20 September 2004, 02:57
CharlieNYReloading 470 Nitro Express
A friend of mine has just purchased a Blaser double rifle in 470 Nitro Express. He has ordered some factory ammo but has asked me if I'm willing to do some reloading for the 470. Reloads would be for informal shooting, not hunting.
I've reloaded everything from the 218 Bee to the 460Wby but never ventured beyond that. Even the 460 dies barely fit in my Rockchucker press. Die walls were VERY thin and one of them split. I assume that my regular reloading equiptment would be to small to accomodate the 470.
What would I need to get started?
20 September 2004, 04:15
ricciardelliAn RCBS Big Max, if you can find one. Or even the new Rock Chucker Supreme.
20 September 2004, 06:36
jeffeossochucker supreme..
will handle just about anything
jeffe
20 September 2004, 10:46
AtkinsonI prefer the RCBS single stage version A-2, it has a world of room to work in and it will handle the 50 BMG case also...
loading for double rifles is a whole nuther world, you had better study up on it before you bail off in the dark..They are mighty easy to blow up...and you must find a load that the rifle is regulated for...That is normally a load of IMR-4831 or maybe RL-15 and about 5 grs. of dacron filler...I will not quote loads for a Blaser, you'll have to figure that one out...
20 September 2004, 13:19
500grainsYou can find more info on reloading nitro express cartridges on
www.nitroexpress.com in the reloading forum
20 September 2004, 13:18
500grainsHere is what I have loaded in 3 .470 NE rifles (owned by others) in the past with success:
A. 108 grains IMR4831 500 grain Woodleigh soft nose F215 primer (this is the official load for Searcy rifles but seems to work great in Chapuis as well)
B. 87 grains Reloader 15, 500 Woodleigh soft nose, F215 primer, Kynoch foam wad between the powder and bullet.
C. 45.0 grains XMP5744 powder, 500 grain cast lead bullet, F215 primer, no filler (regulates just dandy).
As for a press, I use the biggest Redding press. But I do not think your Rockchucker caused the die to split. I would send the die back for a warranty claim.
EDITED TO CORRECT TYPO ON WOODLEIGH BULLET WEIGHT.
21 September 2004, 06:08
Atkinson510 Wells,
That was a typo on bullet weight by 500, but his charges are not high at all, Searcy rifles are regulated with the 108 grs. of IMR-4831 and the 87 grs. of RL-15 with a dacron filler are basically the Federal load for 470s..
I shoot the exact same loads that 500 does in his rifle,as recommended by Butch Searcy..
They may or may not work in an English gun, but I have shot these same loads in a couple of English guns without any problems...
To the fellow from NY, I don't have any internet information on reloading the .470...however you can get loads from several loading manuals and for anyone loading the double rifle, I always recommend Ghrame Wrights Loading the British Double Rifle, vol. 11 as an excellent source to understanding the double...Huntingtons carries that book...
20 September 2004, 12:55
CharlieNYRay,
Could you recommend an internet source for some reloading info on the BIG cartridges? Just some backround info, not data.
21 September 2004, 15:47
500grainsYes, I did have a typo on the weight of the Woodleigh bullet. Here is the corrected post:
Quote:
Here is what I have loaded in 3 .470 NE rifles (owned by others) in the past with success:
A. 108 grains IMR4831 500 grain Woodleigh soft nose F215 primer (this is the official load for Searcy rifles but seems to work great in Chapuis as well)
B. 87 grains Reloader 15, 500 Woodleigh soft nose, F215 primer, Kynoch foam wad between the powder and bullet.
C. 45.0 grains XMP5744 powder, 500 grain cast lead bullet, F215 primer, no filler (regulates just dandy).
As for a press, I use the biggest Redding press. But I do not think your Rockchucker caused the die to split. I would send the die back for a warranty claim.
All of these loads worked in an old manton as well as new guns, but your vintage gun may or may not like them.