Decided to try reloading. Have had the tools for almost 2 years, but have not made the time to learn how. Finally started a couple weeks ago, and made developing a reduced recoil load for my .470 the first project.

Decided to use Cutting Edge solids - 350 grain - as the bullet (I prefer bullets with driving bands). Although probably not the ideal powder, what I have on hand is IMR 3031. I wanted to start at 2,000 fps, but I had to make an educated guess on how much IMR 3031 to use for a .474 in, 350 grain bullet. Started with 62 grains and got 1,930 fps, but the bullets were crossed by 5" at 50 yards. Backed it down to 60 grains and reduced the crossing to 2" at 50 yards. Dropped to 59 grains and got 1,848 fps with minimal cross at 50 yards. Extended to 100 yards and had a 4" cross, but only shot one pair.

Tried 58 grains (1,811 fps), but velocity was erratic and no pattern could be established - sprayed bullets all over. Went back to 59 grains with 3 Kynoch foam wads. Think I'll hunt the entire whitetail season this year with the .470 ....

FWIW I had both Hornady Brass and Federal Nickel coated brass (I use Federal factory loaded Woodleigh Hydros for the real thing). The nickel coated brass had significantly less resistance when seating the bullet (cleaned, sized and trimmed both brands the same), which resulted in almost 50 fps less velocity with the same powder load.

I have a IMR3031 load for my 450NE, 63grns a foam wad in front of a 480gr bullet 1900fps. Apply the 75% rule load a 350gr on top of the same load it's out of the barrel at 2100fps same POA/POI less recoil a bit snappier.

I loaded the 400gr Hornady XTP over 95grs of H4895 for a peppier version of the same idea, also shot extremely well from a Merkel 140.

In my 470, I use 100 - 102 grs of IMR4831, depending on the lot of powder, over the Hornady or Speer 400gr bullets. This is the same load I use under the full load 500gr Woodleigh softs and the 400gr bullets shoot to the same POI.

Some people refer to this as the 75% rule where you can use a bullet weighing 75% as much as the "typical" weight bullet with the same charge and have it hit the same POI while a lot more fun to shoot!

It's worked for me in 10 plus doubles in calibers from 450/400, 500/450 and 470.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

quote:

Originally posted by 470Evans:
In my 470, I use 100 - 102 grs of IMR4831, depending on the lot of powder, over the Hornady or Speer 400gr bullets. This is the same load I use under the full load 500gr Woodleigh softs and the 400gr bullets shoot to the same POI.

Are you using the Hornady and Speer's listed at .475"? That'd certainly simplify it for me as I already have some 400gr's for my 475 Linebaugh.

I use a 425 gr gas checked cast bullet from Cast Performance (.475") over 29.0 gr of Trail Boss for a mild recoiling practice and pig load. Shoots pretty good in my rifle.

I have found that my Trail Boss loads shoot low so I use my 200yrd leaf with good success

quote:

Originally posted by FFemt5287:

quote:

Originally posted by 470Evans:
In my 470, I use 100 - 102 grs of IMR4831, depending on the lot of powder, over the Hornady or Speer 400gr bullets. This is the same load I use under the full load 500gr Woodleigh softs and the 400gr bullets shoot to the same POI.

Are you using the Hornady and Speer's listed at .475"? That'd certainly simplify it for me as I already have some 400gr's for my 475 Linebaugh.

Yes, exactly.

I use IMR5744 with 440 grain hard cast gas checks. This shoots to regulation out to 50 yards very well.

I have used RL-15 with a filler and for a velocity of 2020 FPS...It has been a incredibly accurate load in my .470s and it hammers buffalo as well as the 2245 FPS regulation load that the guns were regulated with..both were Searcys, both were incredibly accurate, one won the world championship double rifle shoot.