Which .458 cartridge

I had a chance to take out my left handed .458 LOTT a few weeks back... what a sweet cartridge. Recoil is noticeable but truthfully not outrageous by any stretch (I weigh about 130lbs). I've shot .300 WSM rifles that felt far worse to shoot than the Lott did. As others have said, the .458 Lott allows you to use .458 WinMag in a pinch, and your options for hand loading are wide open - light loads in the 250-300gr territory, up to 500-550gr. if you so desire.
 
Has anyone tried downloading the .458Lott to .45/70 level ballistics? How was the accuracy? I'm thinking maybe rifles designed to shoot the .458Lott 500grain bullets have too tight a rifling spin for lighter projectiles...
 
Caboose said:
Has anyone tried downloading the .458Lott to .45/70 level ballistics? How was the accuracy? I'm thinking maybe rifles designed to shoot the .458Lott 500grain bullets have too tight a rifling spin for lighter projectiles...
Click to expand...

Never downloaded the two Lott rifles I had, but I have downloaded the .458 WM many times successfully with 4895. I prefer to fill more of the case for best consistency though... and have used fillers and bulky powders like Trail Boss.
 
hoytcanon said:
I got my Ruger M77 Mark II Stainless .450 Marlin back, and it achieved what I was looking for, namely a handy, easy-carrying, mild(ish) bear thumper. The rifle is well balanced with the Bob Jury barrel cut to 20", the 12 twist is tighter than necessary but it is what I could get. The rifle came in at basically 9 pounds even, in the B&C stock and with three rounds loaded. The recoil is very pleasant, more of a push than a kick, with a pleasing mellow "boom." The scope is a Bushnell AR 1-6x24 Illuminated, I was looking for a quick acquisition optic, and this one is quite nice for the money. I did a somewhat rough zero at 50 yards and found the rifle very enjoyable to shoot. There was initially a little hitch in the feeding, not enough to jam up but irritating. The lip on the flat meplat on the Speer 350's was catching on the way up, so I turned them into RN's with some judicious filing and they fed and ejected perfectly there after. For SAG, I put out a box and quick stepped perpendicular while cycling and firing through a magazine and things went splendidly... no issues with the 2.700" loads in the long action. Mission accomplished... I saw 15 bears last night including one in my boat, we are fully underway and batting "1000" thus far.
Click to expand...

The Ruger M77 .450 Marlin, taking care of the BBQ for the summer...
 

Attachments

  • 20230608_110947.jpg
    20230608_110947.jpg
    133.3 KB · Views: 65
remington jim said:
Nice Kill on that Blackie . Head Shot ? what was the load used from the 450 M ? RJ
Click to expand...

No, that is just a splash from the plethora of blood... top of the heart and lungs... very little meat damage, only went 20 yards and piled up, silent in a couple seconds. Same load, 350 grain Speer, with the meplat filed down to a round nose. I picked up four boxes of Hornady 350 RN's... save myself a couple hours on the file.
 
The problem with the 450 marlin is finding the brass, the other poster who said he found 300 brass must have got the last of it
I’ve been looking and have come up short. I did hear that Hornady was planning to do another run of it so hopefully that happens
 
Deathrawt said:
The problem with the 450 marlin is finding the brass, the other poster who said he found 300 brass must have got the last of it
I’ve been looking and have come up short. I did hear that Hornady was planning to do another run of it so hopefully that happens
Click to expand...
I sent a message to Hornady yesterday, they said they do not make 450 Marlin brass but they have a run of ammo scheduled for August.
 
Deathrawt said:
The problem with the 450 marlin is finding the brass, the other poster who said he found 300 brass must have got the last of it
I’ve been looking and have come up short. I did hear that Hornady was planning to do another run of it so hopefully that happens
Click to expand...

All due respect, herein lies the attraction of .458x2 American.
Conversion brass is plentiful & cheap.
Only minor labour is required.
 
Just about a perfect bear gun... happy with the results.
 

Attachments

  • 20230613_214149.jpg
    20230613_214149.jpg
    145.2 KB · Views: 78
Brutus said:
Strongest 45-70, 450 Marlin, 458x2, virtually identical ballistics. All three have great utility.
Click to expand...

What bullets are you using and what is your barrel length? I ordered a barrel and found 458-2 dies, I read that you are using IMR 3031. I am looking for a recipe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom