Hornady 8264 Dangerous Game 470 Nitro Express 500 gr Dangerous Game Solid 20 Bx/ 6 Cs

Hornady 8264 Dangerous Game Ammunition: Unrivaled Power for the World's Toughest Hunts

When the stakes are high, and the target is one of the world's most formidable creatures, every element of your gear must perform flawlessly. For the experienced hunter venturing into the realm of dangerous game, the choice of ammunition is paramount. It's not merely about firing a projectile; it's about delivering decisive stopping power with unwavering reliability. This is precisely where Hornady's 8264 Dangerous Game 470 Nitro Express 500 gr Dangerous Game Solid ammunition distinguishes itself, offering a meticulously engineered solution for life-or-death encounters with the planet's largest and most aggressive animals.

The Hunter's Ultimate Challenge: Mastering Dangerous Game Encounters

For dedicated big game hunters, particularly those pursuing the fabled "Big Five" in Africa—elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, lion, and leopard—or facing formidable adversaries like brown bears, polar bears, or dangerous bovines elsewhere, the demands on ammunition are extreme. These hunts require ammunition that provides deep, straight-line penetration through thick hide, dense muscle, and robust bone, ensuring maximum energy transfer and a swift, humane take-down. The Hornady 8264 in .470 Nitro Express is purpose-built for these very scenarios, designed to instill confidence in situations where there is absolutely no margin for error.

What challenges does a dangerous game hunter typically face?

• Impenetrable Defenses: Animals like elephant and buffalo possess incredibly thick skulls and dense skeletal structures.
• Aggressive Behavior: Wounded dangerous game can charge with terrifying speed and power, turning the hunter into the hunted.
• Dense Cover: Shots may be close-range, requiring immediate and overwhelming terminal performance.
• Follow-Up Shots: In a charge, precise and consistent regulation in double rifles is critical for rapid, accurate second shots.

The Hornady Dangerous Game series, featuring the 470 Nitro Express 500 gr Dangerous Game Solid (DGS) bullet, directly addresses these critical needs, providing a specialized tool for an elite class of hunting.

Understanding the Legendary .470 Nitro Express Caliber

The .470 Nitro Express is a classic big-bore cartridge, revered by professional hunters and safari enthusiasts for over a century. Developed specifically for double rifles, its immense power and relatively manageable recoil (compared to even larger calibers) make it an ideal choice for hunting Africa's most formidable beasts. It's known for its ability to deliver tremendous kinetic energy at close ranges, essential for immediately incapacitating charging animals. The Hornady 8264 ammunition leverages the full potential of this venerable cartridge, ensuring that its legendary stopping power is delivered with modern precision and consistency.

The Hornady Dangerous Game Philosophy: A One-Two Punch for Unmatched Performance

Hornady’s approach to dangerous game ammunition is rooted in decades of ballistic expertise and real-world hunting experience. They understand that different situations call for different bullet characteristics. While this particular product focuses on the Dangerous Game Solid (DGS), it's part of a broader philosophy often involving a "one-two punch":

1. DGX Bonded (Controlled Expansion): For the initial shot, designed for significant tissue damage and controlled expansion through vitals.
2. DGS (Deep Penetration Solid): For follow-up shots on charging game or when absolute, straight-line penetration through heavy bone and muscle is required.

The Hornady 8264, featuring the 500 gr Dangerous Game Solid bullet, is the quintessential choice for that crucial deep penetration. These monolithic, non-expanding bullets are engineered to drive straight and true through the densest obstacles, reaching vital organs even when striking heavy bone head-on. This unwavering penetration is the cornerstone of ethical dangerous game hunting, ensuring that the bullet reaches its intended target regardless of the animal's defensive anatomy.

Precision Engineering for Unwavering Reliability

Hornady's reputation for precision and quality is evident in every box of their Dangerous Game ammunition. Each component, from the brass casing to the propellant and the bullet itself, is meticulously crafted and rigorously tested to meet the highest standards.

• Carefully Matched Powders: One of the standout features of Hornady's Dangerous Game loads is the precise matching of powders to each specific load. This isn't just about achieving high velocity; it's about ensuring optimum pressure curves and, critically, consistent regulation in double rifles. For hunters relying on these traditional side-by-side or over-under firearms, consistent point of impact between barrels is non-negotiable for rapid and accurate follow-up shots. Hornady's commitment to this detail means you can trust that your rifle will perform as designed, shot after shot.
• Optimal Pressure and Velocity: The careful selection of propellants ensures that the Hornady 8264 470 Nitro Express 500 gr DGS achieves its advertised muzzle velocity of 2150 feet per second (fps) and a staggering muzzle energy of 5132 ft lbs. These figures are not just statistics; they represent immense kinetic energy delivered to the target, crucial for incapacitating dangerous game quickly and humanely.
• Robust Brass Casing Material: The brass casings are manufactured to Hornady’s exacting specifications, designed for reliable feeding, extraction, and consistent performance under extreme conditions. The durability of the brass ensures that primers are held securely and the powder charge ignites consistently, contributing to the overall reliability of the ammunition.
• Strict Quality Controls: From the moment raw materials enter the factory to the final packaging, Hornady employs stringent quality control measures. Each batch of Dangerous Game ammunition undergoes extensive testing to ensure uniformity in bullet weight, powder charge, velocity, and pressure. This dedication to quality means that every round you load into your rifle will perform identically, shot after shot, providing the confidence needed when facing down a charging buffalo or elephant.

