I did surgery on a Federal .470 load this afternoon to determine what it is loaded with. The round I opened up was the Federal 500 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw load. It appears to be loaded with RL-15. The weight of the charge was 87.5 grains, which would correspond with it being RL-15. There was no filler, but I understand that Federal uses a special primer not available on the market to avoid the use of a filler. The rounds were clocking at an average velocity of 2068 fps. Which also would correspond to 87.5 grains of RL-15.

That's a bit slower than I've found when testing Federals. My batch was consistently in the 2135 area. My gun regulates best with 86 grains of RL-15, which matches what you found in the factory Federals quite closely.

I agree with Spring....the Federal factory loads clocked a bit over 2100 fps in my Merkel. I got better groups once I reloaded with RL 15, a foam filler and NF Cups/solids and Woodleigh softs.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI

It was cool this morning. I would say between 40 and 50 degrees. I suspect if the temperature was 80 to 90 degrees, the velocity would be pushing if not above 2100 fps.

The last batch of federal solids (woodleighs) I chrono'd ran 2220 out of a 24" barrel - 10-ft from the muzzle (Oehler 35P) - at 50-degrees outside. FYI

Can't even get to the range 18 inches of snow and ice...

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by new_guy:
The last batch of federal solids (woodleighs) I chrono'd ran 2220 out of a 24" barrel - 10-ft from the muzzle (Oehler 35P) - at 50-degrees outside. FYI

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

Federal loads their .470 with non-cannister grade Reloder 15. They light it with their proprietary flamethrower, the F216, which they developed for the .470 so that they wouldn't have to use a filler.

quote:

Originally posted by new_guy:
The last batch of federal solids (woodleighs) I chrono'd ran 2220 out of a 24" barrel - 10-ft from the muzzle (Oehler 35P) - at 50-degrees outside. FYI

Considering that standard ballistics for the .470 are a 500 grain bullet at 2,125 fps from a 31" barrel (2,050 or so in a 24" barrel), that's WAY too hot.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

quote:

Originally posted by 400 Nitro Express:
Federal loads their .470 with non-cannister grade Reloder 15. They light it with their proprietary flamethrower, the F216, which they developed for the .470 so that they wouldn't have to use a filler.

quote:

Originally posted by new_guy:
The last batch of federal solids (woodleighs) I chrono'd ran 2220 out of a 24" barrel - 10-ft from the muzzle (Oehler 35P) - at 50-degrees outside. FYI

Considering that standard ballistics for the .470 are a 500 grain bullet at 2,125 fps from a 31" barrel (2,050 or so in a 24" barrel), that's WAY too hot.

My point exactly - Just because it's the most expensive ammo doesn't necessarily mean it's the best.