I'm finally ready to start reloading for my 500 Nitro. Can anyone provide a good starting (training) load using the 450gr Woodleigh?

Thanks!

I have not regulated with any of the 450gr Woodleighs however I just got finished working up a load with 570gr Woodleighs.

Two loads that worked well were 102-103grs of H4831 and 112gr of H4831. The 112 grain load shot the best.

If you want a light plinking load that is very inexpensive get some IMR 7383 spotter powder and a 435gr CP lead bullet. I would suggest starting at 80grs and work up. It should regulate around 84-86grs. This powder burns between IMR 4064 and IMR 4350. Its bulky and fills the case nicely. Its a surplus 50 spotter powder and is $3 a pound.

Good luck

Corbin

I use a Woodleigh 570 gr. over 92-94 gr. RL 15 with Fed 215M primers. I cut a Kynoch foam wad in half to take up the air space, but I have also shot the load without the wad with no ill effects. This load is very accurate, and gives considerably less felt recoil than the H-4831 loads. Velocity is in the range of 2050-2100 fps.

Geronimo

I've never shot any jacketed bullets in the 500 that were under 540grains. I have shot some LBT 435 grain cast bullets that regulated quite well.

With 570 grain Woodie solids I use 88.5 grains or R15 w/Kynoch foam filler and with the softs I use 89.5 grains velocity for both is 2050. As Geronomo rightly stated above, the R15 loads with filler will produce less felt recoil than the powders mentioned above. H4350 is another good moderate speed powder that works well for the 500.

A good plinking load would be to use 45-48grains of AA5744 powder NO FILLER NEEDED with cast bullets or the Woodie and veloicities will be 1500-1600.

Dirk,

What barrel length is on your rifle?

I shot my Merkel today. I shot four round sets with 90, 92 and 94 grains of RL15 with 570 grain Woodleigh solids. I got an average of 1965 fps with 90 grains, 2003 fps with 92 grains and 2032 fps with 94 grains. Used half a Kynoch foam wad in each with F215M primers. I am thinking that 95 or 96 grains is going to be ideal. The velocities were very consistent, with extreme spreads in each group for the same barrel being under 10 fps. Surprised you are getting 2050 fps with 88.5 grains.

Mike,
I shot one of the 500's in a Heym Chris had in his possession a few months ago. I wanted to shoot it before I ordered one in that caliber. It had 24inch barrels, the free bore could be quite different than a Merkle, or most likely the lot of R-15 I have is hotter than your lot of R-15. R-15 is notorious for variance in lots. I shot the groups over my Oehler chrono with velocities very consistent so I don't believe it's my chrono. I used a full Kynoch foam wad.