The Hornady Dangerous Game Solid (DGS) Bullet: Unyielding Penetration

The 500-grain Dangerous Game Solid (DGS) bullet within the Hornady 8264 load is a marvel of ballistic engineering. Unlike expanding bullets designed for maximum tissue disruption, the DGS is engineered for maximum, straight-line penetration.

• Monolithic Construction: While specific materials can vary, these solids are typically constructed from a single, tough alloy. This prevents fragmentation and ensures the bullet maintains its mass and integrity as it drives through bone and muscle.
• Flat Nose Profile: The DGS often features a flat nose. This design helps prevent deflection when encountering tough hide or bone, ensuring the bullet tracks straight. It also transfers energy effectively, contributing to significant shock even without expansion.
• High Sectional Density: The 500-grain weight in the .470 Nitro Express caliber results in a high sectional density. This characteristic, combined with the bullet's robust construction, allows it to overcome resistance and achieve exceptional penetration depths, reaching vital organs from nearly any angle.

For situations requiring the most profound penetration—a brain shot on an elephant, a frontal shot on a buffalo, or an emergency stop on a charging animal—the Hornady 500 gr Dangerous Game Solid bullet is engineered to deliver.

Real-World Scenarios: Where Hornady 8264 Excels

Consider these critical moments where the Hornady 8264 ammunition proves its worth:

• The Charging Cape Buffalo: Often described as Africa's most dangerous animal, a wounded buffalo can turn into an unrelenting, deadly force. A solid bullet from a .470 Nitro Express is often the preferred choice for stopping a charge, delivering the energy and penetration needed to break bones and reach the central nervous system.
• The Elephant Hunt: For an ethical elephant hunt, precise shot placement and deep penetration are paramount. Whether aiming for a brain shot or a heart/lung shot, the Hornady DGS provides the confidence that the projectile will reach its intended target, ensuring a humane outcome.
• The Lion or Leopard Charge: While often hunted with expanding bullets, an unexpected charge from a lion or leopard, especially in thick cover, might necessitate the sheer stopping power and straight-line penetration of a solid if the shot angle is poor or bone must be broken to halt the animal.
• Alaskan Brown Bear Defense: For guides and hunters in bear country, the ability to stop a charging grizzly or brown bear is non-negotiable. The .470 Nitro Express loaded with Hornady DGS offers formidable defense, driving through thick muscle and bone to reach vitals quickly.

These scenarios underscore the critical need for ammunition that is not just powerful but also utterly dependable under extreme pressure.

Investing in Confidence: Why Choose Hornady for Your Dangerous Game Hunt?

Choosing Hornady Dangerous Game ammunition isn't just about buying bullets; it's an investment in confidence, reliability, and ultimately, safety during your most challenging hunts.

• Proven Performance: Hornady ammunition is trusted by professional hunters and guides worldwide, with a track record of success in the field. Their designs are not theoretical but are proven by rigorous testing and actual hunting outcomes.
• Ethical Hunting: Reliable, deeply penetrating ammunition contributes to ethical hunting practices by maximizing the chances of a quick, humane take-down, minimizing suffering, and ensuring the animal is recovered.
• Safety: In a dangerous game encounter, your life may depend on your ammunition's ability to perform. The consistency and stopping power of Hornady 8264 ammunition provide an essential layer of safety.
• Optimized for Double Rifles: The attention to powder matching and regulation makes this an ideal choice for the specific demands of classic double rifles, ensuring consistent point of impact between barrels—a critical feature for rapid follow-up shots.

When planning your next expedition to Africa, Alaska, or any destination where powerful, dangerous game roams, ensure your rifle is loaded with ammunition designed to meet the moment. Hornady 8264 Dangerous Game 470 Nitro Express 500 gr Dangerous Game Solid ammunition stands ready to deliver the performance you demand. This premium ammunition, packaged in 20-round boxes with 6 boxes per case, is an essential component of any serious dangerous game hunter's kit and is available for your vital hunting needs at DEGuns.

Product Specifications Overview

For your convenience, here is a detailed breakdown of the Hornady 8264 Dangerous Game 470 Nitro Express 500 gr Dangerous Game Solid ammunition: