trsmith1818
Beginner
- Jul 17, 2011
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I found a good deal on one of these caliber rifles and Im trying to justify "needing" one. What would I use this caliber for in the lower 48? Anyone have any experiences?
.458 Rifle
- Thread starter trsmith1818
- Start date
I guess it depends on which 458 your speaking of. I only have the 45-70, but use it in the deer woods, would love to take a hog or something with it someday. I would very much like to hunt elk with it as well in the future. Not sure which one you found, but I can't think of any bad .458 caliber rifles!
- Nov 4, 2004
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I say if you want it, get it.
You can use it for Grizzly bear, moose, elk with some of the 350 gr and 400 gr bullets. It would also make an ideal Safari rifle on your next deer hunt too. .458 cal holes are impressive. :wink:
JD338
You can use it for Grizzly bear, moose, elk with some of the 350 gr and 400 gr bullets. It would also make an ideal Safari rifle on your next deer hunt too. .458 cal holes are impressive. :wink:
JD338
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,312
- 5,978
It will work on anything you want to use it on. Certainly would work well on elk and moose below the line. There is no doubt it would be fun to use on deer, black bear, coyotes, ground squirrels, etc.
REDGREEN
Handloader
- Mar 30, 2006
- 276
- 1
Grab it! I miss mine. Load with WW748 and have a blast.
I wouldn't hesitate any .458 cal. if it was your desire. Whether it be something like the .40-70 or the larger capacity rounds, it is such a versatile caliber. Loaded many ways with many different bullets, and not necessarily always to full potential, makes sense in a lot of ways. From coyote's on up, there is a lot of merit for having a .458 caliber!
Oh, and as I looked back and seen Mike's comment on squirrels, I do know of a cast bullet get together, where every year the shooting is on Prairie Dogs. It is not uncommon to see Marlin .45-70's to .45-110's Sharps used, and for some long ranges too.
Oh, and as I looked back and seen Mike's comment on squirrels, I do know of a cast bullet get together, where every year the shooting is on Prairie Dogs. It is not uncommon to see Marlin .45-70's to .45-110's Sharps used, and for some long ranges too.
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- #8
trsmith1818
Beginner
- Jul 17, 2011
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who makes good bullets in .458? Nosler only has a 500gr
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
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Years ago I met a fellow who bought a .458 Win mag for his one and only trip to Africa. He made the trip, got his buffalo and everything else he wanted. Couldn't stand to part with the rifle after the hunt.
Used it for years on east coast whitetail & black bear with more modest loads.
Check out the .458" bullet tests here on this forum, there are some good ones tested.
Link: viewforum.php?f=63
Remington makes a 405 gr FNSP for the .45/70, and it's a good bullet at modest velocity. Accurate.
I haven't been too impressed with how lightly constructed many of the 300 gr .45/70 bullets are - but they tend to be accurate, mild kicking and effective on deer.
Nosler used to make an outstanding 300 gr Partition. It's been gone from the lineup for a few years, but there's a 300 gr BST that JD338 and others have used with success.
Hornady makes a couple of good 350 gr .458" bullets.
Speer makes a very accurate 400 grainer, and a 300 gr bullet that's pretty tough.
Swift makes an expensive, but very good 350 gr "A-Frame" which is sort of a heavy-duty Partition in concept.
There are also some excellent commercially cast bullets suitable for the .458 Win.
Enjoy!
Used it for years on east coast whitetail & black bear with more modest loads.
Check out the .458" bullet tests here on this forum, there are some good ones tested.
Link: viewforum.php?f=63
Remington makes a 405 gr FNSP for the .45/70, and it's a good bullet at modest velocity. Accurate.
I haven't been too impressed with how lightly constructed many of the 300 gr .45/70 bullets are - but they tend to be accurate, mild kicking and effective on deer.
Nosler used to make an outstanding 300 gr Partition. It's been gone from the lineup for a few years, but there's a 300 gr BST that JD338 and others have used with success.
Hornady makes a couple of good 350 gr .458" bullets.
Speer makes a very accurate 400 grainer, and a 300 gr bullet that's pretty tough.
Swift makes an expensive, but very good 350 gr "A-Frame" which is sort of a heavy-duty Partition in concept.
There are also some excellent commercially cast bullets suitable for the .458 Win.
Enjoy!
