Ultimate Guide to Hornady DGX Bonded .474" 500 Grain Projectiles for Dangerous Game Reloading

Are you a serious big game hunter or a professional outfitter who demands the absolute pinnacle of performance from your ammunition, especially when facing the world's most formidable and dangerous animals? Do you meticulously hand-load your cartridges to achieve unparalleled accuracy, consistency, and terminal performance? If you're seeking the ultimate component for dangerous game hunting, look no further than the Hornady DGX Bonded .474" 500 Grain projectile. This specialized bullet is engineered to provide devastating stopping power, controlled expansion, and maximum retained weight for deep, straight-line penetration through thick hide, muscle, and bone.

Why Choose Hornady DGX Bonded for Your Dangerous Game Ammunition?

When the stakes are high, and your life might depend on the reliability of your ammunition, there's no room for compromise. The Hornady DGX Bonded bullet, specifically the .474" 500 grain model (Hornady part number 4747), is designed precisely for these critical scenarios. This bullet isn't just a component; it's a meticulously crafted tool for ethical and decisive dangerous game hunting.

What Makes the DGX Bonded Bullet Ideal for Dangerous Game?

• Superior Terminal Performance: For dangerous game like Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino, or Grizzly Bear, a bullet must penetrate deeply and maintain its structural integrity. The DGX Bonded bullet is engineered for precisely this purpose. It ensures reliable, deep penetration necessary to reach vital organs, even when encountering heavy bone and dense muscle.
• Bonded Core Technology: The key to the DGX Bonded's exceptional performance lies in its proprietary bonding process. Unlike traditional bullets where the core can separate from the jacket upon impact, Hornady's advanced bonding technology permanently fuses the lead core to the gilding metal jacket. This robust construction guarantees virtually 100% weight retention, even after impacting tough hide and bone, leading to a wider, deeper wound channel.
• Solid Copper Shank: A unique feature of the DGX Bonded bullet is its solid copper shank. This unyielding base provides an incredibly stable platform for straight-line penetration, preventing deviation even when striking bone at oblique angles. This is crucial for reaching the vitals of large, powerful animals quickly and efficiently.
• Optimal Sectional Density: The .474" 500 grain configuration offers an incredibly high sectional density. This characteristic allows the bullet to overcome resistance more effectively, enhancing penetration and stability in flight, contributing to superior accuracy at typical dangerous game ranges.
• Precision Engineering for Reloaders: For the serious handloader, consistency is paramount. Hornady manufactures the DGX Bonded bullet to exacting tolerances, ensuring uniform weight, dimensions, and concentricity. This precision translates directly into more consistent ballistic performance and tighter groups, giving reloaders the confidence that their custom ammunition will perform flawlessly in the field.

Who Needs the Hornady DGX Bonded .474" 500 Grain Projectile?

This specific bullet is tailor-made for a distinct group of demanding users:

• Professional Hunters and Guides: When guiding clients or tracking wounded animals, immediate and decisive stopping power is non-negotiable. Professionals rely on components that deliver predictable results every time.
• Serious Big Game Hunters: Those pursuing the African Big Five, Alaskan brown bears, or other heavy, thick-skinned game understand that a standard hunting bullet often isn't enough. The DGX Bonded provides the necessary penetration and stopping power for these formidable creatures.
• Handloaders of Large Caliber Rifles: If you own a .470 Nitro Express, .475 Nitro Express, or similar large-bore dangerous game rifle, and you prefer to load your own ammunition for custom performance and cost-effectiveness, the Hornady 4747 projectile is an essential component.
• Individuals Prioritizing Safety in Dangerous Environments: Anyone operating in areas with potentially aggressive large animals, whether for research, conservation, or self-defense, benefits immensely from the peace of mind offered by Hornady DGX Bonded bullets.

Answering Key Questions About Dangerous Game Bullets and Reloading

What are the "best" bullets for dangerous game hunting?

The "best" bullets for dangerous game hunting prioritize deep penetration, high weight retention, and reliable terminal performance without over-expansion or fragmentation. The Hornady DGX Bonded series, particularly the 500 grain .474" projectile, excels in these areas. Its bonded core and solid copper shank are specifically engineered to maintain integrity through tough hide and bone, delivering a potent, straight-line wound channel necessary for quick, ethical kills on large, heavy-boned animals.

How do I choose the right bullet for big bore rifles like the .470 Nitro Express?

Choosing the right bullet for big bore rifles involves several considerations:

1. Caliber and Twist Rate: Ensure the bullet diameter (.474" for this Hornady projectile) matches your rifle's bore. Also, consider your barrel's twist rate to ensure proper bullet stabilization, especially for heavier projectiles like the 500 grain.
2. Intended Game: For dangerous game, deep penetration and controlled expansion are paramount. Bullets designed for thin-skinned game will often fail to perform adequately on thicker-skinned, heavier animals.
3. Bullet Construction: Look for features like bonded cores, solid shanks, or monolithic designs that ensure high weight retention and straight-line penetration. The DGX Bonded's construction exemplifies these qualities.
4. Reputation and Testing: Choose bullets from reputable manufacturers like Hornady, who rigorously test their products in real-world scenarios.

What is the role of a "bonded" bullet in dangerous game hunting?

