Wanted 470 Ammunition

[Andrew Short]

I did a thing and need some ammo to test the new toy!

 

[K E Johnson]

.470 Nitro Express Ammo

In-stock best prices for 470 Nitro Express Ammo | Best 470 Nitro Express Ammunition - AmmoSeek.com

ammoseek.com

Here is what is on ammoseek, Congratulations!

 

[Andrew Short]

Thank you! I looked At ammoseek and the Barnes is unavailable.

 

[Woodcarver]

Rather expensive, but Nosler has 470NE in stock...

470 Nitro Express 500gr Solid Safari Ammunition

470 Nitro Express 500gr Solid Safari Ammunition

www.nosler.com

 

[Andrew Short]

Rather expensive, but Nosler has 470NE in stock...

470 Nitro Express 500gr Solid Safari Ammunition

470 Nitro Express 500gr Solid Safari Ammunition

www.nosler.com

No thanks. Already reviewed that.

 

[Lone Star Bluegrass]

No thanks. Already reviewed that.

Larry has it cheaper.

470 Nitro Express Ammo for Sale | MidwayUSA

Shop 470 Nitro Express at MidwayUSA! We carry a wide selection of 470 Nitro Express at the best prices!

www.midwayusa.com

 

[Stompbox]

I’ve got 3 boxes of Barnes solids, I can send you details when I’m home from grouse hunting Tuesday afternoon if you’re interested.

 

[Andrew Short]

I’ll send you a PM.

 

[Luvthunt]

What did you buy in rifles?

 

[Andrew Short]

What did you buy in rifles?

I purchased a Merkel 140 in 470 NE.

 

[Philip Glass]

I can see what I have. Now that I have the .450/400 I could part with some .470 ammo. Let's get in touch on this.

 

[Andrew Short]

I can see what I have. Now that I have the .450/400 I could part with some .470 ammo. Let's get in touch on this.

Awesome! I’ll send you a text

 

[rookhawk]

@Andrew Short have you called Merkel with your serial number to locate the build sheet yet? Finding out what factory load was used in your Merkel for regulation will save you hundreds of dollars in purchased ammo that won’t hit the broadside of the barn. I believe there is better than a 50% chance that it was loaded with Hornady Softs or Solids at the factory, maybe a 25% chance that it was Federal, and about a 5% chance it was Barnes, Wolfgang Romey, Hirtenberger, Nosler, Norma, Sako, Kynoch, RWS, or a custom load.

 

[Andrew Short]

@rookhawk I have not. I will reach out this week and attempt to find out the regulation load. At this point, all I know is it was built in 2009 and went to Africa in 2012.

Like I told Krish last night, I dont want to spend a ton of $$ on things I wont use.

 

[rookhawk]

@rookhawk I have not. I will reach out this week and attempt to find out the regulation load. At this point, all I know is it was built in 2009 and went to Africa in 2012.

Like I told Krish last night, I dont want to spend a ton of $$ on things I wont use.

I would start with a couple rounds of Hornady Dangerous Game eXpander 500gr factory rounds. (Hornady DGX). If that is mediocre but sorta acceptable, I would suspect it was regulated for the Hornady DGS (solid) version.

This based upon it being a Merkel model sold to the US market at a time when Hornady ammo was available and commonly used for regulation.

If that doesn’t work, your options are A.) Spend $1500 on every type of 470NE factory ammo, B.) Develop your own loads, C.) Send it to someone to build you loads, or D.) Have the regulation wedge braised after reset to a regulation ammo you specify, then reblue the barrels after that work is done. (Most expensive option…$2000)

 

[Andrew Short]

I would start with a couple rounds of Hornady Dangerous Game eXpander 500gr factory rounds. (Hornady DGX). If that is mediocre but sorta acceptable, I would suspect it was regulated for the Hornady DGS (solid) version.

This based upon it being a Merkel model sold to the US market at a time when Hornady ammo was available and commonly used for regulation.

If that doesn’t work, your options are A.) Spend $1500 on every type of 470NE factory ammo, B.) Develop your own loads, C.) Send it to someone to build you loads, or D.) Have the regulation wedge braised after reset to a regulation ammo you specify, then reblue the barrels after that work is done. (Most expensive option…$2000)

I would assume regulation was with Hornady as well. One caveat to that would be the gun was sold in Canada by Ellwoodepps but doubt that really had bearing on the regulation load.

I have access to brass, dies, and a lot of h4350. I have read your posts on IMR3031 as well. I believe that is Ken Owen’s preferred powder as well. Availability may be a limiting factor there.

 

[rookhawk]

I would assume regulation was with Hornady as well. One caveat to that would be the gun was sold in Canada by Ellwoodepps but doubt that really had bearing on the regulation load.

I have access to brass, dies, and a lot of h4350. I have read your posts on IMR3031 as well. I believe that is Ken Owen’s preferred powder as well. Availability may be a limiting factor there.

Common regulating powders for 470NE include: IMR3031, H4350, IMR4350, Reloader 15, and IMR4831.

If it were my gun, I‘d be trying the least expensive approach: Step 1: Verify its regulated for Hornady, Step 2: See if both DGX and DGS regulate well if the prior step is true. Step 3: Ask Ken Owen if he knows the hand-load recipes that duplicate a Merkel 470NE that is known to shoot the then proven good factory load so you can roll your own.

 

[Andrew Short]

I will reach out to Merkel tomorrow for that information. I’ll start with the Hornady solids from another member just to see.

I wont have the rifle in hand for several weeks.

 

[calling4life]

Contact Aria Ballistics, you can google them.

I just recently bought ammo from them, they don't have any 470 loads up on the site, but they may very well have them if you contact them, not only that, from my experience, they'll cook up loads how you want.

So if you want a max load you can discuss that, if you want middle of the road... and so on.

Anyways, they may be worth a shot, I noticed 470NE on the website as I was looking for my Lott.

 

[ftrovato]

I did a thing and need some ammo to test the new toy!

Good time to take up reloading. Get a starter kit (RCBS/Lyman/Hornady) and you'll pay for it in no time along with learning a great hobby!