Should I keep this 458 Win?

[cash_tx]

Got this 458 Win Mag out of the safe today for the first time in a long time. It is built on an Argentine Model 1909 Mauser action with about a 22" barrel (gunsmith unknown). I think my dad bought this from a local sheriff's deputy who needed some money about 25+ years ago with the thought that my older brother would take it on a bear hunt (though, that was probably just a convenient excuse to buy another gun); and it's never really been in the field beyond one or two whitetail deer hunts as far as I know. It probably hasn't been shot in over 20 of those years, and you could probably count the rounds we've put through it on two hands (with fingers to spare). So I'm deciding whether I should keep it or not. I don't have any plans to go on a hunt that would utilize such a caliber; and even if I did, I've got a Whitworth Express in 375 H&H that I like much better and am far more likely to use. On the other hand, I can't imagine that a no-name rifle built on a surplus Mauser action that is in "Good" condition would bring a ton of money, and everything works and the bore still looks mirror-fresh. Maybe I should just keep it for bragging rights since I would have the most powerful rifle amongst my brothers and myself. What do you all think? Maybe I'll get it out to the range for a warm-up in the meantime...

 

[Joker12]

Since you have already decided that it isn't going to bring in much cash why not just keep it? By the way that surplus Mauser action its built on is of superb quality and quite highly thought of.

 

[TNDave]

You could always box it up and send my way
seriously, I’d probably keep it.

 

[shotgungibbs]

I'd keep it! You know you enjoy having it around!

 

[mdwest]

Maybe trade it for something you do want?

Im going to guess there are a number of guys on here that would love to get their hands on an affordable DG rifle.. that might have something in the safe of equal value that may be of interest to you? (something in another caliber? or a decent optic still sitting in a box, etc?)..

 

[Sarg]

I would love that rifle & if you were in my country id be trying to trade you out of it !

Id keep it if I was you, unless your coming to NZ & bring it with you lol ?

Old Leupold 4X I suppose, Id loss those Weaver rings how ever if I was shooting it much .

 

[John Wasmuth]

I’d keep it. You can never have to many .458’s.

 

[igotit]

Give it to me, for safe keeping of course.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Move it on, you don't want or need it, someone else does.

 

[sestoppelman]

Trim the grip down, grind off the roll over cheekpiece, round off the forend or cap it with ebony, put on a barrel band front swivel, have it checkered and keep it.

 

[cash_tx]

Maybe trade it for something you do want?

Im going to guess there are a number of guys on here that would love to get their hands on an affordable DG rifle.. that might have something in the safe of equal value that may be of interest to you? (something in another caliber? or a decent optic still sitting in a box, etc?)..

That's definitely something I have in mind. I think I'm going to take it out to the range for a bit and then decide.

 

[Spooksar]

You are guilty of rifle abuse, please take it out and shoot it.

 

[cash_tx]

I definitely plan to get it out this weekend and put some rounds downrange. That should help me decide what I want to do with it.

 

[freefall]

I'll give you $6 for it!

 

[CJW]

Dang, that's a pretty nice rifle and you have none of your own money into it. You may really regret selling it someday. It looks like a nice Fajen stock that would look killer with a quality checkering job.

You could always load it down to a hot 45/70 like velocity with some 295 gr CEB raptors. This combo shoots great in my 458wm.

I say keep it. It costs nothing to sit in your safe and you can play around with some milder handloads for NA game. Anyways, your dad thought it was cool.

 

[cajunchefray]

I definitely plan to get it out this weekend and put some rounds downrange. That should help me decide what I want to do with it.

Good idea to shoot it before deciding.

if you reload, 350 grain softs at 2500fps are very effective on hogs, deer and pretty much everything in the US.
If you don’t reload, it will take some work to find more North American shootable loads, 350,400 grains.
Then you have good trade value in a starter Big bore on an excellent and in demand action.

Hell, I don’t need it, I already have a nice .458 on a commercial Mauser action.

No really, I don’t need it.

No really.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[cash_tx]

Good idea to shoot it before deciding.

if you reload, 350 grain softs at 2500fps are very effective on hogs, deer and pretty much everything in the US.
If you don’t reload, it will take some work to find more North American shootable loads, 350,400 grains.
Then you have good trade value in a starter Big bore on an excellent and in demand action.

Hell, I don’t need it, I already have a nice .458 on a commercial Mauser action.

No really, I don’t need it.

No really.

Good luck with your decision.

Thanks, and yes, I do reload and have the dies and other components for this caliber that were left along with the gun. I've got a box of existing handloads that are (I think) around 350 grain soft points, plus a couple of boxes of Weatherby Premium Safari 500gr. Soft Points. I think there is some spare brass as well, but will have to check.

 

[geoff rath]

To my addled mind, it'd be a "Keeper", especially if you follow Sestoppelman's guidelines, plus run 350's in it ...

 

[Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy]

Keep it since it doesn't cost you anything and gives you a leg up over your brothers. Most compelling reason to me.

On a serious note: that's a solid platform and plenty of possibilities to get use out of it stateside since you handload. How'd it do at the range last weekend?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Please decide quickly to keep it, otherwise I may be inclined to buy it for no particular need to do so.