A bonded bullet is critical for dangerous game hunting because it prevents core-jacket separation. When a standard cup-and-core bullet impacts a tough target, the lead core can separate from the jacket, leading to fragmentation and a loss of bullet mass. This reduces penetration and can result in insufficient energy transfer to vital organs. A bonded bullet, like the Hornady DGX Bonded, maintains its integrity, retaining nearly 100% of its weight. This allows for:

• Deeper Penetration: More mass means more momentum, driving the bullet deeper into the animal.
• Consistent Wound Channels: The intact bullet creates a wider, more consistent wound channel, maximizing tissue damage.
• Reduced Risk of Ricochet/Deflection: A stable, intact bullet is less likely to deflect off bone, ensuring it stays on its intended path to the vitals.

How does reloading with Hornady DGX Bonded bullets benefit hunters?

Reloading offers distinct advantages for hunters, especially those pursuing dangerous game:

• Custom Performance: Handloaders can fine-tune loads to their specific rifle, optimizing accuracy and muzzle velocity for peak performance in the field.
• Consistency: By controlling every variable in the loading process, reloaders achieve a level of shot-to-shot consistency often unattainable with factory ammunition. This is vital for follow-up shots on dangerous game.
• Cost-Effectiveness: While the initial investment in reloading equipment can be significant, the long-term cost of components, especially premium bullets like the DGX Bonded, is often lower than purchasing factory-loaded dangerous game ammunition.
• Availability: Sometimes, specialized ammunition for less common calibers can be hard to find. Reloading ensures you always have access to your preferred hunting rounds.
• Familiarity and Practice: The ability to reload allows hunters to practice more frequently with their specific dangerous game load, building confidence and proficiency for the real hunt.

The Engineering Behind Hornady's Unrivaled Performance

Hornady has been a pioneer in ammunition and component manufacturing for decades, and the DGX Bonded line is a testament to their commitment to innovation and quality. The development of the .474" 500 grain DGX Bonded bullet (Part #4747) involved extensive research, rigorous testing, and an understanding of the extreme demands placed on bullets designed for Africa's plains and North America's dense forests.

Key Design Elements and Their Impact:

• Precision Swaging: Each DGX Bonded bullet is precisely swaged to ensure uniform weight, concentricity, and consistency. This meticulous process eliminates variations that could affect accuracy and terminal performance.
• Cannelure: The deep cannelure around the bullet's circumference provides a secure crimping point for reloaders, preventing bullet setback during recoil or feeding, which is critical for consistent chamber pressure and safety in powerful dangerous game cartridges.
• Gilding Metal Jacket: The jacket is crafted from a durable gilding metal alloy, providing the optimal balance of toughness for penetration and ductility for controlled expansion.
• Non-Exposed Lead Tip: The design features a closed tip, meaning the lead core is fully encapsulated. This protects the tip from deformation during feeding in tube magazines or under heavy recoil, maintaining ballistic integrity and ensuring reliable performance upon impact.
• Rigorous Quality Control: Every batch of Hornady DGX Bonded bullets undergoes stringent quality control checks to meet the highest standards of performance and reliability. This dedication to quality is why Hornady is trusted by hunters and shooters worldwide.

Preparing Your Reloads for the Ultimate Test

For the discerning reloader, using the Hornady DGX Bonded .474" 500 grain projectile involves a careful and precise loading process to unlock its full potential. Always consult reliable reloading manuals (such as the Hornady Reloading Handbook) for specific load data, powder charges, primer recommendations, and overall cartridge length (OAL) to ensure safety and optimal performance for your specific firearm and caliber.

Consider these aspects when developing your dangerous game loads:

• Powder Selection: Choose slow-burning powders that are well-suited for large magnum rifle cartridges, providing consistent velocity and pressure within safe limits.
• Primer Choice: Large Rifle Magnum primers are often recommended for these large capacity cases to ensure complete and consistent ignition of the powder charge.
• Case Preparation: Meticulous case preparation, including sizing, trimming, chamfering, and deburring, is paramount for consistent neck tension and cartridge fit.
• Crimping: A firm crimp into the cannelure is essential to prevent bullet setback under recoil, especially in cartridges with heavy recoil, which can lead to dangerous pressure spikes.

By combining the precision manufacturing of Hornady DGX Bonded bullets with careful handloading practices, you can create ammunition that provides supreme confidence when facing the world's most dangerous game. These bullets are not just components; they are your assurance of ethical hunting and personal safety in extreme environments.

Invest in the peace of mind that comes with using Hornady's legendary quality. The Hornady DGX Bonded .474" 500 Grain projectile (Hornady Part #4747, UPC 090255047475) is available for your reloading needs at DEGuns.com, your trusted source for premium shooting and hunting components.

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Hornady DGX Bonded .474" 500 Grain Projectile Specifications

Feature	Detail
Manufacturer	Hornady
Product Line	DGX Bonded (Dangerous Game eXpanding)
Bullet Type	Bonded, Solid Copper Shank
Part Number	4747
Caliber	.470 Caliber / .474" Nominal Diameter
Bullet Weight	500 Grains
Quantity Per Box	50 Projectiles
Ideal Use	Dangerous Game Hunting (e.g., Elephant, Buffalo)
Construction	Bonded Lead Core, Gilding Metal Jacket, Copper Shank
Key Attribute	High Weight Retention, Deep Penetration
Availability	Exclusively at DEGuns.com
UPC	090255047475