While the previous articles in this series have been mostly aimed at dispelling some myths and prejudices in regard to the history and usefulness of this classic big-bore in .458 magnum, this final section is about modern bullets and loads that could be employed to cover the full gamut of big game hunting anywhere. And that includes North American big game from whitetail to polar bears.
To a large extent, it’s growing popularity is due to a lot more exposure of this great classic to hunters who either own one or are contemplating a true big-bore rifle.
It’s evident that up until recent history only a few admitted to owning a .458 Win Mag, and most of those few had Africa in their plans. That’s not so anymore… many are not only admitting to the fact of ownership but also proudly talking about their loads for shooting anything from water jugs to hogs, and on up from there to grizzly and brown bear! In large part that’s due to better and more informed communication of facts on it’s usefulness for game from 200 lbs to 2500+ lbs that are found anywhere, as well as it’s more intended focus on African DG.
Here is a lineup of .458″ hunting bullets that I currently have in my “stash”… (500gr Hor. Solid; 480gr Hor. DGX; 465gr hardcast; 450gr A-Frame; 450gr X; 400gr X; 405gr Rem.; 400gr Barnes Buster; 400gr Hawk; 350gr TSX; 350gr Speer; 350gr Hor. RN; 350gr Hor. FP; 330gr Barnes Banded; 325gr Hor. FTX; 300gr Barnes TSX and 300gr Hor. HP). Now, what potential hunting would be suitable for them all? Well, to be honest, I have neither the economic power, nor time, to put ALL of them to their best use! Having admitted that, there is no big game — and some medium-size, like wolf — that I couldn’t legally hunt in Ontario if all I had was a suitable .458 Winchester! Not only that, but be comfortable and happy in the process of such hunts! In my situation, that could include the following: wolf, whitetail, bear, elk and moose. Then, if so inclined, with more money I could go to the next Province either to the left or right of Ontario and include caribou. Farther west and/or north, it could be bison and grizzly!
So, with one rifle, a standard-length bolt-action (.30-06 length) with a 22 -23” barrel, holding 4 down and weighing about 9.3 lbs all-up, with 4 rounds, scope and sling, I could be as happy “as a haddock in the Atlantic”, as I told a friend, and he replied that was the first time he’d ever heard that expression! Well, after all, I was born in a small fishing village on the East Coast of Canada, and we caught tons of haddock, and other fish! So, whatever you may think of that expression, it simply means that I’d be “a happy camper”! So there you have it in plain camper’s English!
Good bullets from 300gr to 350gr could handle any hunting of wolf, whitetail, black bear, caribou, elk and moose. For bison, grizzly and brown bear I’d use 400s. For African plains game? The same deal. Pachyderms? 450s and 500s. Snakes in the grass? A .22LR or 12-gauge.
The following 4 loads are actual that I developed for the CZ 550, followed by 5 others that together could cover all of the suggested hunts mentioned above. Of course, using the right bullet for the intended game is critical along with correct shot placement. Recoil for the 11.25 lb CZ 550 was based on a particular formula (there are several formulas for calculating recoil).
The final 5 are actual from my Ruger #1 in .45-70 LT (long-throat) and could simulate near identical loads based on the 9.5 lb M77 Ruger, 22″ barrel in .458 Win Mag that I once owned. Recoil would, of course, be less in the M77 as it was about 1 pound heavier.
CZ 550 American in .458 Winchester Magnum — 25-inch
11.25 lbs all-up
Winchester brass and WLRM primer.
1) 500gr Hor. RN//78grs H335//MV=2200 fps/5373 ft-lbs//COL=3.34″//1.25 MOA//Recoil=55 ft-lbs
2) 350gr TSX//80grs H4198//MV=2750 fps/5876 ft-lbs/COL= 3.45″/MOA//Recoil=51 ft-lbs
3) 350gr Hor.RN//75grs RL-15//MV=2112fps/3466 ft-lbs//COL=3.2″//MOA/Equals a 350gr load in 450 Marlin//Recoil=29 ft-lbs
4) 405gr Remington//75grs RL-15//MV=2081fps/3894 ft-lbs//COL=3.19″//good accuracy/equals a top load in a 22″ 1895 Marlin//Recoil=35 ft-lbs
The following 5 loads have been developed in my Ruger No.1 .45-70 LT and simulate .458 WM loads from a 22″ barrel. The actual results would be very similar:
Rifle: Ruger single-shot #1 with a long throat — 22″.
Weight all-up=8.6 lbs with 5 on the stock in holder
Primer: WLRM
1) 300gr TSX //68grs H4198//MV=2645fps/4660 ft-lbs//Recoil=45 ft-lbs//PSI=57,800 approx. (That’s PSI, not CUP!)Could safely add 100 fps.
2) 350gr Hor. FP or RN//57grs H4198//MV=2255fps/3951ft-lbs//Recoil=38ft-lbs/Good mild all purpose load to 200 yards.
3) 350gr Speer//65grs H4198//MV=2500fps/4857ft-lbs//Recoil=50ft-lbs. Consistently accurate at near MOA.
4) 500gr Hor.RN//75.5grs H335//MV=2200fps/5373ft-lbs//Recoil=70ft-lbs. Shot a black bear with this load at 40 yards. Also a coon at the same distance! (See Chrony)
5) 450gr A-Frame//76grs H335//MV=2317fps//5364ft-lbs//Recoil=67ft-lbs (see Chrony)
All loads are under 65,000 PSI average. Based on a 1981 NRA handloading publication, the “established maximum product average for factory ammunition is 56,200 c.u.p.” in the .458 Winchester Magnum. That’s 66,300 PSI. But none of the above loads are recommended to be used by anyone else, but simply to reveal the potential for employing similar bullets at approximately similar velocities under the conditions, and for the game, presented.
Use your own informed judgment and pay attention to ANY signs of excess pressure. I don’t claim responsibility for anyone else’s handloading procedures. These are presented as illustrations of the potential from the great classic .458 Winchester Magnum.
Now, let’s go shoot something!
Shalom
BOB MITCHELL