Observation on factory ammo

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03 August 2012, 22:32

larryshores

Observation on factory ammo

I am leaving the 14th for Botswana where I will (hopefully) properly christen the 500 NE on 2 elephants.

I have shot various factory ammo to see where they shoot prior to leaving. The Hornady DGX & DGS hit in the same place pretty much. I am a bit afraid of the DGX given comments from various PH's I know. I have decided to shoot the Federal factory loads with the Swift A-frames. These seem to consistently shoot about 2 inches higher than the Hornadys.

I think that is still plenty close for the ranges involved. However, it did surprise me.I guess I am stuck with that if I want to shoot factory loads.

03 August 2012, 23:00

465H&H

Larry,

Have you chronographed those factory loads?

465H&H

03 August 2012, 23:38

bwanamrm

Larry,
Just a question, if you are only carrying the .500 NE on a one-gun safari you might not need expanding bullets. You absolutely don't for elephant and most plains game species can easily be felled by a .50 caliber bullet... if the DGS bullets shoot well in your double just shoot them. I know I have done that before with my .416 in the Zambezi Valley. I killed everything from impala to kudu with Woodleigh solids! Just a thought...

On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died.

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch...
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Rudyard Kipling

Life grows grim without senseless indulgence.

04 August 2012, 15:41

larryshores

465: I have not. I do not own a chronograph .

Russell: You are right. However, I prefer sorts for everything except elephant and hippo. I think they are plenty close enough for me.

04 August 2012, 19:20

465H&H

Larry,

I suspect that the Swifts are gong slower than the Hornady's. Slower equals more time in the barrel and therefore leaves the barrel later in the recoil pulse giving the higher impact.

465H&H