Hi all, I finally sat down to load for my 470, but the caliber converion kit that Dillon sent me was the wrong one, so I'm waiting again.
What velocity should I expect from a 24" barrel with 500gn bullets?
Or what velocity would normally be obtained with Federal or similar ammo in a 24" barrel?
So that I can regulate my gun to a similar velocity.
I guess I'll work on my bullet swageing dies in the mean time.
I had one almost done, but messed up while threading. My lathe doesn't have a threading dial.

2150.... 500 gr...

Man, i hope you get it and get it right ON!!!

jeffe

Lar45,

From my Merkel 470 I have obtained between 2050 fps and 2164fps, all chronographed
- 24" barrel with 500gn Woodleigh bullets.

Federal would be about the same - I haven't shot Federal ammo in my Merkel
but I have in a William Douglass and the velocity was the same.

You shouldn't have any problems getting velocity and regulation with a 470.
Often the bigger the caibre the easier they are to regulate.

Hope this helps.

500 Nitro

I just heard back from Dillon. Apperently they don't make a conversion kit for 470NE, even though they sold me one. I'm sending it back with a single case and the R&D guys will see if they can make one and send it back out. I guess I'll have to get a RCBS shell holder in the mean time. I hate loading one at a time. I guess I only have 20 rnds of brass so it shouldn't be that bad.

My Merkel 470 NE (just a hair less than 24" barrels, 600 mm = 23.6" ) gave about 2080 fps ave with the Federal factory Woodleigh RNSP loads, IIRC, a bit less than they advertize, and ES/Sd much worse than handloads with filler and RL-15.

I aim for 2100 to 2150 fps with my handloads. My Merkel crosses around 2100 fps with 500 grain Woodleighs. 1.6" 4 shot composite group at 50 yards, R-L-R-L.

Woodleigh RNSP's are the most accurate 470 NE bullet in most doubles, I reckon, and the easiest on barrels.