Help Identify .458 Bullets

RL338 · Apr 9, 2021

I got these with a lot of bullets and not sure what they are. They measure 2.265” ave. and weigh 480grs. My first thought was a Woodleigh but the cannelure is so low on the jacket. Any help identifying would be appreciated.

Guy Miner · Apr 10, 2021

I was thinking Woodleigh as well - but... I dunno. Interesting place for that cannelure.

Am wondering if it's more of a ring to help hold the lead core in the jacket on impact, and not for crimping. Seems way too low on the bullet for crimping. Unless the cartridge neck is crimped way down low instead of at the mouth of the neck? Who knows? Yellow plastic box reminds me of Speer.

Somebody's got the info!

Guy

michsteve · Apr 10, 2021

I never bought any but it could be a Hawk bullet.

Guy Miner · Apr 10, 2021

michsteve":1l3k1cag said:
I never bought any but it could be a Hawk bullet.

Hawk does list a 480 grain round nose soft point in .458" dia...

JD338 · Apr 10, 2021

My guess is Hawk.

JD338

RL338 · Apr 10, 2021

Yes the yellow box is a Speer , that’s how they were listed as 480gr Speer. The odd thing there is 1 600gr bullet (she’s a big one) in that box with the cannelure in the same spot. I never heard of Hawk bullets before and can’t seem to come up with a picture of one in this weight.
Thanks

SJB358 · Apr 10, 2021

It’d be cool to see one in some water jugs....

Guy Miner · Apr 10, 2021

Might just have been a Speer... I only have two older Speer manuals. I'll check them, but don't remember a 480 gr Round Nose.

This is kinda fun, thanks for the ID challenge!

Guy Miner · Apr 10, 2021

Crud, send an e-mail to Speer, and ask if these are their bullets!

Guy

RL338 · Apr 10, 2021

The box is from 400gr flat nose bullets. I have one email waiting for a response from Speer already

. These will be for the 458 Win Mag when I get around to it.
I’m guessing these are older because the box of Hornady bullets that came with them is old.
Just figure I could test the great minds on here :grin:

Guy Miner · Apr 10, 2021

LOL!

Great minds indeed!

Nimrod84 · Apr 12, 2021

You might want to take a look at http://www.shootforum.com/forum/bulletdb.html. No images, but decent collection of dimensions to work off of.

I would have to vote for a Woodleigh. Grove is pretty far back on current production but not that far back; the difference in grove position could result from production updates / vintage or maybe factory seconds. It looks really close to #24A at http://www.woodleighbullets.com.au/imag ... alogue.pdf while https://www.rebelgunworks.com.au/produc ... -rnsn-50pk shows the grove even higher up.

Norma bullets like the Vulkan sometimes have grooves rather far down the bullet. But they haven't made 458 diameter that I know of.

Bit of an odd question - is the bullet diameter different above / below the groove? Its extremely unlikely but the grove could also be an attempt at a dual diameter bullet for a loose bore. This is kind-of common in muzzle-loading where the bullets are knurled with a file - https://dougsmessageboards.proboards.co ... mzl-bullet. An experienced muzzle loader might try to pinch / knurl material close to the base to displace material / seal up a loose bore - http://www.corbins.com/images/hct-3b.gif