Is anyone out there using XLC's in their double rifles?

The coating on the bullets should make them easier on the bore. I have miked the XLC's and they are 0.475" diameter, coating and all.

I have not seen any of the coated 500 grain Barnes solids, but pictures in the reloading manual suggest they have about the same bearing surface as the XLC. I would not want to mix coated and noncoated solids.

The .475" 500 grain XLC has a big hollow point and they call it semi-pointed. It ought to open well and not lose petals at the sedate 470 NE velocities, and I get 2141 fps easily in my 600 mm/23.6" gun.

It is easy for me to order Barnes bullets from my local "stockist" and get them in a few days.

So here are my soft/solid combo choices for 470 NE, all 500 grainers:

Woodleigh Weldcore/FMJ Solid
Barnes XLC/coated solid
GSC HV/FN

Woodleighs are easy to get from Huntington.
Barnes are easy to get anywhere in the USA that stocks or orders for me.
GSC ... I dread ordering from RSA anymore. Hopefully a supplier on this side of the pond is in the works.

I like the shorter Woodleighs in the 470 Capstick,
but the Barnes XLC seems a natural for the 470 NE where there is case capacity to spare and filler is required.

Any thoughts on the suitability of the XLC's and blue coated solids in a double rifle?

I have loaded some of the 470 XLC's for my Ruger #1 conversion. The rifle project isn't complete yet, so I haven't had a chance to test them. I don't see a problem with using the uncoated solid bullets along with the coated XLC's. I talked to Barnes about the coated solids, and they said they only make them on special order, and you have to order a large amount to get the special order. Apparently they had a request for some, and that is why the picture appears in the manual.

I forgot to mention- With IMR 4831, the case is filled so fiber filler is not needed. Actually, with 4831, case capacity is the limiting factor long before pressure gets too high (With the #1 action, NOT double rifles).

[ 06-03-2002, 07:38: Message edited by: Ken Cline ]

Ken,
Thanks. That explains why I have not seen any of the coated solids.

Your Ruger number one can handle anything. I wanted the coated solid for the soldered together twin tubes pushing the monolithics.

Actually the XLC will do it all except elephant brain shooting.

I guess I will stick with the GSC FN as my choice easy on the barrel solid, and the Woodleigh solid with steel jacket and lead core as my alternate ... unless I come into some coated Barnes solids someday. Too bad the TBSH is not available as a component bullet in .475/.474".

So:
Woodleigh Weldcore soft and solid/FMJ
Barnes XLC/GSC HV/GSC FN
Barnes XLC for everything but elephant braining

Heck, my gun shoots them all O.K. and Swifts too. But is that A-Frame partition bolusing down the barrel a little rough on the twin tubes? A reservation of mine.

I will also try some H4831 as my slow powder choice.

Have you noticed the case capacity difference between BELL and Norma? You can get more powder into the Norma, it being 50 grains lighter than the BELL case, I do believe.

Don't forget about TCCI solids. TCCI made the solids for A-Square. I have used them with very good success. ALso I find them to be more consistent than Barnes regular solids (i.e., on TCCI the canneulure is in the same place on every bullet).

I used IMR 4831 in mine, but I imagine H4831 would be fairly similar in charge weights/velocities. I used Norma brass (because of the good price/100 from Midway). I know BELL does make some very tough brass, but the 470 NE is not really super high in pressures anyhow. With the XLC's, I can squeeze in 112.5 grains of IMR 4831. With the solids, 115.0 grains would fit, but I load the same 112.5 grains for both. This should easily reach 2300 fps. Ross Seifreid loaded his up over 2350, but what's the point? Pressures were not even a problem at 2350 with 4831.

I have been using 110 gr of H 4831 for my 470 NE Encore. Barrel length is about 13 1/2" (not counting the brake). I have been getting aa average of 1950 fps. Accuracy is three shots in less than 1" at 100 yds.
Sat in a tree stand last night waiting for a nice Black Bear to try this load on, but none came to play. I'm interested to see how the XLC's will do at those lower velocities.

efryman,
What make of brass are you using?

You got a handful with an Encore loaded like that! A handgun!

It is amazing that you can get that kind of velocity in a 13-1/2" barrel.

It will indeed be interesting to see how the 500 grain .475" XLC opens up at about 1900 fps impact velocity. Let us know, please.

Does Barnes claim they work well down to 1800 fps or is it lower?

DaggaRon,

I'm using Norma and Federal brass. Bought some A-Square brass, but they wouldn't even chamber in my gun.

I'm surprised with the velocities as well, but I have shot over 20 rounds through it and the average is 1950fps. I have also shot other rifles through the chrono on the same day, and the velocities are correct. Would like to check it on someone elses chrono though.

I have no idea what the lower limit of the Barnes' are. It's all I can get up here (besides Paul H's 460gr cast bullets)