This will take a while… like several weeks… are you still with me?
To give some background: My CZ 550 in .458 Winchester has been in my possession for three years and a couple months. During that period I’ve tested 9 bullets, ranging from the 350 Hornady to the 500 Hornady. Well, let’s give the complete list: 350 Hornady, 350 Barnes TSX, 405 Remington, 450 Barnes X, 460 hardcast (Lyman-very poor results), 465 cast (fair results), 450 A-Frame, 480 Hornady DGX and 500 Hornady Interloc. Velocities for loads that gave good to excellent results ranged from just over 2000 fps (405 Remington) to 2750 fps for the 350 TSX.
The 500 Hornady saw most of the action early on and a total of 7 powders have been tried with this projectile, while H335 and H4895 proved to be best. H335 gave very consistent results and fine accuracy. Another distinct advantage of H335 is that it’s a ball powder, making it possible to get more into the case without undo compression. It is THE powder recommended by Hornady for their 500 grainer and shows best, or second best, in Barnes manual No.4.
Aside from the 460-grain Lyman hardcast, all of the accepted loads were near the top in velocity and granted an average of 1.25 MOA.
Bullets on hand that I yet want to give a try are: the 600-grain Barnes Original, 330-grain Barnes Banded, 325-grain Hornady FTX and 350-grain Speer Hot-Cor. The 300-grain TSX and 500-grain DGX are on my short list as well.
The bullets that have seen more action in testing are: the 500 Hornady, the 350 Barnes TSX and 465 cast, though cast bullets will not likely see much use in the future. As mentioned in these blogs, my North American big game load is the 350 TSX at 2750 fps. The rifle with that load has gone moose hunting (once–no moose sighted) and black bear hunting (one dead bear).
The rifle weighs in at 11 lbs even ready to go, with scope, sling and 4 cartridges loaded with the 350 TSX. It’s accurate and flat shooting to 400 yards or so.
Why am I putting the .458WM up against other Big Bores? Glad you asked as that gives me a wonderful opportunity to expound on it’s stirling qualities!
Before we do that, however, let me quickly add that this rifle with it’s hunting load inspires great confidience. It’s deadly (5890 ft-lbs at the muzzle), accurate (MOA), and with it’s superb balance and handling qualities I really wonder why I don’t use it for all my big game hunting! Or, even for medium game and varmints… seriously, as that would provide even more opportunities to carry it and get in more realistic practice.
My manual on the .458WM is primarily geared to handloading and using it for North American hunting, though it’s traditional settings are acknowledged as well.
As it has been emphasized in these blogs: The main advantage of .458-caliber over the other big-bore calibers is the vast array of bullets suitable for anything from white-tailed deer to the pachyderms. There are other advantages as well… which we’ll discuss later.
These are far from a complete picture!
Here are a few others:
Though loaded for the Ruger No.1, .45-70 IMP, they are entirely suitable for the .458WM… that is the 330 Barnes Banded, the 350 TSX and 480 DGX (Of course, the 350 TSX has already been emphasized as one of the best, and the 480 DGX has been tried in handloads. It too is an excellent hunting bullet for the heavies.)
There’s little hope that it might see African or Alaskan brutes, but the anticipation that it will be toted over ridges, across streams and meadows in search of bear and moose is a present reality. I’ll not try to justify my choice of such a firearm for Canadian fauna, or insult your intelligence by claiming it’s the best choice… NONE of us can justify hunting other than as a means of recreation in our day. But the physical and psychological benefits derived can’t be measured in dollars and cents, nor will Wall St., or Bay in Toronto sell shares in our hobby. In that light, no justification is needed to explain our use of a .308 Winchester, a .45-120 Sharps, a .338 Win Mag or a .458 Win Mag for our big game hunting.
But, when selecting a Big Bore, there may be practical reasons for choosing one over another.
That the .458 Winchester has advantages over a number of popular Big Bores is the argument to be presented over the next several blogs. And all that in spite of the fact that it’s not the most powerful or charismatic! But it does have charm and experience, and it will not break your bank account if you befriend it. As well, it has some attributes that some of the more charismatic types only wish they had! Don’t go away…
This gets interesting even if it doesn’t solve anyone’s personal relationship problems or the World’s economic crisis!
In our next session, the .458 Winchester Magnum will go head-to-head with an ole-timer, the celebrated .404 Jeffery! Don’t miss the action… According to some… that is a few-some, the antiquated .404 Jeff has had a resurrection of sorts, and is in better form today than ever in it’s heyday… We’ll see!
Best to ya!
BOB MITCHELL
Lovin' The Big Bang 
I enjoyed Bob Mitchell’s article “the Battle of the Big Bores, the 458 Advantage” I wonder if he would give me his reloading info for the 405 Remington bullet in a 458 Win Mag at 2000f/s?
Thank you
I have read your article, and amazed what the .458WM can achieve on velocities for the anticipation of longer shots on game. Ironically (I apologize if this is not a word reconized in Webster’s) I find all this trivia on the .458WM a little confusing – due to the fact that this cartridge is rated for 100-150 yards on dangerous and non-dangerous game.
In contrast, when you see velocities achieving 2780fps ratings when using 350 grain bullets. I can only assume the former yardage was based on 500 grain projectiles and so on. I have seen documentation, however, in seeing 500 grain bullets achieving 2200 fps (within reason) which in my book would classify this caliber an honest 250 yard gun. Since I have never owned a rifle in the .458 caliber, I see the advantages of a larger bore for greater terminal performance on any given game animal in question.
My interests and the reason for this post is of my intent in purchasing a rifle chambered in this caliber. I see it being a great bear and moose gun at any range. A much better candidate than the 45-70. What’s your opinion?