Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only 470 NE Double

Just got an email from a buddy who bought a Chapuis double in 470 NE,and plans to load for it.....can we tap the collective expertise of the CF for loads/tips on loading for this rifle?

He plans on using the Woodleigh solids/softs in it, but I thought I would also ask about suitable practice loads/bullets.

Thanks in advance for any assistance

I use Norma brass (but you may be able to get Hornady brass soon), Federal 215GM primers, and H4831sc in mine.

I've found (in my gun)that somewhere between 102gr and 106gr regulates well (approx 2030 fps) and fills the case to boot. IIRC, load data goes up to 113 gr but I doubt you'll get close to this without crossing.

I abhor wads/fillers/etc that are necessary with RL-15.

you'll likely need to get a big press like the Lee classic cast, and the Forster "big" case trimmer. Redding dies are $50-ish, RBCS thinks theirs are worth $250.

I forgot: AA5744 (50-ish grains) is a great practice powder.

Chris Sells (Heym USA) has a guy that makes a 497gr hard cast GC bullet in the woodleigh profile to go with it.

I can search out the name if you like, as well as provide load data from AA re: 470NE.

Looks like you got a serious shooter there, UL!

utah thanks for that info....I will pass it along. This may be a real short thread.....not many have one of these in the arsenal

Thanks!

sure.

I also forgot to mention that there is some temperature variability in terms of regulation.

H4831 is in the "extreme powder" lineup and varies less than many powders out there but it still does vary some --- and this is more critical in regulating a double than you'd ever see in a single-barreled gun.

Denton helped me with some math during the initial work-up and we documented the following:

this will vary a little from lot to lot but in general:

+/- 1* F = +/- 1.4fps velocity

+/- 1gr H4831 = +/- 33.5 fps velocity


once I did all the math, I ended up with two loads to hit the target regulation velocity of 2030fps:

#1) 104 gr for average temps 45* - 100* F
#2) 106 gr for average temps below 40* F


I've got a spreadsheet with the formulas if you're interested

Heym 88B 470NE

Target on the left was shot at 100 yards from a standing rest: 106gr RL 22 and 500 gr Woodleigh solid yields 2150 fps. Slightly lower charges of H4831 works nearly as well. (Woodleigh softs do not regulate nearly as well. They'll cross by 2" or so at 50 yds.)

Target on the right was shot from a standing rest at 50 yds:
40 gr XMP 5744 and 425 gr LBT WFN GC yields 1500 fps.

If I could give anyone a word of advice on handloading for doubles is that, in my limited experience, they tend to be individualistic.

Once again thanks guys. I have emailed the thread to Anthony for review by him; I will extend thanks on his behalf since he does not post here....all further commenst/suggestions welcome!

Ask the same question on the AR Double rifle section and you will be overwhelmed with advice:)

+1 I thought I had shot a bunch out of a .470NE (and I've shot several hundred rounds), but I'm a rank amateur compared to these guys. They've shot several THOUSANDS.

Thanks for that tip guys. I will direct Anthony to that site.

He needs to get the book'Shooting the British Double Rifle' by Wright. It's got lots of great information about all rifles with twin tubes.

I'm in the same predicament. Glad to have found some info.

As an aside, I just sized 20 pieces of new Jameison brass tonight. When I went to trim it I found that the pilot of my new Forster trimmer was extremely tight. When I measured the inside diameter of the neck I got .471" and the Woodleigh bullets run .473". The trimmer pilot went into the cases, eventually, but it was a bunch of work to get it to work. Anyone else have issues with tight necks in sized brass? The dies are Redding so that shouldn't be the issue.

Thanks Mike.

I have both the Redding dies and the Forster trimmer. I have not had that issue.

it is however really, really easy to deform the case mouth on the sizing die's expansion ball.

I just measured the trimming pilot: 0.471

a sampling of sized cases also measured 0.471 inner diameter and 0.473 right at the lip

the cases slipped right on though.

a sampling of Woodleigh softs measured 0.474 on the shank, 0.468 at the base(bevel)

Bob, I haven't tried Trail Boss in a NE cartridge yet, but it's popular for reduced practice loads, especially with cast bullets. It's loaded volumetrically, with the procedure for determining the appropriate load range at the IMR site http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf

If you read Wrights book he says that Trailboss will put you over pressure before you get to the regulated speed..
It's a big no no for double rifles!

Wildcatter,thanks. Anthony has dies on order and has read these posts by you folks as I email them to him. He says thanks and this has been very helpful...he is doing his homework and I will forward this on to him

Mike, he got the book on Amazon, I think. It is on its' way.Thanks again.

Reduced loads are a whole other can of worms. Some of the folks on the AR forum claim you can ring a barrel if you're not careful. I would urge anyone getting ready to spend the money on a double buy several books on the topic and talk to folks that have done this.