what is your fav cast bullet or jacketed in the 458 Win mag?

[saskgunowner101]

Hey guys, just curious what you're all using for cast bullets in the 458 Win mag? I've only got 2 molds, a 405 grain and 500 grain from Lee at the moment. The 405's seem to go haywire when you kick them too fast, and the 500 gc bullets are easy to make shoot well at pedestrian speeds 1,600-1,800 fps. What are you using? Any luck with a lighter bullet in the 300-400 grain range?

 

[Andy]

Hey guys, just curious what you're all using for cast bullets in the 458 Win mag? I've only got 2 molds, a 405 grain and 500 grain from Lee at the moment. The 405's seem to go haywire when you kick them too fast, and the 500 gc bullets are easy to make shoot well at pedestrian speeds 1,600-1,800 fps. What are you using? Any luck with a lighter bullet in the 300-400 grain range?

I use only cast bullets in my 45-90 for the lower pressure "fun" stuff, but still use gas-checked bullets for best results. The 458 Win Mag, with practically the same case capacity has seen only jacketed, mostly Hornady 350 gr bullets.

I think the trick for you is to use gas checked bullets and keep them under 1500 fps, or use plain-base at around the 1200 fps range. As you have experienced, a 500 gr bullet, even at 1600 fps packs a good wallop on the shoulder.

 

[Potashminer]

Take a look at jet bullets?? The throats are cut very different between 45-70 and 458 Win Mag, so different shape/style of cast bullets used - both same diameter and similar weight - just different shapes at the front end?? I do not know which the Lee moulds were made for - suspecting the 405 grain might be more for the 45-70? Worth looking in to?

 

[jethunter]

I've loaded the 485gr gc bullet to over 2000 fps with good results. Plinking load is 1700fps.

45-70 bullets will work better in 458 if you seat them further out, 458 does have a long throat.

 

[saskgunowner101]

Thanks for the input guys. I'd like to try going with a lower bullet weight if possible, the 350-400 grain range but with a gc. Not sure if such a beast exists. Trying to make it a little more practical in general lol

 

[jethunter]

Thanks for the input guys. I'd like to try going with a lower bullet weight if possible, the 350-400 grain range but with a gc. Not sure if such a beast exists. Trying to make it a little more practical in general lol

Accurate has molds for lighter bullets designed for the 458winmag.

 

[saskgunowner101]

Accurate has molds for lighter bullets designed for the 458winmag.

I'll check them out, thanks.