Rifle · SAAMI
.470 Nitro Express
The world's most popular African double rifle cartridge.
- Caliber
- 0.474″ · 12.04 mm
- Introduced
- 1907
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4"
- 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
- 146 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Large Rifle Magnum
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 41,000 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 100 yd
- Max range
- 3850 yd
- Recoil
- 65–85 ft·lb
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .470 Nitro Express. Parent case: .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4".
Performance
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
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
2 reloading powders listed for .470 Nitro Express, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
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
Lineage
Necked down to .475
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 1:20 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.
- What is .470 Nitro Express based on?
- .470 Nitro Express is derived from the .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4" case.
- What are the best powders for .470 Nitro Express?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .470 Nitro Express include 203-B, Norma MRP.
Sources & provenance
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
- Manufacturer Federal Premium — Safari Trophy Bonded Sledgehammer Solid 470 Nitro Express (P470T2) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Norma — Norma African PH Woodleigh Soft Nose 470 Nitro Express 500 gr (art. 20112052) · representative_gun, grain_ballistics archived
- Manufacturer Nosler — 470 Nitro Express 500 gr Solid Safari Ammunition (SKU 40632) · representative_gun, grain_ballistics archived
- Manufacturer Buffalo Bore — 470 Nitro Express 500 gr Trophy Bonded Sledge Hammer Solid · representative_gun, grain_ballistics archived
- Manufacturer Hornady — 470 Nitro Express 500 gr DGX Bonded (item 82631) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 31 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
