.500 Nitro Express & Superformance powder

[Carsten]

You should be aware that Quickload is designed for bottle neck cases and doesn’t work very well with straight wall cases.
This is said by the auther and it is also my personal experience.
The same goes for Gordons Reloading Tool.
In my experience, the pressure and velocity is calculated higher than it actually is.

 

[ftrovato]

You should be aware that Quickload is designed for bottle neck cases and doesn’t work very well with straight wall cases.
This is said by the auther and it is also my personal experience.
The same goes for Gordons Reloading Tool.
In my experience, the pressure and velocity is calculated higher than it actually is.

Thanks for your prospective. I’ve been on the fence in trying it since I’ve learned the powder is not temp intolerant. The risk of using in the hot sun in Africa also has me concerned with high pressure.

 

[Tanks]

Just use RL 15. You won't need more than 91 - 93 grains to come up with a load. It will help with recoil as well.

 

[Rare Breed]

Just use RL 15. You won't need more than 91 - 93 grains to come up with a load. It will help with recoil as well.

I use RL 15.5 and have been very pleased with results. It is super heat tolerant. I use Quickload for all my calibers as well with straight wall cases. My POV is it’s a wash given the introduction of a filler for my 470 and 500’s raise pressure QL might not calculate

 

[Rare Breed]

You’re lucky to get the author. When I had a problem their customer service told me she is unreachable so well done

 

[Rare Breed]

That’s the first time I’ve heard of that powder being used for 500ne. There will be more recoil with that much ejecta.

You better believe it!

 

[deewayne2003]

Thanks for your prospective. I’ve been on the fence in trying it since I’ve learned the powder is not temp intolerant. The risk of using in the hot sun in Africa also has me concerned with high pressure.

Funny I asked Ken about 3031’s temperature sensitivity, his reply…..

“It’s a hell of a lot less temp sensitive than the Cordite these guns were developed with! Besides 3031 is one of the most consistent powders made…. Hell I load everything up to 600ne with 3031, all this temperature sensitivity business is blow WAY out of proportion.”

 

[Rare Breed]

Funny I asked Ken about 3031’s temperature sensitivity, his reply…..

“It’s a hell of a lot less temp sensitive than the Cordite these guns were developed with! Besides 3031 is one of the most consistent powders made…. Hell I load everything up to 600ne with 3031, all this temperature sensitivity business is blow WAY out of proportion.”

I agree with Ken 100%. That is one very wise men who taught me a lot about DR’s. I had great success with 3031. The person who bought my WR 500 NE reloads and did not have the powder he needed and he drove over 6 hours to pick up the gun. He was such a prince and a gentleman I gave him an incredible deal on the powder that went with that gun. I then bought RL 15.5 given I heard great things about it. It had nothing to do with being unhappy with 3031 which is an excellent powder

 

[ftrovato]

I'm going to play with H4350, Superformance & IMR 3031. It would seem that regulation is not going to be a challenge with the Heym so far. Just shooting target reloaded with minimum powder charges at this point its shooting everything close to target in tight groups. I'll most likely settle with what gets decent velocity, on target at 50 yards with a decent group and the least amount of felt recoil. Fun figuring it out.

 

[Green Chile]

Nice. Which bullets are you using? Hunt plans for this gun?

 

[ftrovato]

Nice. Which bullets are you using? Hunt plans for this gun?

At this point I plan on hunting with Swift A-frames & Woodleigh Hydrostatically Stabilized bullets. I've shot some of the Woodleigh's and also some Hornady soft points. They shoot fine. I'm working on planning a trip for next year for Buffalo.

 

[Green Chile]

Excellent. I'm using the same bullets in my 500. Sounds like a great trip. Are you using any optic, red dot or using the iron sights?

 

[Inline6]

Funny I asked Ken about 3031’s temperature sensitivity, his reply…..

“It’s a hell of a lot less temp sensitive than the Cordite these guns were developed with! Besides 3031 is one of the most consistent powders made…. Hell I load everything up to 600ne with 3031, all this temperature sensitivity business is blow WAY out of proportion.”

Agree with his take 100% when you are talking 2ishMOA accuracy and not much further than 100 (maybe 200 and beyond with some doubles). When you start pushing beyond 500 yards it absolutely makes a difference. It is a different game all together and most recognize that. For the few that do not, shooting mid range (out to 600) and further. You want a temperature stable powder.

 

[ftrovato]

Excellent. I'm using the same bullets in my 500. Sounds like a great trip. Are you using any optic, red dot or using the iron sights?

Just getting aquatinted with the rifle now. I have a ghost site on it rather than a buck horn. I like it so far (works well with my aging eyes). But I have to say I'm curious about trying a red dot. Do you have experience with a red dot on double rifles? If so, what are your thoughts in comparison to open sites? thx

 

[Green Chile]

Good question on red dots. Your eyes can only resolve so many things at the same time. You can't focus on front sight and animal at same time. Young eyes can make it work pretty well to a point. Anyone can benefit from a properly mounted/sighted red dot. Those who especially benefit are those of us with aging eyesight. Many on this forum have said the red dot got them accurate again with their doubles. I'm experimenting now with a red dot on my 500ne. I have a lot of experience with them on AR's, bullseye match pistols, turkey guns, etc. After reading a lot of Craig Boddington's writings on the subject, I'm wanting to try a red dot on the 500 to see how it goes. I'm early in the experimentation but optimistic. Others say it has already made a world of difference to them. The main thing is getting it mounted low enough so you can properly mount the double...especially with this level of recoil.