.470 Capstick (A-Square Data)

.470 Capstick (A-Square Data)

The .470 Capstick is a modern dangerous-game cartridge developed by Col. Arthur B. Alphin of A-Square in 1990. It was created to deliver heavy-caliber performance exceeding many traditional Nitro Express cartridges while maintaining the reliability and versatility of a bolt-action rifle platform. Named in honor of famed hunter and author Peter Hathaway Capstick, the cartridge reflects A-Square’s philosophy of combining proven case design with increased bullet diameter and energy for use on the largest and most dangerous game animals in the world.

Based on the belted .375 Holland & Holland Magnum case, the .470 Capstick is necked up to accept .475-inch bullets, significantly increasing frontal area and impact potential. The parent case was chosen specifically for its long-standing reputation for reliable feeding and extraction under harsh field conditions. By retaining this case design, the .470 Capstick offers smooth function in properly configured bolt-action rifles while delivering substantially greater striking energy than smaller calibers. Standard A-Square data typically features 500-grain bullets driven at approximately 2,300 to 2,400 feet per second, producing energy levels exceeding 6,000 foot-pounds. These ballistics place it firmly among the most powerful cartridges ever designed for use in magazine rifles.

The cartridge was intended exclusively for dangerous-game hunting, particularly for species such as Cape buffalo and elephant where deep penetration and immediate stopping power are critical. Bullet construction plays a vital role in performance, with non-expanding solids commonly used for maximum penetration and controlled-expansion softpoints employed when greater tissue disruption is desired. The combination of heavy bullet weight, large diameter and high velocity allows the .470 Capstick to deliver straight-line penetration through dense muscle and bone, making it well-suited for close-range engagements where reliability is essential.

Recoil is significant and must be carefully managed through proper rifle design, including adequate weight and stock geometry. Rifles chambered for the .470 Capstick are typically built as purpose-driven tools rather than general sporting arms. Despite its heavy recoil, the cartridge offers advantages over traditional double-rifle cartridges by providing multiple shots from a bolt-action magazine, increasing capacity without sacrificing power or performance.

Although it remains a relatively specialized cartridge, the .470 Capstick has earned a reputation among experienced hunters and rifle enthusiasts for its effectiveness and mechanical reliability. As part of A-Square’s line of proprietary cartridges, it represents a modern evolution of the classic African stopping rifle concept, combining proven case geometry with increased bullet diameter and energy to meet the demands of dangerous-game hunting.

Source: A-Square Load Data