Is anyone loading the 470 with RL15 and using a wad to keep the powder in place? I've never used this powder in this manner before but I've read about things such as styrofoam, cork, felt, and polyester fiber being used. Seems like styrofoam would gunk up the barrel, but with such a small amount of powder (87-90 grains as opposed to 100-120 grains of some of the others)recoil such be reduced significantly....just wondering.

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Andy Cooper

[I am just in the process of beginning to reload for the .470 The advice I got from Graeme Wright in his book, Shooting the British Double Rifle, is to use about 87gr Reloader 15 and use a packing foam filler cut slightly larger than the case so that it does not dislodge. Should produce 2100-2150fps. Ross Seyfried agrees with the powder and the grains but uses about 3gr of Dacron filler. Because of the low pressures required for doubles, it's a different ball game than filling a case up with slower powders. I really recommend Mr. Wright's book. I got my copy from Huntingtons ( RCBS Reloading)

Good luck,

Jim ACRecurve:
Is anyone loading the 470 with RL15 and using a wad to keep the powder in place? I've n ever used this powder in this manner before but I've read about things such as styrofoam, cork, felt, and polyester fiber being used. Seems like styrofoam would gunk up the barrel, but with such a small amount of powder (87-90 grains as opposed to 100-120 grains of some of the others)recoil such be reduced significantly....just wondering.
[/QUOTE]

Jim,
Thanks for the reply! I've just finished that book and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the doubles. Got mine from Gunnerman Books (Double Gun Journal). Anyway, I'm told that the 470 that is presently being built for me will be regulated with 90 grains of RL15, a 3/8" styrofoam wad, Fed 215M primers, and 500 gr Woodleigh's. This is soooo different from the turnbolts! Thanks again and good hunting.

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Andy Cooper

I use Dacron filler. Check out my .505 Gibbs loads with RL-15 in the Reloading section.

Andy,
I have been working with a 450 3 1/4" BPE with smokeless loads, and I have tried just about every filler that I have ever seen mentioned. So far the rigid type of styrofoam (the craft type, not the coffee cup type) has proven the most accurate and cleanest. A filler was certainly needed for the smaller volume loads suitable for the Nitro for Black pressures in that large case. Incidentally I have been getting slightly better accuracy with IMR 4831 than Reloader 15 in my rifle, but this may not be true with your rifle. Also, some people are concerned about slower burning powders in doubles, as I am sure you are aware, but I have not talked to anyone who has personally had a problem with these powders. Ringed chambers due to other types of fillers or improper use of fillers does seem to occur slightly more often. I use a thick enough foam filler to be slightly compressed when the bullet is seated (NO air space between powder and bullet).

Good shooting,
Jim

Due Federal factory loads use fiber fill or cork wads. Just curious

BigB

Gentlemen:
It has been some time ago, but I used H-4831 and 7828 powder in both of my .470 no problem with regulation and highter velocity
both of these powders give higher density loadings and does not need fillers. I did some test at one time with some of the faster powders and not filler. If I held the muzzle straight up to settle the powder to the rear of the case, then slowly lay in on the bench and fire over the chronograph.
then reverse the procedure with the muzzle down and then fire. I could cange the MV as much as 120fps. This is when I went to slower powders and a full case.
George

I've never been a fan of fillers as they have and do cause eratic ignition and can run pressures ski high, instead I have chosen to use bulky powders such as George H. has suggested....

In my 450-400-3" I can use RL15 without a filler and get 1" groups at 50 and 75 yds. but I can do the same with 80 grs of IMR 4831..both seem to work fine, but I use mostly RL-15 these days...

In the 470 I used only IMR-4831 and in the 500 NE I liked IMR-4350 as it kicked considerably less and got the same velocity...

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Ray/George:

Just starting to try to load 470. What charge of IMR-4831 do you use? Does it matter if it is H-4831, and by how much?

Alos what charge of IMR-4350 (or H-4350) for the 500 NE?

Thanks

Will

Will,
I always use IMR- 4831 and IMR -4350 but you can use the H in different charges, as well as RL-22 and IMR 7828,,,,You need a bulk powder that fills the case as this will keep the bullet in place and will not require the dreaded filler.....

You have stepped into a new world of handloading and nothing used in bolt gun reloading is going to apply, so forgot it.
Your load with any of the above will be the one that regulates to the poi at 50 yds. plain and simple, maybe ? maybe not?

I say this because your post gave me the impression that you are new to loading doubles, if that impression is wrong then disregard, but its good info for readers who have not loaded for doubles, that may try to apply reloading principles from standard practices and blow up thier guns and lose a diget or two....

The first step is to purchase Graeme Wrights 2nd addition of Shooting the British Double Rifle, from Huntingtons and read it very carefully, then go from there.....Its an excellent book and explains everything one must know about doubles...It's like starting over.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com