New owner of 470 n.e.

I have been shooting my Chapuis 470 for the last couple weeks working on loads and consistency. I leave tomorrow for the Dark Continent and an appointment with a Cape buffalo.
Mine seems to digest almost everything I throw at it well. Both barrels stay inside of 3 1/2" at 50 yds with several different loads and bullets, if I do my part.
I have settled on 500gr TSX's pushed by 82.5 gr of Reloader 15.5 and a Trader Keith foam wad. Again, if I do my part, they will regulate at less than an inch with them often touching. Speed is right at 2075fps.
I am also taking a few CEB solids pushed by 83gr of 15.5 that groups close enough to give me no worries.
4831 and 4831SC shot very well too, with slightly more speed, but much more recoil due to the increased amount of powder.
Good luck and enjoy a fine rifle.

P.S. JJ Perodoux recommended 79gr of 3031 for a starting point as well.
And as always, start low and work your way up. What is safe for me, may not work for you.
80 grains IMR3031 sweet spou
 
Rare Breed, I believe 3/8 would be too small for a 470 NE. 3/8=0.375. I would think 1/2” would be appropriate.
Please correct me if I’m wrong. I use Trader Keith’s Kynoch foams. I believe they are the #2
 
Rare breed surely typo-ed.
5/8" diameter backer rod is good for .470 NE too.
1/2" is perfect in .458 caliber cartridges.
The caulk-backer rod has replaced Dacron fluff for me too.

109.0 grains of H4831 SC
F-215 primer
Federal nickel-plated brass case 470 NE
No filler

Way back when ...
In my Merkel .470 NE (23.6"/600mm barrels)
that load gave these velocities with both barrels impacting
right near the bullseye at 50 yards, within an inch all around the center and not crossing,
with the following bullets:

500-gr TBSS (Original Jack Carter): 2138 fps ave with 15 fps ES for four shots (RLRL)

500-gr Woodleigh Weldcore RNSN: 2153 fps ave with 22 fps ES for four shots (RLRL)

500-gr GSC FN monometal copper: 2116 fps ave with 34 fps ES for four shots (RLRL)

A fun load for plinking, accurate but crossing at 50 yards to about one inch on either side of the bullseye, elevation right on:

92.0 grains of RL-15
F-215
Norma brass case 470 NE
Foam wad filler

400-gr Hornady JHP (a .475 Linebaugh/480 Ruger handgun bullet): 2203 fps ave
26 fps ES for four shots (RLRL)

I dissected Federal factory loads
(TBSS and Woodleigh 500-grainers)
and found them to be using ~87 grains of a powder that looked like RL-15 and NO FILLER !!!

I was told through the grapevine that those cartridges were primed with "F-216" primers,
unavailable to handloaders,
way back when I was doing this stuff, in 2002,
hot off of my first African trip, to Botswana in 2001,
with the poor man's battery of .375 H&H and .416 Rigby bolt actions, which served very well.
 
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Excerpt for book review purposes:

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Book review: Excellent book.
 
Though the data from Graeme Wright is from five different rifles, not specified which is which except by barrel lengths,
it is well known that use of a foam filler wad will allow use of less powder to achieve same pressure/velocity and greater uniformity.

94.0 grains of H4350 with foam wad filler seems to be the champ
(highest MV, least recoil)
for getting 2110 fps in a 23.5" barrel
500-gr Woodleigh Weldcore RNSN
with BELL case and F-215 primer,
according to the table above.
2700 bar = about 39,150 psi
 
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IMG_1492.jpeg

Here I am loading 450 right now for my trip coming up. 1/2” backer rod on the left and 5/8 right. This is from Home Depot.

1/2” is is perfect for 450, ever so slightly loose for 470 but I still use it as my 5/8” is a bitch to get in 470. Need to maybe find a different brand as I would like it a smidge tighter for 470 but it’s been fine for over a 1000 rounds through my 470 the past 17 years.

3/8” goes in my 375 flanged and 400/360 Purdey.

1/2” for my 450/400’s, 450 and 470

5/8” for my 500’s and one 577. And also a friends 600 it fits great.

Been meaning to snag some 1/2 from Lowe’s to see if it would be a bit tighter in the 470.
 
The old rule of thumb was that Cordite charge weight = same weight of IMR-3031 used with a filler.
75 grains with 500-gr bullet for 470 NE, probably old school slow so work up to what gets you to bullseye.
I might try that same thing with HODGDON BENCHMARK.
For RL-15 charges I would substitute VARGET.
The 470 Mbogo of Dave Estergaard (.475/.416 Rigby Improved) has about identical case capacity as
the 470 NE.
It is a good bolt-action test bed for 470 NE loads, to save wear and tear on your DR.
So too a Ruger No. 1 in 470 NE.
 
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Rare Breed, I believe 3/8 would be too small for a 470 NE. 3/8=0.375. I would think 1/2” would be appropriate.
Please correct me if I’m wrong. I use Trader Keith’s Kynoch foams. I believe they are the #2
You are absolutely correct with #2 Trader Keith. I have not been able to buy any more from them. I still see their website up but can never get them
 

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