Anyone have any feedback on using the Hornady DGX in a 470 for lion? I will be using a double rifle, on purpose by the way, and am wanting a fairly expansive bullet. Would prefer a Nosler Partition, but they don't make one in this caliber.

I have heard that the DGX is a little too soft for buffalo, and that's just fine with me since I want as much expansion as I can get on a thin skinned animal like a lion.

I have also heard that there were some production problems with Hornady ammo, and am curious if thats been any kind of issue with their 470s.

Thanks!

Have not used the DGX. Thought of just using a woodleigh? Afterall you have plenty of gun for a lion. Don't think it matters what you use with a 470 as long as you hit it right.

I did think of that. And I actually have a supply of Woodleighs that I've used for buffalo. A really tough bullet, abut may be so tough that it might not open up much on a lion. Same with Swift A-Frame.

Hitting right is of course paramount. Appropriate bullet penetration and expansion are also important and can certainly be a big help with dangerous game. For example, I don't use solids on buffalo in a herd, but will do so for follow up shots when possible. Penetration in the first situation can be a problem, and lack of penetration on a flanking shot can also be a problem.

It's just never easy, is it !

My expierence with woodleighs is they open up faster than A-frames.

I have used DGX bullets on a variety of animals, including buffalo. They are indeed a bit soft . . . which for your purposes on lion would be just fine. I would have little doubt that a DGX in .470 NE would put down a lion if the shooter does his part. In fact, now that I think about it, I shot my lion with a DGX bullet in .375 Ruger. One and done.

Thanks, Mike. Just what I was hoping for on the bullet. Any issues with the quality of factory ammo?

None that I have experienced. All the DGX I have used hunting have been in factory Hornady ammunition.

You should be more concerned of your shooting skills than the choice of bullet when hunting lion with a 470.

On a 470 they probably would be fine but as MJines said they are soft...I shot some out of a 375 Ultra and blew up on an eland...it was a bloody mess...not a good heavy game bullet.

Ed

Thanks, guys! Now just have to see how well they shoot. Sounds like this can be medicine for lions.

quote:

I shot some out of a 375 Ultra and blew up on an eland.

Ed, that's quite a bit of velocity for any bullet to withstand. I would shoot monometals in a 375 RUM.

Second on monometals in a 375 RUM. I killed a buff with a TSX. Penetrated about 4 feet front to back, perfectly expanded. Always thought it would be great cat medicine.

Made a backup shot on a lion with a 470 using Hornady DGX - 500 grain. Bullet was recovered when the cat was skinned, which was a bit of a shock to me. Granted it was a quartering shot, but I was surprised it didn't exit (factory loads).

If you're looking for a bullet that opens fast - the DGX is the ticket. If you're looking for deep penetration on thick-skinned animals - I would avoid the DGX.

Thanks for the report on the lion. Pretty much what I have been hearing, but your information is much more specific. That helps!

Bought some factory ammo and tried it yesterday, and I think that's what I'm going to use. Grouped 2 1/2" at 50 yds, and vertically was within 1/4 - 1/2". Good enough!

Didn't have much luck with RL15, 85 or 86 grains, with and with kynoch filler. Would have been nice to get the lighter load to shoot well, but my Chapuis didn't digest them very well.

Recoil wasn't too bad with the full factory loads, from my homemade standing bench rest. Little unpleasant from a sitting bench, as I recall!

So have lion ammo for October, and will be practicing from shooting sticks between now and then.

Thanks to the contributors on this forum.