- Thread starter
- #11
trsmith1818
Beginner
- Jul 17, 2011
- 202
- 0
Its a .458 Win Mag...thanks for the info
Guy nailed it, with the right loads, all of those would be alot of fun in your rifle and allow you to use it for a variety of game. I would imagine a 350 at around 2200-2400 would be pretty decent to shoot in a nice bolt rifle and offer a whole lotta smack down as well. There are a ton of good jacketed bullets and even more of the great hardcast lead bullets that would be fairly cheap to shoot and offer alot of capability as well.
What model rifle is it?
What model rifle is it?
- Oct 30, 2004
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Can I justify a 458 lott? No, but it is fun!
trsmith1818":388ekixv said:
This can be very versatile, going from mild to wild.
Any of the bullets Guy mentioned will work. I found the 405 Rem. a bit tougher than the Speer 400 gr.. But then at a modest velocity of 1600-1700 fos or so, the Speer 400 is a hammer on deer and hogs. I would go to the 405 Rem and up to 2000 fps or so maybe more for bigger game, and would be my choice for elk and moose. The lighter 300 grainers available loaded modestly, make good deer bullets as well. And while spendy, the Swift sounds to be excellent, and good do it all bullet. I haven't tried Hornady's, although I hear their 350 is meant for the higher velocities. The 500 gr NPT loaded to full potential, is saved for the great bears. Barnes also makes some "originals" that work good at modest velocities.
Then there is the cast. There are good commercial sources as Guy also mentioned. I however prefer to cast my own, just because most commerical caster's cast hard normally, and that isn't always nescessary or wanted. Then too with cast fit is king, and in with that I get molds made for a particular set of specs for a given firearm. But that's almost a complete other hobby you may not wish to get into.
But while on that subject matter, I have 3 mold for this caliber. However, if I was to just have one, this one with the 350/420/465 gr. weights, can be made and loaded to do just about anything one wishes. Then too, if speed is your thing, a good cast can be driven faster than any jacketed of comparable weight.
And I can make them for cost around 6-10 cents (cheaper with all scrounged lead), making for lower cost shooting :mrgreen:
Just some of my thoughts and or opinions on the matter.
(Sorry guys, the Galena God made me post this again :twisted: )
Woodycreek
Handloader
- Aug 2, 2007
- 2,240
- 0
FOTIS":vmfz9e8z said:
Why would you ever want to try to justify getting a 458 Lott? :lol: I know i wouldn't even blink if a good deal is found on one. Seems like I have to many other needs for my play money right now! Spotting scopes, rifle scopes, Idaho tags, and camping gear cost just a bit. One day I plan on having a "big" 458.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,746
- 5,817
I think a lot of us "Rifle Loonies" (to use a term from John Barsness) are simply fascinated by having and shooting a truly powerful rifle.
Many years ago, about 30, I passed on a great looking Ruger Number One in .458 Win mag. My wife and I were driving coast to coast, towards our new duty station back east and I ran across that thing in a gunshop when we stopped overnight in Jackson, Wyoming. Even then I wanted a Number One, and knew I could handload the .458 Win down to .45/70 power levels if desired - but I didn't buy it. My wife wanted me to get it. I wondered as I was driving east if I should have bought it - and 30 years later, looking back, I'm sure I made the most practical decision, but dang, it would have been a lot of fun to load, shoot and hunt with for all these years.
Guy
Many years ago, about 30, I passed on a great looking Ruger Number One in .458 Win mag. My wife and I were driving coast to coast, towards our new duty station back east and I ran across that thing in a gunshop when we stopped overnight in Jackson, Wyoming. Even then I wanted a Number One, and knew I could handload the .458 Win down to .45/70 power levels if desired - but I didn't buy it. My wife wanted me to get it. I wondered as I was driving east if I should have bought it - and 30 years later, looking back, I'm sure I made the most practical decision, but dang, it would have been a lot of fun to load, shoot and hunt with for all these years.
Guy
I'm with the others and think a .458 WM would absolutely make a decently practical rifle for the lower 48. I bought a like new 45-70 #1 a few years ago at a killer price. I kinda wish now that I'd bought a #1 in .458 WM instead, looking at what more one might do with it. That 45-70 has become a favorite, now so doubt it will ever move out. But, I'd be just as happy if it read .458 on the barrel. :mrgreen:
