.470 Nitro Express
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.470 Nitro Express: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Double Rifle |
| Primer Type | Large Rifle |
| Used For | Big Game Hunting, Dangerous Game |
| Case Design | Rimmed, Straight |
| Year Introduced | 1907 |
.470 Nitro Express: At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Extremely powerful for large and dangerous game
- ✔ Excellent stopping power for big game animals
- ✔ Reliable performance in adverse conditions
- ✔ Relatively low chamber pressure for its power
- ✔ Well-balanced for quick follow-up shots
Cons
- ✘ Significant recoil, challenging for inexperienced shooters
- ✘ Expensive ammunition
- ✘ Limited availability of firearms chambered in this caliber
- ✘ Heavy rifles, typically weighing 10-12 pounds
- ✘ Overkill for most hunting situations outside of dangerous game
.470 Nitro Express: The African Big Game Cartridge
The .470 Nitro Express is a powerful big-game rifle cartridge developed in the early 20th century. It was designed specifically for hunting dangerous game in Africa, such as elephants, rhinoceros, and cape buffalo. Known for its immense stopping power and reliability, the .470 Nitro Express has become a classic choice among professional hunters and safari enthusiasts.
History and Development
The .470 Nitro Express was developed in 1907 by Joseph Lang, a renowned British gunmaker. It was created as a response to the need for a cartridge that could effectively stop charging dangerous game at close ranges. The cartridge was designed to be used in double rifles, which were favored by professional hunters for their quick follow-up shot capability.
The .470 Nitro Express was based on the earlier .450 Nitro Express case, necked up to accept a .474-inch diameter bullet. This design allowed for a heavy bullet with high sectional density, which is crucial for deep penetration on large, thick-skinned animals. The cartridge typically fires a 500-grain bullet at velocities around 2,150 feet per second, generating over 5,000 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.
Throughout the 20th century, the .470 Nitro Express gained a reputation as one of the most reliable and effective cartridges for dangerous game hunting. It was widely adopted by professional hunters in Africa and became a standard caliber for safari hunting. The cartridge's effectiveness led to its use not only for hunting but also as a backup weapon for game wardens and rangers in areas with dangerous wildlife.
Despite the development of newer cartridges, the .470 Nitro Express has maintained its popularity due to its proven track record and the availability of quality ammunition. Modern advancements in bullet design and powder formulations have further enhanced its performance, ensuring its continued relevance in big game hunting.
Ballistics and Performance
The .470 Nitro Express is renowned for its exceptional ballistic performance. Firing a 500-grain bullet at 2,150 feet per second, it delivers a massive 5,132 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. This combination of heavy bullet weight and high velocity results in deep penetration and substantial tissue damage, essential for quickly stopping large, dangerous animals.
The cartridge's relatively low velocity compared to some modern magnum cartridges contributes to its manageable recoil, considering its power. This allows for quicker follow-up shots, which can be critical in dangerous game situations. The .470 Nitro Express also maintains its energy well over distance, retaining over 3,000 foot-pounds at 100 yards, making it effective at typical hunting ranges for dangerous game.
Timeline of .470 Nitro Express Development:
.470 Nitro Express Performance
The .470 Nitro Express offers exceptional performance characteristics that have made it a go-to choice for dangerous game hunting. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Bullet Weight | 500 grains Standard bullet weight for the cartridge |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,150 fps Velocity with standard 500-grain bullet |
| Muzzle Energy | 5,132 ft-lbs Massive energy for stopping large, dangerous game |
| Effective Range | 100 yards Optimal range for dangerous game hunting |
| Penetration | Deep penetration on large animals Capable of penetrating thick hide and heavy bone |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .470 Nitro Express loads.
.470 Nitro Express: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .470 Nitro Express ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Elephant Hunting | 0-40 | Optimal range for stopping power against the largest game |
| Buffalo Hunting | 0-80 | Effective for dangerous game at slightly longer ranges |
| Lion Hunting | 0-100 | Provides substantial knockdown power for big cats |
| General Dangerous Game | 0-150 | Versatile for various large and dangerous African game |
| Target Shooting | 0-200 | Limited use due to recoil, but capable of accuracy at this range |
Note: The .470 Nitro Express is primarily designed for close-range encounters with dangerous game. Its heavy recoil and bullet drop limit its practical use at longer ranges. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations when hunting dangerous game.
Applications for .470 Nitro Express
The .470 Nitro Express is a specialized cartridge designed primarily for hunting dangerous game in Africa:
Caliber Comparisons: .470 Nitro Express
The .470 Nitro Express is a powerful big-game rifle cartridge. To understand its capabilities, let's compare it to similar large-bore cartridges:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .470 Nitro Express with other large-bore rifle cartridges. (Based on a 12 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .470 Nitro Express with other large-bore rifle cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .470 Nitro Express with other large-bore rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .470 Nitro Express with other large-bore rifle cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density of .470 Nitro Express
The .470 Nitro Express is a powerful big game rifle cartridge. It was designed for hunting dangerous game in Africa and India.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .470 Nitro Express | 500 | 0.341 |
| .470 Nitro Express | 525 | 0.358 |
Note: The .470 Nitro Express has a high sectional density, which contributes to its excellent penetration on large, thick-skinned game animals. The cartridge's large diameter and heavy bullet weight result in significant stopping power and deep penetration, making it suitable for hunting dangerous game at close ranges.