My LH M1999 now barreled action in 6.5x55 supposedly is on the way to Jim Brockman for a stock and basic finishing, but the real toy, the Magnum Action for the 458 Lott should be right behind.
Since ordering the Lott action about two years ago, I have acquired two boxes of Hornady loaded ammo, Hornady dies, Hornady unprimed brass, LBT Gas Checked Lead bullets in 405 & 420 grain weights. I've still got a box or two of the Hornady 500 Gr. jacketed solids and soft points (70's vintage), and at least 400 of the 300 gr Remington JHP bullets from my 45-70 days.

Does anyone out there have a favorite recipe for practice in the 458 Lott case that may safely use any of these bullets?

I will also post this on the reloading forum.

Thanks, and I will post photos once the rifles are completed.

Safe Hunting
Clint

Clint:

Here's my plinking load:



Cartridge Load Information
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Load Name: 458 Lott plinking load
Bullet Mfg: Hornady
Bullet Type: #4507 FMJRN
Bullet Caliber: .458
Bullet Weight: 500
Ballistic Coeff: 0.295
Powder Mfg: IMR
Powder Type: 4320
Powder Weight: 82.000
Powder Lot Number: Unknown
Primer Mfg: FEDERAL
Primer Size: 215 LRM-MATCH
Primer Type:
Primer Lot Number: unknown
Case Mfg:
Case Length: 0.000
Case # Times Loaded: 0
Cartridge OAL: 0.000
Comparator OAL: 0.000
Av. Group size: 0.693
Av. Group Velocity: 2155
Cartridge Mfg Date:
Cartridge Lot Number:
Moly Coated: No
Crimped: No

Shot String Data
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
# 1) X Distance: -1.427 Y Distance: 0.435 Radius: 1.492 Velocity: 2162
# 2) X Distance: -1.737 Y Distance: 0.600 Radius: 1.838 Velocity: 2153
# 3) X Distance: -1.210 Y Distance: 1.050 Radius: 1.602 Velocity: 2151

-Steve

I haven't had a chance to try my new Lott, but the old one liked between 76-80 gr of RL 7 under a 350 gr speer or hornady, and would push them 2400-2500 fps. Recoil is on par with a 375 H&H, and I would confidantly use those bullets on any NA game.

Unfortunately I haven't tried any of the bullets you listed. I would try RL 7 with the 300 gr bullet. Bullet weight and recoil are directly proportional

You could also use 458WinMag ammo, factory or not, for practice. It might be easier to create the equivalent of a soft Lott load using WinMag cases. You won't run into dangerously low charges with the WinMag case as quickly as with the bigger Lott. If you need to go really slow in working up to full-power the WinMag case should let you try softer loads than the Lott.

I'd advise talking to someone here who's actually done this before starting, since all I've said above is only my potentially dangerous theory.

Gopnzo,
Yes, that is an idea, but I plan to keep the Lott cases. I did a similar thing in my Casull, 45 Colt brass instead of 454 brass. I thought it would be a great idea to use this while practiciing my speed. However, I noticed some crazing or erosion at the end of the chamber, before the throat. You can see that with a revolver cylinder out of the frame. So I don't think I'll be trying the 458 WM cases unless I'm on a hunt and my Lott Ammo is somehow lost.

Thanks again.

Safe Hunting
Clint