Shot a danged ol'biggun today

[HeathSexton]

Big rifle that is. A guy I teach with bought a .458 Win Mag the other day in a Ruger 77 tang safety. No dinosaurus rexes around here, no elephants, no bufflers, he has always wanted one so he bought one. He showed up today and there was a field full of dreadful creatures out and about. There was a large chunk of red oak that had a crazy look in it's bark, some several used propane bottles that was all ganged up, and a large piece of black gum on the prowl. The results were that NOTHING here stopped the 500gr solids. We stopped a charge with the .458 WM from the chunk of red oak. It was crazy to see that big chunk of wood actually shake with the 510gr SP hit it.


Notes to self:

.458 Win Mags are cool.
.458 Win Mags shoot big heavy bullets.
.458 Win Mags are big rifles.
.458 Win Mags kick, don't hold it like a .223 because you will be bruised.
.458 Win Mags will leave big red marks all over your shoulder if you are not smart enough to really hold the rifle.
.458 Win Mags are cool.


If something was fixing to eat my arse I would be very glad I was packing the .458 WM. If I was after something that was not large, ferocious, and very interested in eating me I would select a different chambering.

 

[BK]

So, let me get this straight, .458s are cool?

I was on a doe hunt about 15 years ago, and one of the guys I hooked up with wanted me to use his Number 1 .458. I always kinda regretted not finding a target for it. Ended up whacking a whitetail with my .25-06 after he had to go.

 

[JD338]

Those 458's are cool. I shot one and the recoil was more of a big shove that a jab.
I really like the 458 Lott. Hope to shoot that one someday.

JD338

 

[jmad_81]

Love your notes!

 

[russ808]

YIKES

 

[IdahoCTD]

Those 458's are cool. I shot one and the recoil was more of a big shove that a jab.
I really like the 458 Lott. Hope to shoot that one someday.

JD338

The Lott is working it's way to a jab with the big shove. If your ever around these parts you can shoot mine. I think I even have some 600gr bullets for it :shock: .

 

[HeathSexton]

I still have the big red marks on my shoulder today.

All told I fired 9 rounds while standing and it was warm enough that my only shoulder protection was the Oneida Football t-shirt I was wearing for all 9 rounds.

It was more shove-ish than Mike Tyson right hookish. By round 9 I was tired of being shoved though. LOL :mrgreen:

 

[SJB358]

Man, that is cool Heath! I know I will not likely ever need a 458 for anything, but it would be fun to have one for them charging red oak blocks!! For now, I will have to keep the 45-70 stoked up for them! Great story, sounds like a fun day. Scotty

 

[Guy Miner]

Fun stuff. I haven't shot many of the big bores.

Some 20+ years ago I met a fellow who bought a .458 Win mag Model 70 for his big African hunt. He intended to sell the rifle after returning home, but liked it so much he just worked up some lighter 350 gr loads for it and used it for black bear and whitetail deer back east! We had some fun shooting his rifle with 350 & 510 gr loads.

Another buddy has a Model 70 in .450 Ackley - wow - I shot it a few times and that was enough! He hunted Africa and Australia with it.

The big bores offer a whole different class of recoil.

 

[DrMike]

They do have some punch, er, push about them. That's for sure. They do offer protection against maddened prairie dogs and red oak blocks, however. Good account, Heath.

 

[Woodycreek]

Those 458's are cool. I shot one and the recoil was more of a big shove that a jab.
I really like the 458 Lott. Hope to shoot that one someday.

JD338

The 458 Lott is one I would like to try also. Think I would be happy just getting to shoot a double rifle in 375 H&H or bigger.

 

[SJB358]

Those 458's are cool. I shot one and the recoil was more of a big shove that a jab.
I really like the 458 Lott. Hope to shoot that one someday.

JD338

The 458 Lott is one I would like to try also. Think I would be happy just getting to shoot a double rifle in 375 H&H or bigger.

I'm pretty sure it would get ugly around the Woodycreek household after such a test fire!

 

[Woodycreek]

I said shoot! Not buy and shoot a double rifle! That would be something sweet to have in the safe :mrgreen:

 

[SJB358]

Yeah, but I know happens when you just "shoot" something. Scotty

 

[Woodycreek]

That's all it took when i got hooked on suppressors. I hate it when you got me!

 

[FOTIS]

You guys need to shoot the 460 WBY! :shock: :shock: :shock:

 

[SJB358]

That's all it took when i got hooked on suppressors. I hate it when you got me!

I know, trust me, I know! It is easy to get "hooked" on stuff. Lever Rifles and M70's are going to be the death of me, but man, what a good way to go. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Interestingly enough, I did load development for one last spring. It shot amazingly tight groups. I can't say that sitting at the bench with that particular rifle was pleasant, but it was tolerable.

 

[SJB358]

You guys need to shoot the 460 WBY! :shock: :shock: :shock:

Fotis, that cartridge is a HORSE! I would love to fire one up though. The biggest rifle I have ever fired was the 50BMG in a Barrett. Next smaller was the 408 Cheytac, and then a few 338 Lapua's. When I was young, I got the chance to shoot a 458WM M70. That was a BLAST. That has kinda kept the spark of me wanting a Safari like M70. Don't really care which cartridge, 375, 416, 458---- Any of them would do. I have 0 need for one, but heck, I have 0 need for anything outside of the 270WSM and 35 Whelen in my safe. Scotty

 

[Woodycreek]

You guys need to shoot the 460 WBY! :shock: :shock: :shock:

Would be more than happy to help you burn some powder and chunk big lead down range.