.458 Win Mag hunting in North America

I carried a 375H&H loaded with 260s, 270s, and 300s for moose and bear just because I wanted to try it on game. I did not need to do this as I have killed both species with a simple 270Win and 130 grains.
 
Rickib said:
I have a Mauser bolt action rifle chambered in .458 Winchester Magnum. I handload for this rifle and really enjoy shooting it at the range. At this stage of my life, I'm not likely to make it back to Africa for a safari. Are there any big game species in North America (other than the big bears) that could be reasonably hunted with a .458 Win Mag and not be considered overkill?
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Everything can be reasonably hunted with a .458 WM... including rabbits. You just have to load for the situation. I have taken coyotes, deer, bears and moose with various .458 rifles. I took a big Blacki bear this spring with my Ruger .458 carbine, using 400 grain Barnes Original SSP bullets over 65.0 grains of H4895 @ 2000 fps. Absolutely floored it on the spot. I have tried many different loads and bullets, and most work well from 300 - 500 grain. I have a good load worked up with the Barnes 450 TSX for buffalo, but will test in on moose this fall. I would stay away from bullets designed for the SoCom and lesser .45's... I tried the 300 NBT on a late season doe and it absolutely blew up... shrapnel everywhere inside, massive meat loss...failed experiment. 20250611_200335.jpg

Go ahead and use your rifle, just gear the load to the game.

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Evanguy said:
I haven't used it on moose yet but I plan to use my 500 Jeffery on biason if I ever get the draw. I may use it on blacktails this year just because I like the rifle and it's fun to carry. 600gr jacketed bullet at 2200fps. Should do less damage than my 303 British with a 150gr sst at 2500.

ITs just going to pass through the lungs and ribs and hit the dirt harder is all
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I had a Gibbs 505. Still wishing that I never sold it, liked 525 grn bullet over 140 grn of IMR 7828.
 
Wouldn't stop me. I have a #1H in 458 WM that would make a pretty good rifle out east here for whatever was wandering around. Could even scope it, if I was so inclined.
 
Back in the day, Trail Firearms in Edmonton has a Ruger No. 1 in 458 for $400, still kicking myself for not buying it.
 
I have a tang Ruger 77 and a #1 in .458 mostly shoot a 350 at 2350 so not bad at all and all that is needed for even our biggest bears. I also keep some full power 500’s handy just in case.
 
I have a Ruger number one in 458. Thing is like carrying around a truck axle compared to my number one in 303.
I treat it like a neat range toy and have loaded it with everything form 45-70, 45-90, to full house loads.
The mid range loads are plenty for enything I need to whallop with it. Especially with cast.
Ain't nothing going to limp away from a well placed 45-90 equivelant load with a 500 grain boolit.
And for anything armoured, armadillos on up, I'm sure the 500 grain solids will punch a through and through hole from
east to west or north to south...
 
^^ Nice rifle that .458 WM No.1-H

Got .450 Marlin No.1-S has medium contour 20" barrel it's a joy to carry . Close to .458 WM power level with its generous freebore.

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I have a Parker Hale in 458 WM. It's about 9lb. with scope and sling.
I like it cause, as others have said, I can load it to whatever power is needed.
 
I have a Winchester Model 70 Safari Express in 458 Winchester Magnum and have taken it with me bear hunting the last couple seasons (unsuccessful).

Using something like the Federal 400gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw seems like the perfect big game thumper here for NA.

I'd bring that load on a moose hunt, however this year I've opted for the 416.
 
Northern Shooter said:
I have a Winchester Model 70 Safari Express in 458 Winchester Magnum and have taken it with me bear hunting the last couple seasons (unsuccessful).

Using something like the Federal 400gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw seems like the perfect big game thumper here for NA.

I'd bring that load on a moose hunt, however this year I've opted for the 416.
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I believe I bought a box of those many moons ago at Chilcotin Guns. Actually, I bought all the 458 ammo that Al had in stock, plus I got ammo from the guy I bought the rifle from. I might have to drag that thing out if we ever get allowed back in the woods and try to clobber a bear with it.
 
I like a challenge at times also, haven’t gone that high up the recoil ladder but have done lots of archery. Well I have gone up to about 40 ft/lbs see below. Obviously fun is the goal in this choice vs filling tags as most important criteria.

There are guys out there that like to be abused, tied up and kicked in the nuts repeatedly even. Count me out. Although I did set up a lightweight slugger that with challenger slugs is around 40 ft/lbs recoil energy but I will only be shooting that sumb1tch where a specific season demands it. Otherwise I will not be choosing the abuse for fun or reliably filling tags. ;)

What's the ft/lbs of typical recoil on a 458 winny?
 
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458Win mags are also great for giving you Weatherby eyebrows. Our friend who ignored the comment that we just ran out of cast plinking reloads and the next one was a full house 500g factory load found out the hard way…I could post a picture of his mug but if he ever found out he would do unmentionable nasty things to us. Let’s just call him ‘Scarface’…
 
Had a few over the years, only carried one a couple of times never shot anything with one. Well a few varmits. 🙂 Currently a No.1 and a Safari Exrpess. Absolutely no such thing as overkill!?!? Big holes on both sides are good!
 
About to enter the world of .458WM ownership. A M1917 eddy rebarrelled with gain twist with a 23” pipe.

The intent is to have it scoped and reloaded for managing black or grizzly type game in elk country.

Question; I have. 2.5-10x50 30mm tube Nikon prostaff7 that has worked well on a 9.3x62 as a candidate.

I suppose the intent if to work well in thicker brush so low magnification and wide range of focus and good field of view are valued.

What are your thoughts on ideal optics for this purpose? Also going with NECG sites for it.
 
cody c said:
About to enter the world of .458WM ownership. A M1917 eddy rebarrelled with gain twist with a 23” pipe.

The intent is to have it scoped and reloaded for managing black or grizzly type game in elk country.

Question; I have. 2.5-10x50 30mm tube Nikon prostaff7 that has worked well on a 9.3x62 as a candidate.

I suppose the intent if to work well in thicker brush so low magnification and wide range of focus and good field of view are valued.

What are your thoughts on ideal optics for this purpose? Also going with NECG sites for it.
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On mine I had a fix 3x and then a 1.5-6 but I’m thinking of going back to the 3x or maybe a 4x, I like fixed scopes they are simple durable light and tough!
 
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