."Warning: The loads recommended in this section should not be reduced (460 WM). Reducing loads in a large capacity cartridge (i.e. 470 NE) can lead to dangerous hangfires..." :eek:
 
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You can always use a filler but that shouldn't be necessary unless load density falls below about 80%.
The 1750 fps load above is ~82.8% fill.
You can fill the powder to bullet void with a piece of Styrofoam "peanut" or similar compressible filler (Dacron etc.)
There are also commercial ballistic fillers available. For example: Puff-Lon lubricating ballistic filler
http://www.pufflon.com/newfront.html
 
Well it's all good information, but all the empties I have are now loaded with 4198 and Dacron behind a 400 XTP.........so I guess we'll see.

Hey BUM........what make of cases are you using? I have Jameson and Norma and the Jameson weigh 40 grns more than the Norma..........and are noticeably heavier to work in the dies. I also have 1/2 doz case heads for ya, I'll get them out this week.........I also have the latest Hornady manuals and although they do show the bullets in question loaded in the 480 Ruger they don't show them in the .470 NE.........I thought they might, but no joy.........
 
K-C said:
You can always use a filler but that shouldn't be necessary unless load density falls below about 80%.
The 1750 fps load above is ~82.8% fill.
You can fill the powder to bullet void with a piece of Styrofoam "peanut" or similar compressible filler (Dacron etc.)
There are also commercial ballistic fillers available. For example: Puff-Lon lubricating ballistic filler
http://www.pufflon.com/newfront.html
Click to expand...

Lee has tables for powder throwers (not super accurate as your Lee thrower will show, but still usefull) with volumetric conversions by weight. It's good fun to investigate a possible powder's load vs. case capacity. Keep in mind the properties of the powder you use though as some powders are more conducive to downloading. If that's iffy at all, play with fillers or pick a different powder.

Sittin' on the sidelines during a snow day...

EDIT/ADD ON:
Some loads may be "safe" to use, but not published because of erratic results in accuracy (Thank you Ganderite)
 
c-fbmi said:
Well it's all good information, but all the empties I have are now loaded with 4198 and Dacron behind a 400 XTP.........so I guess we'll see.

Hey BUM........what make of cases are you using? I have Jameson and Norma and the Jameson weigh 40 grns more than the Norma..........and are noticeably heavier to work in the dies. I also have 1/2 doz case heads for ya, I'll get them out this week.........I also have the latest Hornady manuals and although they do show the bullets in question loaded in the 480 Ruger they don't show them in the .470 NE.........I thought they might, but no joy.........
Click to expand...

I'm using Jamison as well. I've only got 10 Norma brass from a box of factory ammo that I just had to have to get the rifle shooting and I've never tried reloading them.
 
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