I want to work up some loads for my 458 Lott using 350 grain Speer Hot Core flat point bullets. My Hornady Manual and Barnes Manual are the only ones of the several I have that list 458 Lott loads. There is a huge discrepancy between the two manuals of maximum and minimum loads. If I start at the minimum of the Barnes Manual I will be about over the maximum of the Hornady Manual. I know Barnes bullets are supposed to be softer than Hornady bullets but don't think that would make that much of a difference; maybe it would.

If anyone has favorite loads with the 350 grain speer or other brand/weight bullets or can give me an idea of which manual to believe the most, I would appreciate it.

I was planning on using RL-7 or H322 but I have a variety of powders and if I don't have the best powder, I'll get it.

Hello Grumulkin,
I will look forward to seeing some answers to your questions for I have a 458 Lott on the way, week or so, but I have problems loading the 350gr. Hornady's in the 458 Win Mag. due to the short overall length and inability to crimp as I would like. There are two cannelures on the bullet, Hornady, and if you seat the bullet on the forward one, the OAL is really short and don't care for all that much jump in the bullet when it is fired. If you seat it in the rear groove, only about .125" is actually holding the bullet in the case and it is very flimsy arrangement. Will the bullets you describe have the same problem?? Curious for would like to have a "smok'n" light bullet load for both the Lott and the std. 458. Again, if you find some answers, appreciate you posting them. Thanks

Grumulkin,

I am using H 4198 in my Lott. It has a 24" barrel and 77 grains of H4198 with the 350 grain Speer Hot Core FP gives me a velocity of between 2650 and 2700 fps. My buddy has been using my chronograph and he is getting accurate readings for his 416 Rem Mag so we believe it is accurate. No pressure signs. With 84 grains of 4198 and a 300 grain Barnes X, I got between 2900 and 2950 fps and < 1" groups. No pressure signs, but I will back down a couple of grains if I can ever get more of the 300 grain Barnes X. In light of the fact that a 416 Rem Mag can push a 300 grain barnes bullet around 2900 fps, I believe a Lott should be able to do so safely with the right powder. I load for a lot of calibers and most of the Barnes data seems to overstate velocities, but the velocities listed for the Lott appear low. The light bullets for the Lott are short and I believe there is a freebore effect that tends to mitigate pressure a bit.

Good Luck,

Todd

Hi Driver

I checked out the Hornady catalogue and the only 45 cal bullets with 2 cannalures were for pistol.

Mark

Hello Mark H,
That could well be, but normally pistol/handgun bullets are 451 in diameter not 458. Have been told the ones I have are used a great deal w/ the old war horse, 45/70?? Only have a partial box so not a crisis. Anyway, the other response gave some good data and will try those Speer Hot Cores and see how they work. Later,

Try using the Remington 405gr bullet. I have had good results with it. I am only loading them to 2112fps for plinking and pigs. They can be loaded to 2500fps or so but they blowup when they hit much of anything.

Hog Killer

Hello Hog Killer,
I placed an order w/ Midway yesterday for bulk load of those bullets. Friend of mine shoots a ton of 45/70 and he will split them with me. Anxious to see how they work in that Lott.

Driver, I am loading 68.0gr of IMR-4895 for my 2112fps load. That is from a 24" barrel. COL is 3.53"

Hog Killer