As written in my journal on the .458 Winchester Magnum, I don’t need to defend a rifle cartridge that has proven itself a million times (or some such number) on the African Continent against the most dangerous game it has to offer. But I will do it anyway.
Still, the main reason for bringing up this topic once again is because more shooters and hunters are turning to it in numbers that could not have been thought possible back in the year of its origin, 1956. And the vast majority of these will never set foot on African soil! Why? Because big-bore rifles are “in” and the .458 Winchester Magnum is the most practical of the lot.
During the month of February, I’ll attempt to provide some real answers to what appears to be, at first sight, an anomaly.
I’ll give the unvarnished rationale of “the multitudes” who shake their heads in unbelief that the .458 Win Mag is as popular as it really is… And then we’ll examine why the .458-caliber in a standard-length action deserves the moniker, “Classic Big Bore Magnum”.
But before we do any of that, I need to address an issue that bugs me! I’ll call it “The Scientist versus The Pragmatist”. And it is related to our past theme as well as the current one.
First off, I need to give an explanation of where I’m coming from. I make no pretense at being a scientist, nor the son of one. I took 5 math related courses in high school because I liked math and did quite well at it with averages of A+, but none was more advanced than basic trig. I did high school physics, trigonometry, chemistry, algebra and shop math. And I’ve added some on my own as needed. But of the various colleges, institutions and training centers I’ve attended — and completed courses in all, I’ve never taken another math course! It was all biblical and theological studies, languages, pastoral, Christian Ed., missions, music and psychological studies. But just before sitting down again to write on “ballistics” from your .458 Win Mag, I re-read, or tried to wade through a download on “Penetration” of bullets from someone who apparently has an advanced degree in physics or math, or both! It was an ordeal, but I managed to get the gist of it.
Why do I mention that in a theme related to the .458 Winchester Magnum? Because rifle ballistics are involved. But is it really essential that I know, or can explain in scientific theory what happens physically TO a .458″ – 400gr BULLET when it impacts a large game animal at 2000 fps…. or is it of more value that I empirically “know” what will take place to the GAME ANIMAL in question when a known 400gr expanding .458″ bullet impacts at 2000 fps in direct line with vital organs? That’s only one example among many (empirical = relying on practical experience without reference to scientific principles).
I think you know, as well as I, what the answer should be. Then, there are too many variables to be pontifical about it! Nevertheless, as stated in my last blog on Terminal Ballistics, the average hunter, even with modest knowledge and experience, can judge within 90 to 95% accuracy what the results will be if he does his part. Yes, even if he never completed one course in high school math, let alone a master’s degree in math!
At one time I enjoyed being an amateur astronomer. That is until I started reading the speculations of some professional astronomers! I built my own Newtonian type telescopes, some compound ones, that proved to be “as good as” the best commercial ones, and better in some cases. I enjoyed viewing the heavens, much as some enjoy viewing beautiful vistas on earth, or birding (which I also enjoy). But when the “pros” dissected the universe to mere energy without meaning, purpose or design, I gave up on the “pros” and continued viewing a beautiful creation!
That’s a further example of where I’m coming from. Animal life, and all life forms, can’t be reduced to numbers, or math! While I’m somewhat authoritative in my stance on ballistics, and math may be used to inform myself, I’m well aware that it’s just NOT that simple! I shot a bull moose 3 times to finish the job, and it wasn’t finished! My son shot it 2 more times and all shots were well placed…. and we were not using .223 Remingtons! I was using a .340 Weatherby and my son a .338 Winchester, all with 250gr bullets. And 3 of those shots were inside 35 yards! Yeah, my first shot would have finished things had we given the moose time to reflect on it!
So, anything I relate on the .458 Win Mag, includes my experiences with a couple and the #1 Ruger in .45-70 (Improved) because it too has .458 Win Mag ballistic capabilities. Though there are many variables, yet we do learn “stuff”, even from those apparent contradictions to the general rule.
My aim is to present the .458 Winchester Magnum as a very versatile and capable rifle cartridge for any and all big game throughout the world, but especially in North America for anything from wolf to moose to bison to the “big bears”. Then, let’s not forget the Plains Game of Africa, the water buffalo of Australia (or anywhere else)or exotic game found anywhere that legally may be hunted.
I’ll start by stating that the .458 Winchester is a capable moose-size game rifle to 400 yards! And it doesn’t need to weigh 11 lbs or beat you up in the process. It’s probably not the best mountain rifle for the likes of sheep, or groundhogs in a pasture, but aside from that it could be comfortably adapted for most things from whitetail to elephant. There are a lot of popular rifle cartridges out there about which it would be stretching matters beyond credulity if such a statement were made of them!
The secret of that versatility is found in the incredible number and variety of projectiles available to the handloader. For example, ballistics could imitate BP loads from single-shot Shapes in .45-70 to trajectories that mimic 180gr loads from a .30-06 by employing the right powders for the likes of the 300 and 350gr TSX’s.
So, why do some rifle enthusiasts bad-mouth the .458 Winchester Magnum?
When I joined some shooting and hunting Internet forums about a half-dozen years ago, I was somewhat pleased to share my experiences with other enthusiasts. That included a new big-bore rifle in .458 Winchester Magnum. While a majority seemed to favor my choice of a CZ550, yet many were outright critical (and some were downright nasty) that I didn’t get it in a .458 Lott! When I proceeded to defend my choice with what appeared to be sound logic, including the ballistics, the axes came out! Evidently, I was too naive in thinking my “cutting-edge” views and experience would find a joyous response! Why didn’t that happen?
Well, if you return next week, I’ll share the “unvarnished” truth about some “experts” theories and prejudices! But the good news is… THERE HAS BEEN A DRAMATIC TURNABOUT IN THE PAST FEW YEARS!
And what has brought that about?
‘Till the next…
Shalom
BOB MITCHELL