% Increase of Recoil Factor -.375H&H over .458 WM?

dak47

dak47

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So was shooting my newish .375 CZ 550 and this was my 5th outing with it, recoil especially offhand isn't really that bad... What kind of a increase is involved with a .458WM? I would buy another 550 and drop it in another BC stock. My selection of bore size would then be complete but I still want something useable and useful!!

Dirk
 
If you reload, the .458 Lott is great. Even better if you also cast. 123 grain round balls @ 800 fps. for small game , 535 grain postell bullets @ 1100 fps for medium game and practice, to the full power loads of 500 grain jacketed @ 2300 fps. for the big stuff. Then other times you just have to take the 375 H&H.
 
I found the recoil sharper with the 375 over the push of the 458. I weigh in at about 240lb so I don't mind the recoil. Shot lots of 3.5 inch turkey loads I find thy hurt more them the rifles
 
In the same rifle the 458 will be a bigger push. Of course the two I had were different models and that, as we know, will affect felt recoil as well. As dutchhunter stated, I too found the 375 a tad sharper. I am 235lbs and I did not enjoy shooting either one more than twice!

cheers,
 
If you have the four five eight loaded up to where it's supposed to
be; you may as well say double the recoil. On paper it's not quite there, but it's a different world.

Some of the more anemic factory loads are lucky to make 1900 or so and they wouldn't knock
the candles off a cake.
 
Dogleg said:
If you have the four five eight loaded up to where it's supposed to
be; you may as well say double the recoil. On paper it's not quite there, but it's a different world.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I was going to say: It's a different world.

I'm fine with the .375 H&H. The .458 WM has me wondering if those 500 grain 2100 fps loadings aren't a bit more than I can take for long. Perhaps charging elephants and lions distract from heavy recoil. I couldn't feel much difference between the Lott and the WM in the Ruger RSM. Where the H&H was still fun, the .458 felt kind of brutal. I'm looking forward to trying lighter loads.
 
hoytcanon said:
If you are asking about recoil... don't do it.
Click to expand...

That's about right. Still, if you handload, you can begin at light .45-70 power levels and slowly work up the power scale as your comfort level allows. The key here is not to allow your rifle to hurt you, so keep your shot strings short, and take frequent breaks. If you scope the rifle, allow for plenty of eye relief.
 
Given the intended purpose of a big bore rifle, I prefer a shorter LOP for quicker handling. With the exception of big power scopes on target or varmint Rifles, I don't find the appearance of an ocular a couple of inches behind the cooking piece particularly appealing.
 
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I like Leupolds on the bigger calibers. Not long eye relief but comparatively long anyway! 4 inches and a bit worked out great with my 375 H&H and 375 Ruger, and the scopes themselves are quite light. The rifles were heavy enough already! I don't have a gunbearer yet ;)
 
I've had all 3 rsm's 375 is a joy to shoot, couple boxes of ammo at a time easy. 416 was surprisingly not bad either, i sold my 375 because it didn't feel very big bore , bought a 416, was a little step up but not much. 458 is a pretty big step up. After 10-15 rds I find I'm ready to call it quits. At least trying to shoot accurately.
 
medvedqc said:
always wondering why some people want to put long eye relief on those boomers .... get a longer stock lol ...

fit is very important as the recoil pad ...
Click to expand...


If the eye-relief is too short you'll eventually find a way to crawl the stock to see through it. Then you get to wear it home. :)

On the grand scheme of things the .458s recoil isn't that bad. I've been in car accidents that hurt lots more than that. 100 shot culling days were doable. Alas, such opportunities are hard to find at the moment.
 
I did about a dozen with 375 on the bench then proceeded to shot 1 off my buddy's 458. Its a bit more on the bench, but still shootable in low volume.
 
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