She is beautiful but temperamental, help me select a .458 win mag load

[codofish]

I just purchased this CZ mauser 98 vz24 online. Its only flaw is that the magazine is not long enough for 450 or 500 grain bullets. Even a 400 grain barnes tsx load is too long. I have hand loads in Barnes 350 grain tsx, 400 grain Cutting Edge solids, and 400 grain Barnes Busters that feed and group well. It is one MOA at 100 yards with the Barnes 350s. Maybe even 1/2 MOA but I don't like shooting it off the bench enough to find out, I will be using the 350 grain tsx for a bison hunt in South Dakota in two weeks.

My question is this. Is it possible to safely use 400 grain or less solids in .458 win mag for elephants? If so what should the muzzle velocity be?

In addition to the Cutting Edge solids I think the Lehigh Defense 305 grain extreme penetrator bullet would cycle properly. Are they too light for elephant?

I have taken cape buffalo with 300 grain in a 375 H&H so I feel good about 350 grain 458 win mag loads for buff but not so much with elephant.

So is it possible to come up with a hand load in a lighter 458 win mag bullet that would work well and be safe for elephant?

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[roklok]

I do not shoot 458 (yet) but from reading the .458 thread on this forum it seems the consensus is with modern solids 400 grain is adequate for elephants. There are folks here that live and breathe .458, I imagine they will be along to give their input.

Read this :

N

Thread 'The “458 Winchester Magnum, all the cartridge you’ll ever need” thread'

Oct 26, 2024

Seeing as both the 500 Jeffery and 505 Gibbs cartridges both have dedicated threads, I thought I’d give Africas #1 underdog the same love.

We all know the history of the 458 WinMag and the teething issues it experienced in the early years. We also know those issues have been resolved with modern powders and bullets.

Modern factory ammo will produce 2,100-2,140 fps for 500 grain bullets out of a 24” barrel and reloading will easily let you surpass 2,150 fps.

Considering the vaunted 450NE produced these velocities (sometimes less in reality) with a 480gr bullet which proved more than...

• Northern Shooter
• Replies: 186
• Forum: .375 & up

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[375er]

Personally I would have a COMPETENT gunsmith redo do the magazine box so it shoots all appropriate 458 loads. Why have a race car with a horsepower restriction?

 

[CBH Australia]

Is the issue due to using the long for weight mono projectiles?

Is there another option that would suit your needs? Even if it’s just to test the system.