Reduced power handloads for the 458 Lott

[jp29]

My goal was to produce safe hand loads that are comfortable to shoot from the bench for prolonged periods; will produce consistent, reasonably accurate, paper target groups and serve as suitable close range light game hunting loads.

Reference Data published by Hodgdon: IMR Trail Boss Reduced Loads For Rifle and Pistol

CZ 550 American Safari Magnum rifle - .458 Lott caliber. Nikon "Buckmasters" 1x20 scope sight in Talley QD mounts/rings.

Shooting from the bench under calm conditions - 80 F temperature - bright sunshine - Caldwell rifle rest. Bullet velocity measured using a ProChrono chronograph  positioned 15 feet from the rifle barrel muzzle. Hand loads using 20 grains of Hodgdon IMR "Trail Boss" powder; Hornady 458 Lott seven times fired brass (full length resized); Remington 405 grain SP jacketed bullets (uncrimped - no evidence of recoil set-back); Remington 9 1/2M magnum rifle primers.

50 yd groups:





1171 fps average velocity (twenty shot string) through the Chronograph set at 15 feet from the barrel muzzle.

Bullet seating depth (COL: 3.40"):    



I also use the same 20 grains of Hodgdon IMR "Trail Boss" powder with 500 grain Hornady DGS bullets. The following image Illustrates the bullet seating depth and also the bulky, "fluffy", "cheerio shaped", IMR Trail Boss powder characteristic:

 

The Remington 405 grain soft point bullets are quite inexpensive - frequently available at less than $30 per hundred.

Be sure to refer to the data published by Hodgdon relating to their IMR Trail Boss Reduced Loads For Rifle and Pistol prior to formulating your own handloads.

JP

    

[jro45]

I use IMR 4320 85.5grs for the 458 bullet and 83 1/2 grs for the solid. The 458 bullet goes 2280 fps
and the solid goes 2362 fps

[Dogshooter]

I bought my Rugerr 77 DGR and it came with 5 boxes of Nosler custom Factory loads with 500 gr Solids labeded "Elephant Loads". BUT it also came with 200 rounds of factory new, unprimed brass. I have not really enjoyed shooting the factory loads and besides, really should save them because you never know when the circus will come to town and I would probably be the only guy in SouthWest Wyoming with the ability of putting down a rogue elephant. Anyway, I have been looking for a good reduced load so I can shoot this rifle a little more often. Thanks for the load data and I plan to load some up this weekend.