I have been reading the threads about the 458 Lott and I have also read the article in the African hunter. It seems that the difference in the Lott and the Watts is .05" with the Watts being longer. The 450 Watts and the 470 Capstick having an overall length of 3.65". How long are the magazine boxes on the new Winchesters? Will they accomodate the 3.65" length? Is their extra work to be done to the magazine box? It seems that the load data shows that the Watts and Capstick can obtain 2400 fps while the Lott can get 2300 fps. I wouldn't think that the .05" would make that much of a difference??

I am thinking of building this rifle (458 Lott (Watts) ) either on a new or pre 64 Winchester action. The pre 64 actions hold 4 375HH in the magazine with one on top. I am thinking the pre 64 action will hold the same with the Lott or will the magazine capacity be reduced?

DaggaRon and Norbert, thanks for the info on the load data you guys sent me. Good stuff

Thanks,
Terry

The extra .05 of case length does not matter much, but having the chamber that long means that you can use any length case from 458 Win to Watts safely.

The Clymer Lott reamers support the longer case.

My Win magazine is 3.600 long.

Don

Terry:

I can't answer your M70 questions, but as to the Watts, in a 24" barrel 2,400 fps is optomistic within safe pressures, 2,300 fps is no problem, 2,350 seems to be max in most rifles. There are no real performance differences between the Lott and the Watts. I don't know about the Capstick.

l-n-b

loud-n-boomer, Is the CZ 550 Safari mag have same tolerance as Winchester rifle? Around 2400 fts with a 25" barrel.

Terry,

It's been reported on the list that Hornady is bringing out the .458 Lott in their line of factory cartridges; also both Winchester and Ruger are or will be chambering rifles.

Given those votes, I would choose the Lott...jim

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"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

BER007:

I'm not sure what you mean by "same tolerances", but the out-of-the-box Winchester is prettier than the CZ, but the CZ will hold more rounds, and funcion and accuracy are supposed to be great. Also, even with the longer barrel, I'm not sure you can safely squeeze 2400 fps out of a Lott, and IMHO, there is no practical reason to exceed 2,300 with the 500 grain bullet, given that the Lott is intended for use within 100 yards. That said, I have not had any trouble killing critters beyond 200 yards with a 500 grain bullet starting at 2200 fps, which is where I load mine. Were I to get another Lott, I would have a hard time choosing between a M70 and a CZ550 action.

loud-n-boomer, thanks you answer to my question. I agree with you under 100 yards there is no reason to have very hot load.
But it is just to know the limit of this rifle.

What I mean by "same tolerance" is : same regularity in shooting, same accuracy, same presure limit, same lifetime,...

I have heard that CZ 550 Mag becomes a standard rifle for africa hunting. But I can't confirm it.

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BER007
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I can't see much advantage to a 458 or larger caliber unless you have a long drop box. I feel like the drop box is a needed addition on a DGR. I like to have an edge.

I would rather have a the additional rounds than the power. A 5 shot 9.3x62 beats a 2 or 3 shot 458 or larger big bore...the exception is the double rifle for obvious reasons.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Thanks for the info on this.

Ray, I think the new Winchesters would handle 4 rounds....... 3 in the magazine and 1 on top. My old pre 64 Winchester 375 HH will hold 4 in the magazine and 1 on top with no need for a drop box. I'm not sure if it would hold that many 458 Lott. I would probably be better off with a CZ action for the Lott. I assume they would hold 4 down and 1 up ?? ........ Thanks,Terry