| stevescg80 |
| (.224 member) |
| 19/02/05 01:09 PM |
500 NE
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A friend of mine has a very intriguing rifle and need load data a source to get cases it is stamped 500 nitro express
55 grns 440 grn bullet any info would be greatly appreciated
it is an alexander henry
| 4seventy |
| (Sponsor) |
| 19/02/05 02:46 PM |
Re: 500 NE
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In reply to:
A friend of mine has a very intriguing rifle and need load data a source to get cases it is stamped 500 nitro express
55 grns 440 grn bullet any info would be greatly appreciated
it is an alexander henry
Steve,
55gns 440 bullet IS NOT 500 NITRO EXPRESS!!
This is the load for 500 NITRO for BLACK POWDER!!
This was a LIGHT NITRO load equal to the old Black Powder load!
Do not attempt to load cartridges to 500 Nitro Express specs for that gun under any circumstances!!
Any 500 with 55gn 440 bullet stamping has only been proofed for the black powder and Nitro for Black Powder loads.
500 Nitro Express loads develop pressures WAY ABOVE what that rifle is proofed for!!
.........................................................
Graeme Wright has a load listed in his book "Shooting The British Double Rifle" for the 500 Nitro for Black load.
He suggests....
Bell cases.
95 grains Hodgden 4350 powder
1 X 1/2" felt wad over powder (no air space)
440 gn Woodleigh Bullet.
Federal 215 primer
Velocity...1,610fps
The pressure of this load ran 8.3 tpsi which is within proof.
Hope this helps, but try and get a copy of that book as you will find it very usefull.
| Marrakai |
| (.416 member) |
| 19/02/05 03:06 PM |
|
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Re: 500 NE
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Very little to add to Alan's sage advice, except that the cases and loading dies are exactly the same for the .500 BP Express, .500 Light Cordite or nitro-for-black load, and the .500 Nitro Express. (I assume none of the ancient balloon-head cases remain in general circulation, of course!) You will need to update your profile to include country of residence, stevecq80, before anyone here can help you with a logical source of supply.
Alex Henry may well have stamped 'nitro express' on the flats of the rifle in question, as it was early days and the full nitro load may not yet have gained full acceptance. Nevertheless, it is the load data that is crucial, as Alan pointed out.
The .500 Light Nitro is a marvellous cartridge with modern powders and specialist-bullets like the 440gr Woodleigh, greatly underrated by the big-bore snobs, and far more pleasant to practice with, or shoot for fun, than the full-nitro version.