I'm trying to fine tune my loads for my much anticipated buff hunt in Zim. The gun is a Merkel 470, and the ?? is this:

Any reason NOT to simply use the NF Cups for the hunt? I have Woodleigh solids printing very nice but am having a bit of trouble getting the softs to the same POI...they are printing higher...together, but higher.

Thanks.

Gary

Sorry...forgot to say....yes, I'm using a chrono, and the softs are running very close in fps to the solids...just higher. The average velocity for both is right at 2100 using 87.5 gr of RL15 with a Kynoch filler.

Garby:

How much is "higher?"

About 4". I can't figure it out...especially when they're running within 25 fps of each other. I got pi$$ed off and just loaded up the NF's and have been getting good groups 2-3" at about 2100 fps. But I'm a little concerned about overpenetration with the cups in a herd situation.
Thanks for the reply.

Gary

quote:

Originally posted by GarBy:
I'm trying to fine tune my loads for my much anticipated buff hunt in Zim. The gun is a Merkel 470, and the ?? is this:

Any reason NOT to simply use the NF Cups for the hunt? I have Woodleigh solids printing very nice but am having a bit of trouble getting the softs to the same POI...they are printing higher...together, but higher.

Thanks.

Gary

The NF cup point is the perfect buffalo bullet.

As for POI, doe your Merkel allow switching out the front sight blade for one that is a little higher? That woudl correct the POI problem.

500G:

JJ reworked the sights sometime back....just as some have recently posted here with the flip-up moon. There must be something with the Woodleigh softs and my rifle....but the cups are working fine....I guess they'll just have to make the trip.

Thanks.

Gary

IMO, you can do no better than the NF CUPs!

The North Fork CPS is a great bullet for buff, still you might want some softs for other game. Try this, up the powder charge one grain on the Softs, see where they hit. If that does notr work lower the powder charge one grain on the Solids. See where they hit.
On my 450 No2 89 grains of RL 15 hit a little low to the sights at 100 yards. I lowered the powder charge to 88 grains and BINGO the groups raised POI to the sights at 100 yards.

But NF CPS are great buff bullets.
Their Flat point is a GREAT ELEPHANT BULLET.

Thanks, gents. 450#2....I have raised the charge in the softs by as much as 3 grains and while it did lower it about 1", the velocity got to over 100 fps faster than the solids. Likewise, I lowered the charge in the solids, and they did go up...about 2" when I lowered the charge down to where velocity was only 1975 fps. It just seems strange to me. But the cups shoot about 1" high at 60 yds (yes, I use 60 yds for testing)at about 2100-2120 fps. They will be getting the nod.
I thought about using the 470 on other (plains) game, but I am also taking my beloved CZ 9.3x62 which will make little 3 pedal cloverleafs at 100 yds with the Partition at 2400 fps.
Thanks all for your replies....now all I have to do is wait to the 28th.

Gary

Mac....as a side note, I'm looking for one just like in your post!

Garby
I would still take a few softs. As long as you know where they hit. You might bimp into some plains game you want to shoot.

On my March Safari I shot an eland and a wildebeast with my 450 No2. Bumped into them when hunting buff.

The NFCPS will be perfect for buff.

quote:

Originally posted by GarBy:
Mac....as a side note, I'm looking for one just like in your post!

He's a beautiful buff for sure!

Well...I'm going to up the charge a bit...90 gr of RL 15 for the softs and try another 1/2 gr for the solids. I would like to take something other than the buff with the double...simply because it's nostalgic and I flat love that rifle! If I can get the softs and solids to group close...even if a bit high..I'll compensate the few inches with the aim.

Thanks, again, gents for all the responses...photos, of course, will be posted when I'm able.

Gary

GarBy,

NE450#2 was saying you should up the softs so they leave the barrel sooner and hopefully print lower or lower the charge with the solids so they have more barrel time and move up a little. If you increase the charge for both it kind of defeats the purpose I think.

Bulldog:

See what trying to look at the internet while at the office does to you.....you're right...what I MEANT was I'm going to DROP the solids by another 1/2 gr. The solids are a touch high...but I'm only going to drop THEM if the softs come down. Actually I loaded some tonight...I own the business and reload in a corner of my office. The softs are at 90 gr and the solids are at 87 NOW...but will try 86.5 if the softs come to the aim.
Sorry...but thanks for pointing it out.

Gary

GarBy
As long as you can get the impacts fairly close, do not worry about it.

Try this. Get some live size deer targetss [they are the most easiest to find], set them up at 50, 100, and 150 yards.
Blast away at them with you double with softs and solids.
As long as you are hitting in the vital area you are good to go.

Anyone think that trying IMR 4831 with the solids might make a difference? I noticed in my 400 that loads with similar velocities using 4831 shot higher than those using R-15. Could have something to do with the pressure curve difference between a medium and a slow burning powder, or it could be the difference in recoil impulse. Either way, it might make a difference. I have no problem with two different loads if they shoot to the same point of aim.
Are the NF's a driving band style bullet, I believe? With less resistance needed to get them out of the barrel than the woodleighs, I could see why they might shoot lower, less dwell time in the barrel!?! Tony and Mac, what do you think?

OK guys. Went out today and did a little range work. Had 30 rounds loaded up with 2 different bullets (NF Cups and Wood softs) and 2 different loads for each. Low and behold...90 gr with the Wood softs and 89 gr with the NF Cups hit just above the POA (about 2 and a 1/4") and in a nice group....6 total rounds formed a group of 3" extreme left to right and a 1" vertical variation...I took a picture but am posting challenged. Regardless...it's sweet. The range was 60 yards. I thing that JJ put a little bit of a short front sight on for me....but I'll deal with it.
By the way, velocity with 89 gr of RL 15 with the NF was 2200 fps and 90 gr of the same gave 2140 fps for the softs. I don't guess the 2200 fps is hurting anything...and I'm assuming pressure wouldn't be a problem...no signs of it anyway.

Anybody thing the 2200 for the NF's is an issue?

Thanks, as always.

Gary

GarBy

My 450gr NF bullets go 2205 with my load of 89gr of RL 15 in my 450 No2. They work perfect on elephant bull and giraffe.

Thanks 450.....no worries then....2200 fps it is.

Gary