I would like to hear some thoughts and experiences with the 470 Capstick. I've heard very little about it, and don't know anyone who has even seen a rifle chambered for the cartridge. Is it typically loaded to high pressures(60k)? I only ask because as I studied the SAAMI drawings, the taper in the chamber is only .006" per inch. That seems like a pretty straight walled case for DG work. I don't know if there is a golden rule for case taper in dangerous game cartridges, but it seems to lean towards more is better. Is sticky extraction ever an issue with the 470? I do like how the case and chamber is spec'd as having basically a parallel neck, where as the case and chamber of the 458 Lott is at a fixed .012" of taper per inch from the belt to case mouth. How has accuracy been with the 470? I have no plans to own a 470 Capstick as I feel the 458 Lott will meet my needs perfectly, but there is still some intellectual value in the 470 Capstick to be gained, good or bad.

Its basically a .458 Lott with a larger diameter bullet. I can't tell the difference on game between the two.

I have a 470 Capstick built on a Win M70 Classic Express action. I built it because it can meet or exceed the ballistics of the tried and true 470 Nitro Express. When I first loaded for it, I tried for max velocity and got real close to 2400 fps with no signs of pressure. Then I tried loading down a bit to around 2200 fps to more closely match the 470 Nitro. This turned out to be a very accurate load and a bit milder on recoil (not much). The recoil on this round is noticeably more than a 416 Rem Mag. Varget and H4895 are very good powders for this round with 500gr bullets, Swift A-Frames, North Fork FPS, and Woodlieghs. Loading dies are available, usually on special order. My set is from Redding and it is a 3 dies set. Since the case is almost straight walled like a pistol round, the 3rd die is a case mouth expander.

I plan to take this rifle to Africa some day when the money gods allow it. But, in the mean time, I have used it on Bison. It worded quite well. My guide on the hunt was very impressed with the round.

quote:

Originally posted by +Templar+:
I would like to hear some thoughts and experiences with the 470 Capstick. I've heard very little about it, and don't know anyone who has even seen a rifle chambered for the cartridge. Is it typically loaded to high pressures(60k)? I only ask because as I studied the SAAMI drawings, the taper in the chamber is only .006" per inch. That seems like a pretty straight walled case for DG work. I don't know if there is a golden rule for case taper in dangerous game cartridges, but it seems to lean towards more is better. Is sticky extraction ever an issue with the 470? I do like how the case and chamber is spec'd as having basically a parallel neck, where as the case and chamber of the 458 Lott is at a fixed .012" of taper per inch from the belt to case mouth. How has accuracy been with the 470? I have no plans to own a 470 Capstick as I feel the 458 Lott will meet my needs perfectly, but there is still some intellectual value in the 470 Capstick to be gained, good or bad.

I've got one. The answers to your questions are yes, no, no, and excellent.

George

A buddy owns an A-Square Hannibal chambered in .470 Capstick and he has a friend who is PH in Benin and he has also an Hannibal in this caliber.

My buddy has killed many boars during driven hunts and he used also his rifle in Africa (Benin) on different games. For him, it's a really good caliber and also a very good rifle and he has never had a problem with it. He reloads all his ammunitions with Degol bullets (Starkmantel, Lion Load and FMJ) : 500 gr at 730 m/s (2395 f/s) is very effective on the game and with the scope the accuracy is really good.
I shot with it only in the shooting range but that was great.
I'm not sure but I believe now he would like to sell it ?


I don't know the PH, but I've seen several photos and I've heard my buddy about him. He is very happy and this caliber is very effective on western buffalos. He killed also a Lion, one bullet in the chest and the big cat fell down stone dead. This man reloads also with Degol bullets. As it's not easy to find cases in this caliber, he uses cases of 416 Remington opened at .474".

Thank you, gentlemen, for the responses. It sounds like a very fun cartridge. I've wondered why Winchester never offered it beyond their custom shop. It would have made a very affordable .474 caliber production rifle that the average joe(me) could afford. It's seems that major manufacturers stop at the .458 or .416. Probably too small of a group of buyers to bother with it.

It would be neat. What are the ballistics? I skipped the .470's and went straight to .500

quote:

Originally posted by +Templar+:
Thank you, gentlemen, for the responses. It sounds like a very fun cartridge. I've wondered why Winchester never offered it beyond their custom shop. It would have made a very affordable .474 caliber production rifle that the average joe(me) could afford. It's seems that major manufacturers stop at the .458 or .416. Probably too small of a group of buyers to bother with it.

I like to shoot the original Barnes 600 round noses in it from time to time, about 2100 fps. At bit more pop than the 500 at the expense of design against the X bullet. The 500's will really handle anything.

It's a fun gun. The .458 actually has a wider selection of bullet weights and they are a bit less expensive generally. Let's face it, Winchester has been difficult to even get to chamber the Lott round outside the custom shop, they like the win mag. and the revenue it generates the ammo division.