Shooting the 458 Win mag, a step up in recoil.

[Fjold]

I got my 458 Win mag out today just to test it out and see that it worked. I loaded up some 300 grain Hornady HPs that I had on hand from my 45.70 and dropped 80 grains of H322 in the cases as a starting load.

What a difference! The recoil was a pretty big step up from the 300 grain load out of my 375 H&H that pushes 2,500 fps. The 458 should be pushing the same weight bullet at about 2,750 fps using about 20% more powder.

I shot three shots off of a set of shooting sticks at 50 yards and then shot three more off the tailgate of my truck. I can't complain how accurate the gun is and shooting the 450 and 500 grain bullets is going to be an eye opener for sure. I'm glad that I had the heavier barrel installed with the banded sight and barrel band swivel as the light barreled gun would have recoiled a lot more.

Here are my first six shots at 50 yards: The gun was bought as an elephant/buffalo gun to deliver heavy, deep penetrating bullets at short range so it's maximum range will be 100 yards or so.

[mark501w]

Went squirrel shooting with some friends, the caveat was I had to shoot a brand new .460 Wetherby . I told my buddie I would but, if I drop it it's on you! The gun was beautiful typical Wetherby streamlined light weight. I touched it off & it went up straight up 90 degrees my left hand came off the gun my right hand bearly hanging on to his rifle I hit what I was shooting at. Those .45's are super accurate.

[Spyder]

I need to take mine out and do some actual testing with it. It's a Steyr Type-S.
Very light, and the 510 solids I've got (and have only shot bowling pins and cottontails with it so far) are recoil monsters. Shooting off of a bench using a lead sled, the recoil engages the safety every shot.

I did just order a set of dies for it, and I believe they're sitting in my mail box right now.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

...someday....someday I *will* own a Safari rifle. For absolutely no good reason other than... Safari rifle.

[CSACANNONEER]

About 25 years ago I got to shoot a friend's .458. The recoil was a bit much but, the penetration into a steel swinger was impressive.

[G-Man WC]

Thanks for posting. Someday I'll get a big bore to play with. Taking a step up from a 45-70 makes my o-ring pucker.
HP's? You should be loading solids in that bad mamba jamba. Good luck with the new tool.
-g

[Whiterabbit]

man, and that accuracy right out the gate, too. I didn't nearly get that level of accuracy in my test loads in the wells. I'm shooting plain base bullets though, needs much more work than those easy to shoot jacketed stuffs! But still, clover at 50, what more can you ask for?

Simply excellent.

[Dutch Henry]

I have a .458 Ruger #1 that I shoot occasionally. Very accurate with iron sights. I shoot 400 grain bullets using IMR 3031. A Mag-Na-Ported barrel helps to control muzzle flip and moderate felt recoil somewhat.

[44fred]

Frank
Remind me never to piss you off. That's some very impressive groups with that monster.

[Fjold]

...someday....someday I *will* own a Safari rifle. For absolutely no good reason other than... Safari rifle.

Honestly, buy a 375 H&H, it's much more versatile. It's similar in trajectory to a 30.06 and the recoil is easier to deal with.

I built this rifle as a specialized elephant gun but the US Fish and Wildlife just banned the import of all elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and Tanzania. It's going to be hard to find another use for this thing.

[buffybuster]

Honestly, buy a 375 H&H, it's much more versatile. It's similar in trajectory to a 30.06 and the recoil is easier to deal with.

I built this rifle as a specialized elephant gun but the US Fish and Wildlife just banned the import of all elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and Tanzania. It's going to be hard to find another use for this thing.

Down Load it to warm 45-70 levels and have fun......

[Mute]

Honestly, buy a 375 H&H, it's much more versatile. It's similar in trajectory to a 30.06 and the recoil is easier to deal with.

I built this rifle as a specialized elephant gun but the US Fish and Wildlife just banned the import of all elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and Tanzania. It's going to be hard to find another use for this thing.

I agree. 375 H&H FTW. Of course, if you want to detach your retinas, I suggest you try a .460 Weatherby Magnum. I've had better treatment from the IRS.

[Whiterabbit]

Honestly, buy a 375 H&H, it's much more versatile. It's similar in trajectory to a 30.06 and the recoil is easier to deal with.

I built this rifle as a specialized elephant gun but the US Fish and Wildlife just banned the import of all elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and Tanzania. It's going to be hard to find another use for this thing.

for fun? 458 cal bullets are quite cheap compared to any other 4xx or 5xx cal rifle bullet in my experience with very few exception. As a handloader you've got yourself a bolt action 45/70 for plinking.

Sad, about the import ban.

[Spyder]

It's going to be hard to find another use for this thing.

I've cooked and eaten cottontails I shot with mine. Overkill, yes. But makes a good story, and the meat tasted just as good as if I had shot it with a .22!

[Cowboy T]

There was meat left after being hit by a .458?