I was shooting some Kynoch .475 #2 ammo today (480 grain soft points) and was getting over 2300 fps on the chronograph. I shot some .577 Kynoch before and it was also hot. What has been the experience of others with Kynoch ammunition?

Did it shoot to the regulation of the guns?

Rounds are accurate and left and right are not crossing but that is 100-150 fps faster than standard. I worry about pressure issues. There was no problem with extraction and primers did not look bad, but it was 60 degrees outside.

Are these rifles that you normally shoot 150FPS slower and they aren't too wide then?

Something sounds weird! Chrony screwed up?

Chrono was fine. I shot three other rifles over the chrono and the velocities all were as expected. I have read other reports suggesting that Kynoch is loaded hot. Just wondering what others have experienced.

I have used it in 375 H&H 300 grains soft and solids. They shoot within 1 inch at 100 yards off a bench. I have found nothing better, either store bought or hand loaded. No problems with "to hot".

It this old or new ammo

Mike,

Is the ammo you are shooting loaded with Cordite or Axite? I'm sure it isn't new ammo as most of it is really slow. Original loads tend to be on the higher pressure side because of the type of powder they used. Extraction problem do show pressure faster than primers in a double. Depending on the age of the ammo and how it was cared for over the years there is no telling what kind of shape the powder is in. One other thing are you positive that the ammo is original and not some old reload? I've send a bunch of this stuff on collectors tables trying to pass it off as original.

Mike,
Is that a 475#2 Jeffery?

Eley. The ammunition is current manufacture stuff. I am just going to buy some dies and brass and solve the problem that way! More cost effective in any event.

If the ammo is current production I'd say its perfectly safe or there is a problem and I would let David Little at Kynamco know about it.
Most likely you are too close to your chrono and the blast is giving you false readings. You say gun opened fine and no extraction problems right? Primers don't tell you much in a double.

Sam

quote:

Originally posted by srose:
If the ammo is current production I'd say its perfectly safe or there is a problem and I would let David Little at Kynamco know about it.
Most likely you are too close to your chrono and the blast is giving you false readings. You say gun opened fine and no extraction problems right? Primers don't tell you much in a double.

Sam

Gentlemen, the only Kynoch ammo I’ve ever fired was old cordite ammo years ago, so I can’t say about the new stuff. However, the pressures will have to go really high before case examination will tell you anything, in a double rifle and when that happens it is usually too late, the damage is done.

If this is a new rifle, I’d slug the barrels to make sure they are not a little tight. If it is an older rifle I wouldn’t shoot any more of that ammo in it and do as Mike says just load my own, but would still check the bore regardless, because if it is a tight bore, handloading with jacketed bullets will still be a problem. My guess is it is the ammo!

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There were a lot of different bore diameters used in some calibers depending on who made the rifle. I would suggest you follow Macs suggestion and slug the bores.

465H&H

Both mac & 465 H&H are right that you need to check the bore diameter of your gun. The 475's had several different diameter bullets, the 470 had .474 and the 475's were anywhere between .482 to .488. Are you sure you have the correct 475 #2 ammunition? I'm not sure but I know Jeffrey ammo will not fit in a regular 475 #2 chamber, however the opposite might interchange. The bullet diameters are different between the two cartridges.

I know the Kynoch .450/400s are about 100fps faster than Hornady's, but the latter are more like a tropical load.

I don't suppose Kynoch's use of new, hard bullets with the same old powder loads could be anything to do with it?

Mike, I´m not going to name names here since I don´t want to get involved in any libel actions. I can tell that one of the big four double rifle manufacturers in the Uk was recently regulating a .500 which the regulator brought in after the morning session, face black and blue saying he couldn´t fire it anymore. They tested the ammo and it was producing 30% more presure than a PROOF load. The gunmakers are considering starting to make their own line of ammo to stop this happening. I have experienced "odd" velocities with the same boutique maker. I now only use Norma ammo (I can´t reload in Spain), best, Mike

Mike,
Are you speaking of Kynoch as the "Boutique" ammo company or someone else?
I'd like to know if only to avoid potential problems for myself or my family.
Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Bailey:
I now only use Norma ammo

I too have found unwelcome pressure and velocity variations among the Kynoch ammo from recent stock (bought from 2006-2010). I was told all their ammo is hand-loaded by one person ie not done with machines; can this really be correct?

Having got nowhere when I contacted the company with my concerns (please improve your customer service, Mr Little), I am now very happy using Norma .505 Gibbs ammo, and have also started reloading using Norma .505 Gibbs cases.

I have a Chapuis .375 flanged on the way. I asked that it be regulated with Kynoch ammo out of tradition. I hope it is going to be okay. After your reports, I am having second thoughts. I bought five rounds of Kynoch ammo to shoot over the chrony when it gets here. I will let you know the results.

This is strange. If you go to the Kynoch UK web site all of the velocities posted are the traditional nitro express velocities.

It was anoth operation out of Germany, best, Mike p.s Dave, if I were you I would get it regulated with Norma

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Bailey:
Dave, if I were you I would get it regulated with Norma

+1. I'm the second UK-based shooter to not recommend Kynoch; I wonder why?

the new kynock has (or at least had) bertram brass .. for what that's worth

Okay, you guys made me nervous. Sent and e-mail to Dale and he is going to have the regulation ammo changed to 300 grain Norma ammo on my .375 flanged.

Good idea Dave, I chronographed 30 rounds of the Norma flanged last year with a variation of about 60fps from memory which is fine by me, whatever is on the other end isn´t going to notice best