470 Nitro Express Load Development

[Aussie_Hunter]

Loads I have worked up so far in my new to me Merkel 140AE chambered in 470NE. Today I managed to put both barrels into groups well under an inch, couldn't be happier that my double has turned out to be this accurate, photo below of a 0.7 inch group at 40m. My double certainly seems to like the higher velocities which surprises me a bit as it was regulated with Norma ammo which is only advertised at 2100fps. I hope some of you fellow 470NE double shooters find this interesting, I always do as you can just never seem to pick how a load turns out. Again as always be safe and work loads up slowly yourself.

All loads used 500 grain Woodleigh RNSN projectiles, Federal Gold Medal 215M Primers and Bertram brass and all loads tested while shooting sitting down off a set of shooting sticks at 40m.
Load 1
107 grains Alliant RL19, 1966fps, 4-5 inch groups.
Load 2
108 grains Alliant RL19, 2032fps, 3-4 inch groups.
Load 3
109 grains Alliant RL19, 2058fps, 1.4-1.8 inch groups.
Load 4
110 grains Alliant RL19, 2104fps, 1.3-1.5 inch groups.
Load 5
88 grains Alliant RL15, 1.3 grains of open cell foam filler, 2195fps, 2.1-3 inch groups.
Load 6
96 grains Alliant RL17, 0.8 grains of open cell foam filler, 2185fps, 0.5-0.7 inch groups.

 

[Spooksar]

My go to load is 87gr Reloader 15, 5gr of fill 500 gr Woodliegh, Hornady brass, Federal 215 primer. When I bought my Merkel it was regulated with Federal ammo with close to this basic load. At 50 yards it shoots 3/4 inch apart out of both barrels.

 

[CAustin]

Loads I have worked up so far in my new to me Merkel 140AE chambered in 470NE. Today I managed to put both barrels into groups well under an inch, couldn't be happier that my double has turned out to be this accurate, photo below of a 0.7 inch group at 40m. My double certainly seems to like the higher velocities which surprises me a bit as it was regulated with Norma ammo which is only advertised at 2100fps. I hope some of you fellow 470NE double shooters find this interesting, I always do as you can just never seem to pick how a load turns out. Again as always be safe and work loads up slowly yourself.

All loads used 500 grain Woodleigh RNSN projectiles, Federal Gold Medal 215M Primers and Bertram brass and all loads tested while shooting sitting down off a set of shooting sticks at 40m.
Load 1
107 grains Alliant RL19, 1966fps, 4-5 inch groups.
Load 2
108 grains Alliant RL19, 2032fps, 3-4 inch groups.
Load 3
109 grains Alliant RL19, 2058fps, 1.4-1.8 inch groups.
Load 4
110 grains Alliant RL19, 2104fps, 1.3-1.5 inch groups.
Load 5
88 grains Alliant RL15, 1.3 grains of open cell foam filler, 2195fps, 2.1-3 inch groups.
Load 6
96 grains Alliant RL17, 0.8 grains of open cell foam filler, 2185fps, 0.5-0.7 inch groups.

View attachment 403332

Looking good sir

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

My go to load is 87gr Reloader 15, 5gr of fill 500 gr Woodliegh, Hornady brass, Federal 215 primer. When I bought my Merkel it was regulated with Federal ammo with close to this basic load. At 50 yards it shoots 3/4 inch apart out of both barrels.

What velocity are you getting with this load?

 

[Spooksar]

What velocity are you getting with this load?

I believe 2090

 

[Ray B]

AH- Can you tell which shot was which? I'm wondering if they had crossed or were running virtually parallel.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

AH- Can you tell which shot was which? I'm wondering if they had crossed or were running virtually parallel.

No crosses, I was taking note of each shot before putting the next one down range.

 

[Ray B]

With the separation noted, those bullet's flight paths would have put them on target out several hundred yards.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

With the separation noted, those bullet's flight paths would have put them on target out several hundred yards.

Yep I was very surprised with the first group, thought I had flinched and got lucky so shot 2 more groups with the same results. Mind you the target from the factory is pretty damn good as well, only 3.5cm (1.3") apart at 50m.

 

[PaulT]

Snake eyes,
great result.

At 2200fps in a reasonably weighted double it should be a very manageable load too, great for that "double-Tap".

When loaded in a .458 Lott at 2280fps i found the 500gn RNSP to expand a little too quickly and penetration was limited when employed on back-up shots at 30yds, or less.
They flattened out like a pancake, but at a more modest speed they should do well.

Good shooting.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Snake eyes,
great result.

At 2200fps in a reasonably weighted double it should be a very manageable load too, great for that "double-Tap".

When loaded in a .458 Lott at 2280fps i found the 500gn RNSP to expand a little too quickly and penetration was limited when employed on back-up shots at 30yds, or less.
They flattened out like a pancake, but at a more modest speed they should do well.

Good shooting.

Yeah I'm using them in my Lott as well at 2230fps and I wouldn't say they are over expanding at this velocity but I definitely don't think I would run them at anymore than 2250fps. I agree with you, muzzle velocity of under 2200fps should provide good results.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Loads I have worked up so far in my new to me Merkel 140AE chambered in 470NE. Today I managed to put both barrels into groups well under an inch, couldn't be happier that my double has turned out to be this accurate, photo below of a 0.7 inch group at 40m. My double certainly seems to like the higher velocities which surprises me a bit as it was regulated with Norma ammo which is only advertised at 2100fps. I hope some of you fellow 470NE double shooters find this interesting, I always do as you can just never seem to pick how a load turns out. Again as always be safe and work loads up slowly yourself.

All loads used 500 grain Woodleigh RNSN projectiles, Federal Gold Medal 215M Primers and Bertram brass and all loads tested while shooting sitting down off a set of shooting sticks at 40m.
Load 1
107 grains Alliant RL19, 1966fps, 4-5 inch groups.
Load 2
108 grains Alliant RL19, 2032fps, 3-4 inch groups.
Load 3
109 grains Alliant RL19, 2058fps, 1.4-1.8 inch groups.
Load 4
110 grains Alliant RL19, 2104fps, 1.3-1.5 inch groups.
Load 5
88 grains Alliant RL15, 1.3 grains of open cell foam filler, 2195fps, 2.1-3 inch groups.
Load 6
96 grains Alliant RL17, 0.8 grains of open cell foam filler, 2185fps, 0.5-0.7 inch groups.

View attachment 403332

@Aussie hunter
Can't compĺain at that, you've got to love it when a plan comes together.
Bob

 

[machinistbutler]

Ah man that's wicked ! I have made some loads with IMR 4831 that I will start to test tomorrow.

The federal factory a frames load recoil wasn't too bad out of my Merkel . Hopefully the 4831 loads are somewhat similar.