As you may remember from my last post, I picked up a #1 in .458 Lott. Took it to the range on Monday with several loads...first was a Hornady 500g. RN with H335, from the Hornady handbook. While not the max load listed, this was up there. Suffice it to say that I have a new appreciation for recoil. OHHH my lord!!! Target at 50yd., shooting offhand with a bone stock #1, accuracy was limited by my poor big bore technique. Still, all shots..five...printed inside an 8" circle, albeit 6" left, 4" high. Second load was Hornady's 350g RN with a 2400 fps loading of RL7. Somewhat less ouch factor, but less accurate. Still not what I would call comfortable to shoot! Third loading was the Saeco #020 mould casting a 540g. gas checked slug over IMR 4064. Estimated velocity is about 1800 fps. While this load hurt less than the 500g Hornady's, it is still a very stout load. Accuracy was really good, five shots inside 2.5" at 50 yd., 2" left, .5" high. No doubt this load would shoot WAY better if I had the cojones to try it off the bench...I don't! I did shoot one round with the saeco 540's at a 6' chunk of telephone pole, 12" in diameter at 50yd. Behind the pole was a 6'x6' block of solid cast concrete. The bullet went through the phone pole like butter, and knocked a 4"deep hole in the concrete. This is a round with SERIOUS oomph!!! Working on reduced cast loads now...my shoulder is interesting shades of blue and green. In total, I made it through twenty rounds before admitting that I was pain. What fun!!!

If you have not, GET a new PAD.

First thing you should do is what Gene said: get a Limbsaver or Decelerator pad, maybe add a little weight to the buttstock, will make a significant difference. Congratulations on a fine choice!

My #1 Lott taught me many things

First of all I took emery cloth to the trigger and safety as I was getting roughed up by these. Second, a decent pad was called for, I used a Limbsaver slip on for "right now" comfort.

Next added weight in the form of a Leup VX 1.5-5 helped out.

The #1 in 458 Lott is a bargain and a nice way to get into a real big bore. If you shoot full loads you WILL get a big bore experience. IMO the #1 recoils more than a bolt rifle (felt recoil), eg as a RSM in Lott. I loved the Lott round but choose the RSM as my platform for this round. My RSM Lott just shoots "softer" for me than my #1, and it (the Lott RSM) has become my favorite ground squirrel vaulter!

I really like the Lott. You can load it down or you can load it up to "get your attention" levels. Someday I will build a 500A2 or 550 Mag, but until then the Lott will have to do.

John

i've got a galco slip-on style recoil pad that brings the LOP to just about right and helps tame my .458 win mag.... iv'e got a millet reddot electronic 1x scope on mine.... love it!!!...

I shoot a lot of big stuff and I have to admit that shooting my 458 Lott Ruger #1 right out of the box with full house loads was a pain in the ass. It felt like it whacked me as hard or harder than many bigger bores. A new recoil pad helped the most, but the first shot out of the box was an unpleasant surprise to say the least.

get a new pad before you step up your loads.
this is no fun...

DAMN!!!!!!!!!!

I shoot "offhand" and use shooting sticks rather than using a bench rest. You will find it much more pleasant no matter what recoil reducing devices and pads you might add and I find just as accurate. Shooting sticks are a very good thing with big bores.

I shot one of those once. I'm content to leave it that way.

Edward: Good on ya, mate. I tend to agree that there's something about the Ruger No. 1 even with the tropical barrel that increases felt recoil with the bigger cartridges, although there is no need to shoot a steady diet of full-steam Lott loads in one. That said, I have been very tempted by a No. 1 in the Lott because of its load versatility, among other things. I had a No. 1 in .458 that I had rechambered to .450 Nitro, but never loaded it beyond 500 at 2100, and then not many of those. It was much more pleasant with a case full of BP under a cast bullet.

Shooting your 458 Lott from a bench rest position would naturally lead to the best grouping, but be smart about it use a lead sled type recoil absorbing device.
This way you will enjoy shooting your new rifle and be able absorb more enjoyment longer.
Before you leave the shooting range take one shot or one full magazine (if you shooting repeater) an blast it off hand this will let you know what your shoulder has been missing for the last hour or so.

You wouldn't shoot with out glasses or hearing protection so you shouldn't shoot a weapon known for very heavy recoil without recoil protection so use a lead sled DFT device.
Always remember that recoil protection is like Viagra for your shoulder, it will help you stay in the game until you finish the whole box of ammo.