458 x 2" American

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flip1

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Saw a gun in EE in 458 x 2" American.

I like big bore (444, 45/70, 450 marlin) but I don't know anything about the 458 american.

From what I can find, it's a shortened 458 Win Mag case, but it has been referred to as a sister to the 450 Marlin.

Just how close are they? The specs seem a lot hotter than the 450, but can a 450 be shot in the 458 american gun?
 
The biggest difference is the belt on the case, the one on the Marlin is alot higher/taller?? You will see much heavier loads for the American because it was/is chambered in bolt action rifles mainly and reloads in manuals are usually 10K psi/cup higher for carts. used in strong boltguns.
 
but can a 450 be shot in the 458 american gun?
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As stated above - "No, the belt won't fit." The 450Marlin belt is somewhat more than the standard .220" belt on all the rest including the 458x2". The Marlin 450 was designed so you won't be able to close the action on any standard belt magnum chamber.

I'd make sure the action is strong enough. That one on EE looked like maybe not - ??? Hard to tell from pics - so check it out. Not sure what it is.
 
Price and find brass first. .458 Win will do, but it's not cheap. It runs $41.50 per 50. The actual .458 American will be more, if you can find any. Easier to trim the half inch off the Winchester brass.
 
The one on the EE is built on a #4. I know that the LE action can handle .444 and hot 45/70, so I would assume that it can handle 458 x 2".

As for brass, I was reading on the net about cutting down 300 wm brass, so there's another option.

As for bullets, is it the same diameter as a .450?
 
The one on the EE is built on a #4. I know that the LE action can handle .444 and hot 45/70, so I would assume that it can handle 458 x 2".
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That's the action I thought I was seeing - just my opinion - nope.

But check with a few "real" rebarreling custom smiths though. It's not the same action for strength as the P14 or P17. LEs stretch with less pressure than the 458x2" was meant to run at anyway. If you intend to run at 3/4 throttle always then never mind.

I could be all wrong - but then again....

Same .458 dia bullets.
cd458x2.jpg
 
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I agree, although you need the same .458/.459" bullets, you will not be able to load this cartridge up to it's potential. I think you should keep your loads below heavy 45/70 loads, I don't think that this conversion was well thought out.
 
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