460 Weatherby Load Data 500grn CE Solids and N550

FireFlyFishing said:

Why don't you consult with Cutting Edge?

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K.E.C. said:

106 - 107gr. With 26" barrel. MAX.
From 104 do 1/2gr increments till you see pressure. Maybe 2550 to 2600fps.
All rifles are different be careful.
What is your oal. These numbers are with
3.750 oal. Hope this helps.

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jstanfor8 said:

Thanks, I'll try that. Oal on these loads has been 3.663 per the load data from Vihtivuori. I suspect with a oal of 3.750, the crimp would be on the bottom cannelure.

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skipglo said:

I don't even see 550 listed with the 460. N160 and H4350 will get you there. 103 grains is a light load in just about any powder for 460. If you are new to loading the .460 you may need to use a drop tube on the top end loads

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jstanfor8 said:

N550 was recommended by Vihtavuori itself--I reached out to them and asked and here is what they sent (they say it's close to N150 but has better pressure for the same velocities). The second set of load data came from Cutting Edge for the 470 grain raptors:

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jstanfor8 said:

Hey guys, anyone have any load data for Cutting Edge 500 grain safari solids and Vihtavuori N550?

Vihtavuori sent me load data stating 103.2 grains is the max and would yield 2,487 muzzle velocity, but at 104 grains, I'm still about 100 FPS less…

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AussieWriter said:

First post here, but it is important to use powders that generate full ballistics and that usually comes from powders that mostly fill the case. N550 has a burning rate between H 4350 and Win 760 which chronograph very close velocities in the .460 case with the same charge weights.

That velocity of 2487fps is way less than the maximum velocity for 500's but using either 760 or H4350 with 115grains will yield 2500fps in a Weatherby chambered rifle.

If the N550 powder is rated accurately, and they will likely vary batch to batch, that 115grain charge will be fine. I'd recommend starting a little lower if this is a new and unfamiliar rifle with around 110-112 grains to get aquainted with the powder, bullet and load.

2500fps is an accuracy node with 500 grain bullets but 150fps+, lower than the potential of the cartridge. Using H4350, I have loaded up to 123 grains for close to 2700 fps but that is a lot of kinetic energy and is taxing to poorly designed bullets causing excessive expansion and reducing pentration on larger animals.

I recommend looking for an alround heavy load for big bears moose and African dangerous game using homogenous copper bullets of 400-450 grains as the recoil is reduced and surprising accuracy is maintained. The faster IMR 4064, Rel 15 and Varget work best with these lighter weights.

Cloverleaf groups are very common with this cartridge and I have put 5 into .6 MOA to verify accuracy.

Always use a Federal 215 primer as it was created for this cartridge. Good luck with it and don't be afraid to ask more questions.

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