Woodleigh has decided to make a 480grn soft and solid to suit the 458Win from March (with correctly positioned crimp groove).
Sound like a great idea to comfortably achieve that magical 2150fps MV and still have great sectional density .

2150fps with 500grs isn't tough to get.

I'm thinking the 480's at 2200!

JPK

Why not? With AA2230 I can get 2200 with 500s without any noticeable pressure signs. Also 2250 with 450s.

I have some 480gr FMJ with the 458 Win cannelure on their way here now as well as some softs with the 458 Win cannelure added on them.

I have my order in with Huntingtons here in the US for more in March.

I hope to get 2,250fps or maybe a little more with A2230 and the 480grs.

I have recovered some 480gr Woodleigh Softs from cape buff and eland, and some solids from brain shots on elephants from my 450 No2.

Both gave excellent performance.

The Softs expanded perfectly, large frontal area.

I would not want to drive them faster than 2250 fps.
For that velocity use the 450gr Swift a Frame

2150+fps with minimal pressure from a 23" barrel, even better.

Thanks for the heads-up ozhunter.

I shot the 458WM with the 500gr Woodleigh pointed softs today and they are really accurate with AA2230.It seems this powder prefers them when they are not molly coated.I couldn't chrono this because of a snowstorm.I was sent the pointed Woodleighs by mistake.I have some RN's on order.I noticed a difference in the point of impact between 500gr A-frames and the 500 gr Woodleighs of the same charge,such that the A-frame shoots 3 inches lower and 3 inches to the left.I got the same size 100yd group with both the A-frame and Woodleigh soft.It seems that the Woodleigh solids and softs have the same or close to the same point of impact.

8 years ago, woodleigh made a batch for Nimrod cartridges. Despite the fact that all us handloaders were getting 2200fps with 500grn bullets and S321 powder ...balistic tests by somchem proved that using S321 you could only achive velocities over 2100fps within agreed pressure specs using the 480grn bullet.

Since I load a .458 Lott with 450grn Barnes the question is accademic for me....but it is a good plan!

Brillant!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:
8 years ago, woodleigh made a batch for Nimrod cartridges. Despite the fact that all us handloaders were getting 2200fps with 500grn bullets and S321 powder ...balistic tests by somchem proved that using S321 you could only achive velocities over 2100fps within agreed pressure specs using the 480grn bullet.

Since I load a .458 Lott with 450grn Barnes the question is accademic for me....but it is a good plan!

Too bad you can't get your hands on AA2230. I get an easy 2145fps from my rifle, which has 26 1/4" barrels, and had my loads pressure tested, they tested well under max, a light middlin' load. The 458wm likes long barrels.

Edited to add that the Hornaday Manual, which Woodleigh referred me to for their bullets, shows 500gr loads to 2250fps with AA2230, out of a 24" barrel.

JPK

OH! BOY!! Those should be dandy in my 450 3 1/4" Ruger, don't have any need for soilds, but the softs should work rather well on pigs

quote:

Originally posted by Dave James:
OH! BOY!! Those should be dandy in my 450 3 1/4" Ruger, don't have any need for soilds, but the softs should work rather well on pigs

Woodleigh already make 480grn bullets to suit the 450NE with the crimp groove further forward.

Dave James

I shot one pig with a 480 Woodleigh Soft from my 450 No2.
It was a broadside shot, complete penetration, and I did not get as much damage/expansion as I would like on a pig. The 480 Woodleigh soft is more suitable for bigger game.

I have had much better results on pigs with the 350gr Hornady RN at @2330fps or the standard 500gr Hornady at @2150 fps.