Pharmpoke,

I do not have anywhere near the experience that many of the members here have and could consider myself similar to you in the sense that I am a big bore rifle novice.

I have shot a .375 a few times and a .470 once and did not find it pleasant at all. The .375 was tolerable but the .470 was painful and I did not enjoy it one bit.

I am sure there are people who are much stronger than I am and who enjoy shooting really hard recoiling guns every day, but if you enjoy recoil, you will probably enjoy shooting your Lott, conversely, if you don't, you'll hate it. Either way, it will be an experience that we'll wait to hear about at AR.

All the very best!

A friend just purchased a Ruger in 458Lott. He offered to let me shoot it when he gets some ammo loaded up. He says he has some 600gr bullets he plans to load. I want to shoot it just to say I've shot a thumper. What should I expect as far as recoil? The biggest caliber I've shot previously is 35Whelen.

Hold it firm, don't let it get a run on you, and move with the gun. You'll be fine. Sean

The biggest gun I'd shot before my 458 Lott was a 35 whelen ackley pushing a 250 gr @ 2700 fps.

I'm sure the calculations will show the recoil is well over double of that of the whelen. In real world terms, the recoil is at a different level. If you shot a 375 H&H, you'd think, not so bad. When you shoot the lott with 500 or 600 gr loads, it'll either put a big grin on your face, or kindly put the rifle down and decline further shots.

I've found that when I've fired heavy recoiling guns for the first time, the first shot isn't nearly as bad as I expected. It's the 3rd shot that seems to always re-confirm that the beast kicks.

Slowly pull the trigger and enjoy

Hi Pharmpoke:


Where is he going to get 600 grain bullets in 458 caliber..???

You better stick to 500 grain bullets or less..


Regards... Jim P.

I suggest that your pal get a new recoil pad installed before the fun begins. The Rugers have a decent pad if you're shooting 300's and smaller. When you light the Lott off, you'll see stars if you're not careful.

He said he had some old Barnes 600gr round nose soft point bullets- did they, or do they really make such a beast? Where do you find reloading data for this caliber?

You will be right, you will fire it and be hooked on bigbores for life !!

I do believe the Barnes loading manual has data for the 600 gr bullets.

It's at home.

I would expect you to have problems fitting enough powder in the case with such a long bullet. I used RL15 with 500 gr hornadys, and even with a drop tube, my loads were compressed a fair bit.

I just can't resist loading 600 GRAINS of fun ....The load I hunt with will probably be 500-550 for large animals and 400 for the smaller variety.

I enjoy experimenting.

I understand, but if you want to experiment and have fun, consider getting something bigger. My 500 Jeffrey starting load with a 600 gr cast bullet was doing 2200 fps.

I really like the Lott, and can't wait to wring out my new one, but the case really isn't that big. I can't see effectively using more than 500 gr bullets in it.

The 458 Lott doesn't recoil nearly as bad on the internet, it's when you really shoot one that it kicks the crap out of you....You will know when you pull the trigger.

Recoil-it's really only a figment of the imagination.

Stand tall. I mean really stand up to shoot it. DO NOT SIT DOWN!

My first shot with heavy breathing, heart racing and eyeballs bulging nearly went unnoticed because of the adrenalin pump. But, as has been noted that next one nearly clocked my heart and by number three I seeing stars and the bells were ringing. DO NOT SIT DOWN!

Now, when I plan to shoot it I warm up with full house 375's and 416's before going any further. You will love it. It really is more fun and there is something to be said about bragging and showing people the bruises on your arm and shoulder. But, really it is alot of fun.

Did I mention that you should stand while shooting it?

.44, if you will e-mail me I will send you the barnes page.

Good luck

Frank

I've put about 60 rounds through mine, including about 12 off the bench. I've been shooting 'plinking' loads of 82 gns. 4320 under 500 gn. Hornady solids.



I quickly replaced the recoil pad. But if I were your buddy, I'd shoot it with the original pad a few times. That way he'll know if the new pad helps. Don't shoot it off the bench though right away. Not without a bag of shot in between you and the butt. Not unless you'd like to relocate your retina .



The recoil will wake you up, but I don't find it too bad. But I've yet to shoot it with just a tee shirt or other thin clothing on.



Just keep it good and firm against you. Hold it tight, pulling it in to you with your fore-hand and slightly pushing away with your trigger hand. Keep a good grip on everything and let'er rip. You'll be fine. I don't shoot more than 10 or 12 per session. I've been keeping 'em in about a 6-7 inch group at 100 yds., off hand. Not great, but I'm not that great a shot...



It's a good Zen type thing, keeping your mind focused and trying to be perfect in all, knowing the explosive chaos that pulling the trigger will cause. I Kinda like it. There's something wrong with me...



-Steve

Two Canoes,
Tell me that when you pull you figment er make that thumb out of your nose!!