458 Lott

Rugerno1shooter · September 29, 2007, 09:01 PM

I’m looking at getting my hands on a .458 Lott. It seems that most of the data I’ve dug up on it indicates that you can achieve near 2400 FPS with a 500 grain solid. Does anyone have experience loading for this cartridge? Lighter loads (bullet wise)? It seems as though you can also push a 300 grain bullet around 2900-3100 (depending on barrel length). I know the Lott was essentially what the 458 Win mag was intended to be and supposedly the win mag could hit around 2200 fps with the 500 grain solid (nothing to smirk at really). But the Lott is supposed to be around 200 fps faster with equal weight bullets.

Thoughts? Experiences?

Thanks
Pat

-also if you have a .458 Lott and are interested in selling it-(Ruger #1s etc.) let me know! [email protected]

jcadwell · September 30, 2007, 01:51 PM

2400 fps is possible with a 500 grain bullet, but a longer barrel than a #1 will probably by needed. I've gotten about 2300 with 500 grain barnes bullets, and either 80 grains of H4895 or 87 grains of Reloader in a Ruger #1 Tropical. A longer barrel would speed things up some. Max loads are unpleasant. Take your Advil before you shoot.

I shoot 350 grain jacketed bullets over 65 grains of H4895 for a mild load. I also shoot cast Lee 500 grain bullets over 65 as well. Still some kick, but you can shoot a bunch.

Rugerno1shooter · September 30, 2007, 05:10 PM

It does seem as though you could really make it a flex cartridge like the
.45-70....Do you shoot it mainly offhand or off the bench? I'm guessing that the 2300 fps 500gr loads are nasty off the bench since my #1 .45-70 500 gr 1800fps loads are stout off the bench but not unmanageable at all. My biggest complaint with those is the fact that you have to compress the load a fair amount to get enough powder into the case. What is the max speed you've been able to get 300gr jacketed bullets up to?
When do you seem to get your best accuracy (bullet weight, speed, powder)?

Have you been able to get good accuracy out of lead bullets?

Thanks!
Pat

jcadwell · October 1, 2007, 07:48 PM

45-70 load data works great. Forgot to mention that. Try an old Trapdoor load if you want a powderpuff.

I haven't done any max loading for light bullets. I use the light ones and the cast bullets for mild loads to make it fun to shoot. I know there are people who have gotten nearly 3000 FPS out of 300 grain bullets. The ballistic coefficient is pretty bad with a bullet that short and fat though.

I use a LEE 459 Diameter 500 grain bullet mold. In order to get good accuracy I had to ream the mold from .457 (undersize) to .460". I've also tried paper patching with excellent results (1.5" at 100 yards), but it is too labor intensive most of the time. I shot that with a scope, which I mounted just to test out the gun. I don't normally have one mounted on it.

September 30, 2007, 05:10 PM	#3
Rugerno1shooter Senior Member Join Date: March 30, 2007 Location: VA Posts: 144	lott It does seem as though you could really make it a flex cartridge like the .45-70....Do you shoot it mainly offhand or off the bench? I'm guessing that the 2300 fps 500gr loads are nasty off the bench since my #1 .45-70 500 gr 1800fps loads are stout off the bench but not unmanageable at all. My biggest complaint with those is the fact that you have to compress the load a fair amount to get enough powder into the case. What is the max speed you've been able to get 300gr jacketed bullets up to? When do you seem to get your best accuracy (bullet weight, speed, powder)? Have you been able to get good accuracy out of lead bullets? Thanks! Pat

September 29, 2007, 09:01 PM	#1
Rugerno1shooter Senior Member Join Date: March 30, 2007 Location: VA Posts: 144	458 Lott I’m looking at getting my hands on a .458 Lott. It seems that most of the data I’ve dug up on it indicates that you can achieve near 2400 FPS with a 500 grain solid. Does anyone have experience loading for this cartridge? Lighter loads (bullet wise)? It seems as though you can also push a 300 grain bullet around 2900-3100 (depending on barrel length). I know the Lott was essentially what the 458 Win mag was intended to be and supposedly the win mag could hit around 2200 fps with the 500 grain solid (nothing to smirk at really). But the Lott is supposed to be around 200 fps faster with equal weight bullets. Thoughts? Experiences? Thanks Pat -also if you have a .458 Lott and are interested in selling it-(Ruger #1s etc.) let me know! [email protected]

September 30, 2007, 01:51 PM	#2
jcadwell Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2006 Posts: 166	2400 fps is possible with a 500 grain bullet, but a longer barrel than a #1 will probably by needed. I've gotten about 2300 with 500 grain barnes bullets, and either 80 grains of H4895 or 87 grains of Reloader in a Ruger #1 Tropical. A longer barrel would speed things up some. Max loads are unpleasant. Take your Advil before you shoot. I shoot 350 grain jacketed bullets over 65 grains of H4895 for a mild load. I also shoot cast Lee 500 grain bullets over 65 as well. Still some kick, but you can shoot a bunch.

October 1, 2007, 07:48 PM	#4
jcadwell Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2006 Posts: 166	45-70 load data works great. Forgot to mention that. Try an old Trapdoor load if you want a powderpuff. I haven't done any max loading for light bullets. I use the light ones and the cast bullets for mild loads to make it fun to shoot. I know there are people who have gotten nearly 3000 FPS out of 300 grain bullets. The ballistic coefficient is pretty bad with a bullet that short and fat though. I use a LEE 459 Diameter 500 grain bullet mold. In order to get good accuracy I had to ream the mold from .457 (undersize) to .460". I've also tried paper patching with excellent results (1.5" at 100 yards), but it is too labor intensive most of the time. I shot that with a scope, which I mounted just to test out the gun. I don't normally have one mounted on it.