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

[Northern Shooter]

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 adequate on everything up to and including elephant, the 458 WM is more of the same with a higher S.D of .341.

5,100+ft-lbs of energy out of the lowest recoiling of the 0.458 DG cartridges at sub 65 ft-lbs out of a 10 lbs rifle, why would you ever want or need more with the additional recoil penalty?

Due to the cartridges compact OAL it can be used in a standard length action, not requiring a bulkier or more expensive magnum length action.

The cartridge can be reloaded with an extremely versatile range of projectiles ranging between 250-550gr making it suitable for everything from white tail and hogs up to bull elephant.

All in a relatively light and affordable package with readily available and affordable ammo (by DG standards).

What’s not to love? It’s like hitting the easy button.

 

[Northern Shooter]

An assortment of the different factory ammo I own:

400 gr Federal TBBC
500 gr Federal TBBC
500 gr Federal Banded Solid
500 gr Norma Solid
500 gr Hornady DGX
450 gr Barnes TTSX
500 gr Winchester Solid

I’ve only ever hunted with the 400 gr TBBC, makes for great bear and moose medicine.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

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 adequate on everything up to and including elephant, the 458 WM is more of the same with a higher S.D of .341.

5,100+ft-lbs of energy out of the lowest recoiling of the 0.458 DG cartridges at sub 65 ft-lbs out of a 10 lbs rifle, why would you ever want or need more with the additional recoil penalty?

Due to the cartridges compact OAL it can be used in a standard length action, not requiring a bulkier or more expensive magnum length action.

The cartridge can be reloaded with an extremely versatile range of projectiles ranging between 250-550gr making it suitable for everything from white tail and hogs up to bull elephant.

All in a relatively light and affordable package with readily available and affordable ammo (by DG standards).

What’s not to love? It’s like hitting the easy button.

Well said. I always planned on using mine to take a feral hog in California, but I never did. Loaded to 2160 with 500 grain bullets it works just fine on cape buffalo. Two so far.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Well said. I always planned on using mine to take a feral hog in California, but I never did. Loaded to 2160 with 500 grain bullets it works just fine on cape buffalo. Two so far.

Never used mine on African game but it seems to check all the boxes for taking down the heavies.

The 400-450gr should also be a decent option for the larger plains game.

I have chrono’d my Hornady DGX loads and while advertised at 2,140 fps all 10 shots were over 2,155 fps with the highest being 2,169 fps out of my 24” barrel.

How heavy is your 458 WM?

 

[Ruraldoc]

My 458 is a Brno 602 which has been chambered to accept the Lott cartridge as well.

I don’t think I need a bigger rifle. Still figuring out whether I prefer 458 win or 458 Lott ammo in it.

I haven’t used it for anything other than targets. May take it for hippo on land at some point. Maybe my first elephant.

I have much more experience in the field with the 375 and 416, but it seems that everyone who dreams of Africa needs a true big bore, and they start with the 458s.

 

[Badboymelvin]

I've owned 5 .458's (so far) and I just don't get all the hate that surrounds it...

My first CZ in .458 I was going to Lott it, then actually loaded for it and saw how easy it was to get 2150fps with a 500gn projectile, so left it.

I think if forced to name a favourite cartridge, the .458WM would be it.

I have loaded several different loads for my .458's but my last one the 3 loads were my favourite...

- 73gn BENCHMARK - Winchester Case - CCI 250 Mag Primer - 550gn Woodleigh SP - 2100fps

- 73gn BENCHMARK - Winchester Case - CCI 250 Mag Primer - 450gn Woodleigh Hydro - 2300fps

- 74gn H4895 - Winchester Case - CCI 250 Mag Primer - 480gn Woodleigh SP - 2150fps

These loads were safe in my rifle, but please don't use these loads without dropping a couple of grains and working up.
The Woodleigh Hydro just penetrated like crazy and the 550's really put big deer on their bum.
The 480gn load was mild and had little - if no compression, it was such a great load for the .458 and if l was to choose 1, this would be it.

Every single .458 I've owned have been reliable, super accurate and kicked like crazy!
To anyone seeing a reasonably priced .458 for sale, but are scared off by the horror stories that plaque it to this day... l suggest you give it a chance.
You may just be pleasantly surprised...

 

[Fenstar]

Sorry but the .458 Lott is just better in all regards. I say why compromise when it’s available, and easy.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Never used mine on African game but it seems to check all the boxes for taking down the heavies.

The 400-450gr should also be a decent option for the larger plains game.

I have chrono’d my Hornady DGX loads and while advertised at 2,140 fps all 10 shots were over 2,155 fps with the highest being 2,169 fps out of my 24” barrel.

How heavy is your 458 WM?

About nine pounds, I think. It's a Whitworth Express. I put a Leupold 1.5 to 5 x 24 scope on it and had it Mag-Na-Ported. The recoil.was "snappy" before the addition of the scope and the Mag-Na-Port ing. It's quite manageable now.

 

[Northern Shooter]

About nine pounds, I think. It's a Whitworth Express. I put a Leupold 1.5 to 5 x 24 scope on it and had it Mag-Na-Ported. The recoil.was "snappy" before the addition of the scope and the Mag-Na-Port ing. It's quite manageable now.

My current production Model 70 Safari Express is 9.0lbs even.

I’m exploring options to bump it up to 10lbs+.