Author Topic: Which .458???? (Read 1546 times)

Lawdog · « **on:** December 09, 2004, 11:45:41 AM »

If you could choose only one bolt action .458 rifle for dangerous game which cartridges would you choose? .458 Winchester Magnum? .458 Lott? .450 Rigby? .450 Dakota? .460 Weatherby Magnum? Or ?? My choice was/is the .450 Rigby. Versatility and less operating pressure are why I chose the Rigby. Lawdog

OrangeWing · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2004, 12:12:59 PM »

I love my custom .460. It is very accurate. You don't have to worry if you have enough gun. If I had to get rid of all my guns but a couple. The .460 would stay put.

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2004, 12:22:33 PM »

If I could afford it, I'd go with the Dakota built on a Dakota action. If I had to do it less expensively, I'd get the 458 Lott built on a CZ action that is tuned for reliability (or at least verified to be reliable).

VFR · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2004, 09:18:14 AM »

I'm with Orange. My .460WM is built on a Brno 602 action. I load 112gr of 4350 for 2370FPS with 500gr Hornady softs. Light load but would be perfectly satisfactory for DG. I will taking it to Africa May '06.

Minkman · « **Reply #4 on:** December 16, 2004, 02:11:54 AM »

I love my Brno Lott, however I might be swayed to a 450 No. 2 double or a 458 Express, if money wasn't an issue.

pc · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2004, 11:53:48 PM »

I have a cz 550 lott that was a win mag, and I like it....I also liek the .450 Rigby.

DUGABOY1 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 26, 2004, 08:55:28 AM »

Quote from: VFR

I'm with Orange. My .460WM is built on a Brno 602 action. I load 112gr of 4350 for 2370FPS with 500gr Hornady softs. Light load but would be perfectly satisfactory for DG. I will taking it to Africa May '06.

It is my considered opinion, the the above is the only way a 460 WBY Mag makes any sense! I the BRNO 602 is it is in a true Magnum CRF action, a must on a dangerous game rifle! The 2370 fps is perfect for the .458 dia 500 gr bullet, be it soft or solid, as long as the soft is a control expancion bullet. The 500 gr .458 diameter solid, at 2370 fps, will penetrate a Cape Buffalo end to end, from any angle. If this combination doesn't do the job, you need a larger diameter, and heavier bullet, not more speed! The old 450NE 3 1/4" double rifle round set the needed power, at 480 gr bullet at 2150 fps, 100 years ago, and buffalo haven't gotten any tougher! The only justification for the large WBY case is low pressure in the 2350 fps loads!

However, my favorite .458 for a bolt rifle is a 458 LOTT, though I'd rather have a 450NE 3 1/4" double rifle than any of them! The LOTT loaded to the 2350 fps,though 2150 fps is all that is needed, and the rifle, so chambered, can use 458 Win Mag ammo if your ammo gets lost in transite ! With any of the others, lost ammo will put you out of business in most places. There is a handful of 460 Wby rifles in all Africa, so the need for stores to stock 460 WBY ammo is simply not there. PHs hate the 460 WBY, as a rule, so do not use it. They also cast a sqinted eye at a client when he uncases a 460 WBY rifle in camp! :shock: I can guarentee you, he will make absolutely sure you can shoot that thing before he puts you on a Buffalo! :lol:

VFR · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2004, 06:11:16 AM »

Dugaboy,
Why is it that PH's cringe at the site of a .460WM? Does the .450 Rigby elicit the same response? The above rifle was built for me in 1989 and weighs in a tad over 10lbs with a 1.5-5 VariX III. It is on an MPI stock, bedded with two cross bolts. It has probably 300+ rounds through it and, with the light loads, is a pussy cat to shoot. My .416 REM MAG, however, clocks in at 7.5 lbs on a Sako AV and McMillan stock with the same scope and is miserable to shoot. Just too light. But on the other hand, it is a pleasure to carry.

OrangeWing · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2004, 09:23:26 AM »

I sure don't know WHY any PH would give youa funny look if you uncased a .460. I have a custom .460 that shoot lights out. Would I or do I shoot it ALL day long? NO, BUT I can shoot 40 rounds through it at a time without any problems. IF I was a PH what would make me give a funny look is the guy with a NEW rifle being pulled out of the case no matter what cal. it was. I guess it is different jolts for different people. My concern when a person pulled out there rifle from the case is: cal. size, condition of the rifle & #1 can I count on the man behind the rifle when he needs to make the shot.

Buckeye · « **Reply #9 on:** December 30, 2004, 05:37:56 AM »

I've got a 45/70 GG & a 375 H&H in a Mauser, hope I don't need anymore gun. BUT ,I'd think the 458 Win. would be nice, I just think attacks on the caliber is just awful.

Lawdog · « **Reply #10 on:** December 30, 2004, 11:24:59 AM »

Buckeye,

Quote

BUT ,I'd think the 458 Win. would be nice, I just think attacks on the caliber is just awful.

I agree. Way too many Professional Hunters and guides have used the .458 Win. Mag. with great success. With todays powders and bullets it is even better. Lawdog

Tc300mag1 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 30, 2004, 11:31:29 AM »

Thats tough a 450 460 or 458 lott all of the above?

Buckeye · « **Reply #12 on:** December 31, 2004, 07:53:55 AM »

Yep Lawdog , I think the 458Win. would benifit from useing 450 gr. soilds or even 450 gr. hard cast pushed to a little less VEL. With a .458 bullet you just need penatration. I'd like to see how a 300gr. Nosler would work.

Theres a dealer here in town that has had a custom Mauser in 458win. (un fired)for bout 2yr.s hes got $800.00 on it. Its gray parkerized and has leaf sights its certainly a high $$ gun. He's been wantin me to work up a trade for sometime.
A fellow drove 220 miles to look at it but picked up a custom 338 instead.
I'd say its worth every penny , but I've got 45/70 I really don't see any need guess alot of people feels that way. If it had a High grade wooden stock then maybe but its got a Black synthtic.
I don't see anything on this Island that a properly handloaded 45/70 couldn't easily take care of.(Or a properly handloaded 444)

pc · « **Reply #13 on:** December 31, 2004, 02:13:32 PM »

I reckon the .458 win mag should be used with something like the 450 gr Barnes X bullet or the woodleigh 480 gr soft. Then you have increased powder capaity and maybe hit 2200 fps.

The .458 winnie is a good round it was just hampered by the compressed loadings going stale........but winchester should have made it .458 lott length I suppose.

Buckeye · « **Reply #14 on:** December 31, 2004, 04:31:51 PM »

I still don't see the need for increased Vel. when your talking bout a rifle used a limited distances ,and already has the ability to totally penatrate thru a Cape Buffalo at almost any angle. i'm sorry but I think the 458winny is enuff gun even more now than in its heyday because of advancements in the tech. of bullets.
But I can see how the Lott would be better when seating longer bulletsand would solve the problem of compressed loads.
A 458winny can easily be rechambered for the Lott, if a person sees a need .

msorenso · « **Reply #15 on:** January 03, 2005, 04:06:37 AM »

since rugar make a 458 lott i would go with that. might as well get the extra slam over the winchester. if you need more very little can compete with the 460 wheatherby, no that is a real pounder. jusy my opinion