I know I'll get a few differing opinions here, but that's what I'm after.

What are considered the best bullets for Cape buff and lion for a .458 Win mag? This is for a friend who doesn't handload.

I'm thinking A Frames and Barnes solids. Am I close?

Thanks...

excellent choices.

barnes solid for elephant and buff. TSX or A-frame for lion.

I use solids for plains game. depending on how your friend's gun shoots. try 500 grns first and if that does not give your velocity, drop down to 450 grns.

Also, have him contact Superior Ammo. They will send a varity pack of different loads, see which is best, or send your gun to them and they will do it all.

dale

dale

Your friend may not like it, and many other also won't like it. But here is my advice: Send his .458 WM to competent gunsmith to have it reamed out to .458 Lott! Then repost the same question for the Lott!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

I've broached that subject to him, Andrew, and he turned it down. I agree with you, however.

Dale, ele's not on the menu, as we're hunting up north and there's no elephant on license in Maasailand.

I figured A Frame for the first shot on buff and then the Barnes on follow up and A Frames for lion. Thanks.

I have used the two bullets you mentioned from my .458Lott with excellent results. Should be the same from the .458wm. Good advice re: Superior Ammunition. Larry loads my African ammo.

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:
I've broached that subject to him, Andrew, and he turned it down. I agree with you, however.

Dale, ele's not on the menu, as we're hunting up north and there's no elephant on license in Maasailand.

I figured A Frame for the first shot on buff and then the Barnes on follow up and A Frames for lion. Thanks.

The 500gr A-Frame should work fine for lion.I shot my impala in the shoulder with it and judging by the cheers I heard as soon as I touched off the shot,it went right down and fast.If I were hunting lion tommorrow, I would chose the A-Frame or Woodleigh.I hope to one day hunt lion but it is out of my present budget.Nevertheless,I started to prepare for it. by practicing my shooting,reloading and general SHOOTING KNOWLEDGE.I guess the best way for me to go about it is to find someone who has posted a hunt report that I like and ask them for some guidance.I don't want an easy lion hunt.I admire the style of hunt,of the vodka drinking fellow who was in camp with me during my buff hunt,who came to hunt lion.

What do you guys think of Trophy Bonded? Shakari doesn't like them at all, and I value his opinion highly.

Does anyone sell factory loaded 450grn and or 480grn 458Win ammo?

I think Federal once sold a 450 grain load. I know they sold a 350 grain load, because we still have a few left from ten years ago, but no longer.

Cor Bon sells a 450 TSX load. Midway has some. Advertised velocity is 2250. Anybody have any experience on this load? Might be good for both lion and buff...

(EDIT)

I contacted shakari and he claims the Woodleigh SP, not the PRP, is the best lion medicine. Gonna get a quote from Superior. Midway has Kynoch, five rounds for almost fifty bucks! I think Superior can do a custom load for less than that, but I'll know more later. So A Frames and Barnes solids for buff and the Woodleigh for lion. I'm taking some 350 Woodleigh PRP's and 300 A Frames along for buff with my .375 as well.

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:
I know I'll get a few differing opinions here, but that's what I'm after.

What are considered the best bullets for Cape buff and lion for a .458 Win mag? This is for a friend who doesn't handload.

I'm thinking A Frames and Barnes solids. Am I close?

Thanks...

jetdrvr

I would agree with your choice of (over the counter) premium bullets. I believe that the 458 win mag is by no means inferior, no offence Andrew, I shoot a Lott myself and would not change it for anything. The win mag has had it's problems in the past with the slower powders with capacity, compaction, slow speeds and the list goes on. However with the improved powders in South Africa these days (which are still way slower than some of the Hodgedon or AA powders I've tried) speeds of 2100 fps are easily obtainable with 500 gr bullets.
I feel that swift A frame (although my choice Soft) is more than adequate for lion, it will be the perfect choice when considering that you will be using it on Buffalo too. No point in taking 3 different bullets on your trip.

looking forward to reading the Hunt Report,

JL

A-frames and NF's if it will feed the flat nose. If not, I'd load a Woodie 480 grain solid...might get that extra 50-75 fps.
The A-frames are tough to beat...that being said, I haven't shot anything with NF soft points.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

quote:

Cor Bon sells a 450 TSX load. Midway has some. Advertised velocity is 2250. Anybody have any experience on this load? Might be good for both lion and buff...

Although it was a handload chronographed at 2250, I shot a buff with a 450 grain TSX. Raking shot from behind. I'm told they will penetrate all the way through from the side, not necessarily good.

Don't listen to the Jeremiahs who always try to highjack threads like this by demanding that you rechamber for the Lott. It's easy to get 2200 fps with a 500 grain and 2250 with a 450 in the regular .458 without excess pressure. Rechambering is a waste of money.

For solids, I would get some handloader to load you up some 450 grain North Fork or GS bullets at 2250. They will penetrate a buff from stem to stern in my experience.

Fred,

The 450 TSX will be fine for everything. The lion will not know what bullet he was shot with. Larry at Superior told me he thinks this is "THE" load for the 4-5-8.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Fred,

The 450 TSX will be fine for everything. The lion will not know what bullet he was shot with. Larry at Superior told me he thinks this is "THE" load for the 4-5-8.

Mark

I have a .458 Lott, rather than the Win. Mag., but I think that Mark's advice is good for both calibers and the game your friend is after.

If I was him, I would get Superior to load some of the 450 grain TSX bullets to 2,250 fps.

With those in his rifle, he won't need solids for buffalo or lion.

Thanks, guys. I emailed Larry about some 500 Woodleighs. I'll bring up the TSX.

I know this is a bit off topic, but what's your opinion of a 505 Gibbs 525g TSX at 2300 fps for buff?

Thanks,

Chuck

I'm not familiar with that round. Someone should have some info though. Just guessing, I'd say it would be dead nuts.