Lindcott Armory Rifle · SAAMI
.470 Nitro Express
The world's most popular African double rifle cartridge.
- Caliber
- 0.474″ · 12.04 mm
- Introduced
- 1907
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Dangerous Game
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1907
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- Joseph Lang / Various British makers
- Manufacturer
- Various British gunsmiths / Kynoch
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 120 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:21
- Primer
- Large Rifle Magnum
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 39,160 psi
- Eff. range
- 100 yd
- Max range
- 300 yd
- Recoil
- 65–85 ft·lb
Ballistics
- By real loads
- 2,150–2,150 fps · 32 loads
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open .470 Nitro Express ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 12.04 | 0.474 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 12.80 | 0.504 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 13.49 | 0.531 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 7.2° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 14.55 | 0.573 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 16.64 | 0.655 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.02 | 0.040 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 19.05 | 0.750 | ≈ |
| Case length | 82.55 | 3.250 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 101.09 | 3.980 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .470 Nitro Express is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 32 active loads across 14 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 34 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | Premium Trophy Bonded | 500 | Trophy Bonded Bear Claw | 2,150 | 5,131 | — |
| Norma | Oryx Bonded SP | 500 | Oryx Bonded SP | 2,150 | 5,131 | — |
| Federal | Premium Cape-Shok Swift A-Frame | 500 | Swift A-Frame SP | 2,150 | 5,131 | — |
| Nosler | Trophy Grade Partition | 500 | Partition | 2,150 | 5,131 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 500 | SP | 2,150 | 5,131 | — |
| Hornady | Dangerous Game DGX Bonded | 500 | DGX Bonded SP | 2,150 | 5,131 | — |
| Woodleigh | SP | 500 | SP | 2,150 | 5,131 | — |
| Hornady | Dangerous Game DGS FMJ | 500 | FMJ Solid | 2,150 | 5,131 | — |
| Federal | Premium Trophy Bonded Bear Claw | 500 | Trophy Bonded Bear Claw | 2,150 | 5,131 | — |
| Cutting Edge Bullets | Safari | 500 | MTH Solid | 2,150 | 5,131 | — |
| Hornady | DGX Bonded | 500 | DGX Bonded | 2,150 | 5,131 | — |
| Hornady | DGS | 500 | DGS FMJ-RN | 2,150 | 5,131 | — |
| Hornady | Custom DGX Bonded FP | 500 | DGX Bonded FP | 2,150 | 5,131 | — |
| Hornady | DGX Bonded | 500 | DGX Bonded FP | 2,150 | 5,131 | — |
| Federal | Premium Cape-Shok | 500 | Trophy Bonded BC Soft | 2,150 | 5,131 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .470 Nitro Express
12 models in the database chamber .470 Nitro Express. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Introduced in 1907 following a British government ban on .450 cartridges in Sudan and India (political, not ballistic reasons). The .470 was designed to replace the .450 NE with identical ballistics in a different bore diameter. Makers including Holland & Holland, Purdey, Westley Richards, and Joseph Lang all chambered for it. It became the undisputed king of African safari cartridges.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .470 Nitro Express use?
- .470 Nitro Express typically uses a 1:21 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .470 Nitro Express?
- .470 Nitro Express uses a 0.474″ (12.04 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .470 Nitro Express still in production?
- .470 Nitro Express is active; typical availability is common.
- What is .470 Nitro Express used for?
- .470 Nitro Express is primarily used for dangerous game.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 32 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →