500 NE 3" RELOAD DATA
Retrieved: 08/24/2016
Last Post: 05/25/08
I am new to DR game. Need help with an IMR 4831 load for the Woodleigh 570 gr. Read that 110 grains fills the case properly. Need confirmation and help with a reduced, lighter bullet load.
CptCurl
12/06/07
The load I am positively happy with in my Merkel is 105 grains IMR 4350; Fed 215; Woodleigh 570 grain soft. My brass is some HDS and some Jamison. I find no appreciable difference between the two. If you load solids you should reduce the powder a bit and work back up to regulation and standard velocity. (Wright's book should be your starting point if you are new to loading for double rifles.)
That load is straight from Graeme Wright's book and is one of the loads he had pressure tested in Birmingham. The pressure is significantly below the original cordite load.
It gives proper velocity and regulates perfectly in my rifle. The powder fills the case nicely. No wads are needed. You can see one of my regulating targets from several years ago on this thread:
Merkel Doubles
You might want to try that load, although it's not IMR 4831.
A friend bought a Merkel .500NE at the same time I did. For some reason his rifle didn't particularly care for my load. He developed a load using IMR 4831, and it regulates perfectly in his rifle. I don't remember his charge right off the top of my head. I do know that he has a bit of trouble getting all the necessary powder into the case. His load is heavily compressed. To get around that problem he uses a drop tube to charge his cases. Much more fussy than my load, I'll say.
Getting back to my loads, I have had splendid luck using the Cast Performance 525 grain bullet over my same powder charge of IMR 4350 and the same primer. The load regulates perfectly, and it kills cleanly. That has become my standard load. I'll only use the Woodleigh if I ever hunt buffalo, etc. I wouldn't call it a "reduced load" though. I can't tell the difference shooting it from shooting the Woodleighs.
I hope this is helpful to you. Keep us posted with your progress.
400NitroExpress
12/07/07
In his "Big Bore Cartridge Load Data Collection", Pierre van der Walt recommends IMR 4350 for the .500 also, with a max charge of 105 grains. For those who want to use IMR 4831, he suggests using a long drop tube and vibrating the case to settle it.
A load of 110 grains IMR 4831 with a 570 grain bullet sounds like a stiff max load. Start well below that and work up shooting over a chronograph. From the K-gun's 23.6" barrels, I'd stop at 2075 or so.
paradox_
12/07/07
Ditto
I use 106/2209 (4350) and Fed 215 in both Bell or Bertram cases in my WR. Duplicates original load perfectly in 26 inch barrels. (2100fps)
Back off 2 grs to start with for the solids. 2209 fills the case perfectly with no compression. Get yourself a copy of Graeme's book and all will be revealed.
4seventy
12/07/07
Like others have said, 4350 is the go for the 500 3" NE.
ELECHASER
12/07/07
Is it possible to use 435 gr cast performance bullets with the IMR4350? Or do you have to stay close to 500 grainers for POI regulation, etc?
Ripp
12/07/07
Here are loads that I use in the .500 NE (NOT NOT NOT .500 BPE), but I have no way of knowing if they would be safe in your gun or not:
1. 570 grain Woodleigh .510" soft, 110.0 gr IMR 4831, F215 primer, BELL brass
2. 570 grain GS Custom FN .510" solid, 103.0 gr H4350, F215 primer, BELL brass
3. 500 grain cast lead flat nose .512" bullet, 45.0 gr XMP5744 powder, Bell brass
CptCurl
12/07/07
Sorry, I can't help you with that. I have not tried any bullets other than the two I mentioned. I see no reason to go lighter.
There's certainly no harm in trying. If it doesn't work out, all you have lost is the cost of a few bullets. I'd hate to reveal how many boxes of bullets I have bought that still have 94 bullets in them.
500NE_Classic
05/25/08
570 Woodleigh soft, 106 gr IMR4831, Fed 215GM, A-Square case , 2129fps avg., Chrony Gamma @ 10ft, Group for both barrels 8" at 100 yds, 4 shots total, 2 shots, Right barrel @10:30 and 1 3/4 " sub-group,2 shots left barrel @4:00 and 1 1/4" subgroup. Allowed for cooling in between shots.
570 FMJ, 106gr. IMR4831, fed 215GM, A-Square case, 2161fps, 4 shot group 6.5" ,2 Right 11:00 and 12:00, 1 5/8" subgroup, 2 Left 1 in bull @ 4:00 and 1 just outside at 5:00, 7/8" subgroup
600gr NEI 60051-GC, 22BNH, 105gr. AA-MRP (no longer available), Fed 215, A- Square case, 2080fps, 10 inch 4 shot group, 2 right @ 9:00 and 11:00, 3" subgroup, 2 left @ 4:00 and 5:00 2" subgroup
Factory A-Square Monolithic, 12" group, (assuming bull is 9" directly above target bull), Right 2 at 10:00 & 11:00, 6" subgroup, Left 2 @ 3:00 & 4:00, 4" subgroup, CHRONY 2212,2219,2226,2231