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?

 

[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.

 

[Ridge Runner]

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?

+1 on this particular rifle.

IMO, It seems, by your discrip, the action and mag are too short for caliber.

 

[Mountaineer]

I used 458 win mag 400 grain Woodleigh softs and 450 Cutting Edge solids for a Buffalo hunt in September. This combination has worked perfectly for 3 bulls now. I shot a kudu with a barnes 350 grain and I found the bullet on the off side shoulder skin.

 

[codofish]

I had a gunsmith look at it who said the action is short. I don't know a more experienced gunsmith but I do know a very competent hand loader which is why I wanted to see about a 400 grain load. The 400 grain Cutting Edge solids he loaded for me cycle great. 400 grain seems like a normal load for 416 Rigby and 404 Jeffery so is that weight good for .458 win mag for my purpose? Will the wider diameter of the .458 help or hinder penetration?

 

[BeeMaa]

Keep in mind that the VZ24 action was originally designed for the 7.92x57MAUSER that has an OAL of 3.228". The 458WM has an OAL of 3.340" that is 0.112" longer. It's possible that your action wasn't modified and was simply rebarreled. This would account for the problems you are having.

Having a 458WM and being limited to handloads of 350 grains does nothing but loose sectional density. You should be able to shoot up to 500 grain SAF's and 450 grain TSX without issue.

The correct way to do this is painful because it costs money and time, however you will be rewarded with a rifle that operates properly with the correct bullets. I encourage you to make the right decision and send this to a professional.

 

[Luvthunt]

Keep in mind that the VZ24 action was originally designed for the 7.92x57MAUSER that has an OAL of 3.228". The 458WM has an OAL of 3.340" that is 0.112" longer. It's possible that your action wasn't modified and was simply rebarreled. This would account for the problems you are having.

Having a 458WM and being limited to handloads of 350 grains does nothing but loose sectional density. You should be able to shoot up to 500 grain SAF's and 450 grain TSX without issue.

The correct way to do this is painful because it costs money and time, however you will be rewarded with a rifle that operates properly with the correct bullets. I encourage you to make the right decision and send this to a professional.

Ditto, nice rifle and worth the cost to fix.

 

[AZDAVE]

I had a VZ24 that was done correctly and feed 480-500 gr very well. A competent gunsmith should be able to fix your problem. There have been a number of elephants that have been shot with the CEB 450gr solids. You might want to send a DM to @michael458 He has done more testing with 458 bullets that most anyone on the planet.

 

[codofish]

Thanks, I just sent a DM to Michael.

 

[Nhoro]

Lead core bullets are shorter for the same weight. I would try Hornady DGS and see if they fit. You used to get 500 gr and 480 gr solids in DGS pre covid. I would also try Peregrine copper bullets. It is what I use, copper is also heavier than brass and the design has a blunt nose. I have used the 450 gr copper bullets in solid and soft- profile is the same.

 

[codofish]

Thanks Nhoro, I will give Peregrine a look.