Headed for buffalo in July planning on using my 458WM. I'm open to suggestions on bullet and weight.
I'm thinking along the lines of 400 grains in a soft point because of case capacity. But do not know if Barnes Triple Shock are going to be too long for the Mauser action on top a heavy dose of powder.

APL#4,

I think you will be OK on OAL with the 400 gr Barnes, but definitely work up a dummy load for running through the action and checking OAL. The 400 gr starts to get a little shy on the sectional density side of the equation but I'm not sure SD is a meaningful indicator on bullets of the Barnes type construction.

Personally, I would focus on the traditional jacketed bullets in 500 grains with the .458 Winchester Magnum and I would use a soft nose on buffalo.

Good hunting,

Buliwyf

ALP#4...Use AA2230 powder, and 500gr bullets for both "solids" and soft points. One advantage of using AA2230, is the fact you'll have ample space in the case for 500gr bullets. If you handload, you'll have no problem achieving 2150fps, (and above) with both type bullets.

I've had superb success shooting elephant with my .458WM at an average velocity of 2185fps.

As to bullet selection; there are a myriad of excellent bullets on the market. Purchase several different brands, and load 'em up, and head to the range. Shoot the ones that function best in your rifle.

And as Buliwyf suggested, and I agree, use soft points on buffalo. They'll do the job.

Good luck

#4,

A 450gr. TSX will be a devastating load...You should with out a doubt get a very honest velocity of 2150 FPS and that will really knock the snot out of a buf...It will even take out the brain with a head shot...

Mike

ALP#4

The 458WM with the 450 TSX may be the very best way to go as retreever suggested. In a 24" barrel you could reach 2300 fps with Accurate powders. I'm a 458WM fan and have always used the 500 grainers in Africa but next time I need that horsepower I will the try 450 monometal bullets.

Mark

Due to the limited case capacity of the .458, I think you should use a premium lead core bullet which will be shorter than the monolithics mentioned here. May I suggest the 450 grain North Fork?

www.northforkbullets.com

500 for me. But I wouldn't lose any sleep if I had to use the 450s/465s.

I have given some thought to the 450gr North Forks mentioned above and will do some reloading over the Holiday break.
I've not used AA2230 powder before, would anyone like to point me in the direction of some reloading tables with 450 gr bullets? I would dearly appreciate it.
My fall back is the TSX .

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/Accurate%203-1.pdf

You will have to work up a load anyway so the 400 and the 500 max loads being 76.5 and 74 of AA 2230 should give you an idea. Start loads are 68 and 66 of same powder. Somebody on here probably has loads for the 450 TSX in the 458 for their rifle that you can look at too.

better yet...rechamber for the lott and use whatever weight you want! and still use the win mag ammo ect you can seat the bullet out far or use lott ammo. if you are going to africa might as well not skimp on the rifle issue...

The Barnes bullets are listed in 450gr bullets and since you are shooting TSX you will get better velocities with banded bullets and the North Forks are also great also....

The Barnes book lists 450gr loadings...

Mike

The .458 Lott would be excellent, but if you're using a standard(30-06)length .458 i.e. FN/Browning, Pre-64 M70, Ruger M77 (non-magnum)then the action will have to be "opened-up" along with re-chambering.

Buliwyf

I tried to post but the post went...?

I've killed four buff with a 458wm, but all were with solids. Three with 500gr Woodleighs and one with 450gr North Forks. My loads are mild and still performed extremely well.

I would pick the North Fork 450gr soft and the 450gr North Fork cup point for buff. The North Fork 450gr flat point solids give penetration beyond what is required for buff. At a relativley sedate 2190fps I had full length pass through from rear to front with an exit out the boss.

For 500gr Woodleighs AA 2230 is the go to powder. For the North Forks I'm using H 4895 but AA 2230 might be better.

No need at all to rechamber your rifle to a Lott. I've killed eleven elephants and four buff with the 458wm and never found it wanting, especially with the North Forks.

JPK

quote:

A 450gr. TSX will be a devastating load...You should with out a doubt get a very honest velocity of 2150 FPS and that will really knock the snot out of a buf...It will even take out the brain with a head shot...

I'll second retreevers vote. laso, the 450gr North Fork, like 500grains suggested will work very good.

Has anyone used the 400 gr. X bullet @ 2370fps & and found that it did not work....What about the 350 gr X..@ 2500 & fps ... Has any one seen that they did not penetrate amply deep....???????

In a 458WM a 400gr expanding mono will give better results than a heavier expanding mono. If you use a mono solid, 450gr is as long as what is usefull. In larger cased 458s, longer monos can be used but it is dubious whether performance increases.