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natman · December 7, 2011, 04:54 AM

The words "458 Win Mag" and "Long Range" don't belong together at all. The 458 is designed as a short range hammer for hunting BIG, dangerous game. The velocity is too low and the bullets too big for anything resembling long range work. Long range with 500 grain RN bullets is 100 yards.

A 350 grain spitzer will make it a longer range proposition than 500 grain round noses, but a MV of 2400 fps and modest BC will put it in a class with such "very long range" cartridges as the 180 grain 30/40 Krag and the 150 grain 30-30.

With a BC of .278 and a MV of 2400 and a 100 yard zero, the bullet will have dropped a manageable 6 inches at 200 yards and an not-so-manageable 23 inches (almost two feet) at 300. By 350 yards it's dropped a full yard. You won't want for power, but you'll want to keep the distances moderate.

Plug the numbers in here and you'll get the picture.

I used to hunt a bit with a 458 WM using a 350 grain RN before spitzers were available. It dropped a deer and a pig with authority, but I suspect you'll find that a 458 Mag rifle gets a bit heavy to drag up mountainsides in elk country. At least I did.

December 7, 2011, 04:54 AM	#3
natman Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2008 Posts: 2,607	The words "458 Win Mag" and "Long Range" don't belong together at all. The 458 is designed as a short range hammer for hunting BIG, dangerous game. The velocity is too low and the bullets too big for anything resembling long range work. Long range with 500 grain RN bullets is 100 yards. A 350 grain spitzer will make it a longer range proposition than 500 grain round noses, but a MV of 2400 fps and modest BC will put it in a class with such "very long range" cartridges as the 180 grain 30/40 Krag and the 150 grain 30-30. With a BC of .278 and a MV of 2400 and a 100 yard zero, the bullet will have dropped a manageable 6 inches at 200 yards and an not-so-manageable 23 inches (almost two feet) at 300. By 350 yards it's dropped a full yard. You won't want for power, but you'll want to keep the distances moderate. Plug the numbers in here and you'll get the picture. I used to hunt a bit with a 458 WM using a 350 grain RN before spitzers were available. It dropped a deer and a pig with authority, but I suspect you'll find that a 458 Mag rifle gets a bit heavy to drag up mountainsides in elk country. At least I did. Last edited by natman; December 7, 2011 at 08:22 AM.