Ok, everybody,

Being new here I have read enough about the 458 to know that it is fairly easy to convert to the Lott chambering, but if you will help me understand what are the overall advantages of this,I have a 458 coming to me now. If this is posted elsewhere let me know where and I will read up on it.

Thanks,

Doug

IIRC: 458 is a belted case, so it head spaces from the belt. Means with a 458 Lott, you can use 458 Win mag in a pinch, and, fireform 375 H&H brass.

Advantage of the Lott is it pushes the 500 grain bullet at around 2300 fps, adequate to stop lion,
and maintain penetration speed(is threads on Lion Medicine, and scumbag hunter sues Federal because he missed and got chewed on).

Cost is recoil, and really, for most, requires a brake to fire accurately.
s

Socrates,
What is the process used to fireform 375 brass to 458Lott?

No need to fireform,unless you just happen to have a lot of old 375 cases laying around. Hornady and Bell both make cases for the 458 Lott. Probably some other folks do too. Check out MidwayUSA Shooters Supply or Midsouth Shooters Supply.

The conversion is probably worth doing, on balance.

Thanks guys

You asked about the advantages, but you didn't ask about the DISADVANTAGES.

Many guns chambered for the Lott have feeding problems. In fact, I know of at least two well known gunsmiths that will not use VZ24 action because they have to take off too much metal to get all manner of bullets to feed. Some longer solids and even some big softpoints don't like the ride up the ramp.

I was VERY, VERY tempted to build a custom Lott, but after much agonizing went with the .458 WM and a 26" barrel instead to pick up some extra velocity. The whole idea behind a DANGEROUS GAME RIFLE is reliability, consistency and strength. Why compromise when hunting things that stomp, gore and bite?

A Lott will take a .458WM in a pinch, but I've never heard of anyone getting decent accuracy that way. Think long and hard before you go and rechamber a .458 to Lott, but that's just my opinion....which is what you asked for right?

[ 04-29-2003, 05:19: Message edited by: N'gagi ]

You are right, I did ask for opinions, and I did infact not mention the disadvantages. I have spent a bit of time looking at the options on the web and I have decided to keep it as is. It is braked with a 24 in. barrel

Thanks to everyone

Hawkeye:
Fireforming brass is you put the puppy in, close the bolt, and pull the trigger. The bullet rattles down the barrel, and the brass expands, first, out to fill the chamber.

No real reason too, since Lott brass is now avaliable.

dwhunter:
I was wondering, what kind of brake, and how well does it work? What kind of rifle? What does it weigh?
What kind of velocities are you getting, and what types of ammunition are you using?

My concern with the Lott is the velocities people want may require just too much pressure, and the resulting recoil maybe way too much for most people. The guys in the other thread suggest a light rifle, like the Browning Safari, just kicks the daylights out of you, in 458 win mag.

If that's the case, you could end up with physical effects that are not good, like detached retinas, and scope eye, along with a terrible flinch.

This of course, is if you use factory ammo all the time.

The good news is ammo for the Lott and the win mag, are fairly cheap from Conley, and you could specify loads that stayed in the 40K Cup area, rather then pushing the envelope with 60k loads.
Here's his response to an email request for plinking ammo:

"There is not much I could make in the 25 dollar range due to the high cost
of the components. The only one I could build is the 405 FP Remington bullet
we use in the 45/70 loads. It would be fine for paper punching but would
more than likely over expand on game. It would cost $28.99 per box of 20
with a 500 round run. My suggestion would be consider using the 458 Win
Mag for plinking. Made with the same 405 Gr. FP bullet would be $24.93 / box
for a 500 Round run. For the 375 H&H we make the 270 Gr Hornady interlock
that is about a cheap as we can build these. If you have any questions or
if we can be of any service to you feel free to contact us at any time.

Thanks

Kole Conley"

By the way, Conley has excellent prices for 458 and Lott ammunition, from the bottom plinking stuff, to top end game cartridges.

I am going to email him back and ask what velocities you end up with if you keep the Lott to the lower pressures the brass was originally designed to work for. Remember, the 375 H&H was NOT a high pressure magnum.

The feeding problems baffle me. Perhaps Rob or one of the real pros could explain why it's a problem. It would seem on a full size action, like the CZ, designed for the 375, it shouldn't be a big problem...Guess it depends on what rifle you start with..
s

You must understand that feeding problems are no reflection of a cartridge, but instead it indicates sloppy workmanship by some butchers that should never have attempted such a conversion....

Properly built Mausers, Winchesters, etc. have graced the African game fields in calibers like the Watts, Lott, Ackley,Barnes the new 3" African version, and a bunch of other lenthened 458's for a century or two and have served well in their capacities...

The LOtt is a great improvement over the poorly designed 458 win. case which lacked enough powder capacity to get dependable results without powder compaction that created a multitude of problems in the African heat...this cannot be denied, there is just too much proof out there.

I also believe a 26" barrel and a good handload is one alternative, but not the best one...The best being a properly smithed rifle..The Lott is very popular in Africa these days and gaining in popularity...

I predict that within a few years, the 458 Lott, now available from both Ruger and Winchester will be a household item...

I, personally, will never be a 45 cal. fan as I think recoil is excessive to field shooting from all positions and the power is un-needed IMO...I have chosen the 404 Jefferys as my favorite caliber, followed by the 416 Remington caliber. That said I have used the 458 Lott to some extent in Africa and it is a sure killer of dangerous game.