Today I was playing around with the chrono and different loadings and was getting 2140 fps with 104g Vihtavouri N160. I was using Norma brass and 500g Woodleigh Soft. I didn't have time today to put it on paper to see how it shot though.

Anyone else tried the Viht powders with your
470 NE?

[ 07-22-2002, 00:52: Message edited by: rcasto ]

I've not tried Vihtavouri powders but, by coincidence, I was considering doing just that today.

I have both a Chapuis .470NE and a 9.3x74R and I have had excellent results with Reloader 22 and 19, respectively, but am having a lot of trouble buying those powders here in the 'colonies'. So my reloading gear supplier suggested Vihtavouri powders so I was going to start looking around for loading data on them. Your post has given me a clue for the .470 - now I just need to find out which powder for the 9.3.

In the meantime, I would be interested to hear how your .470 shoots with the Vihtavouri load.

Bwana,
I'll try to check out the grouping this week.
I have found that I need to reduce my charges about 2 grains when I use Bell Brass. Another option is to use IMR 4831. Generally, and depending on your rifle and components, about 106 - 108g should be about right with the 500gr bullets.

rcasto,
Sounds good.

BwanaBob,
Regarding the 470 NE, I am planning on trying H4831, which is made down under.

The Hodgdon manual shows 114.0 to 119.0 grains of H4831 giving 2039 to 2159 fps in a 23-3/4" barrel with F-215 primer, case unspecified, but probably the Federal case, and 500 grain Barnes Original RNSP, ought to be close to a Woodleigh Weldcore on pressure effects..

I have found the BeLL cases to be heavier and require about 2 grains less powder than Federal and Norma brass, which are very similar, in 470 NE.

Regarding the 9.3X74, the VV, Barnes and Speer manuals have data.
VV: N140, N135
Hodgdon: H380, H4350
Any of those sound interesting and with what bullet weight?