I bought a 1973 winchester super grade 458 I guess because I always wanted a model 70 458 winchester.I was thinking about how smooth the pushfeed is compared to some of the crf guns I have shot.I was just wondering if any one else had one of these.I think the 458 will disapear soon if its not brought back.It is a very efficent cartridge but I like the 416 rem mag better due to it being more versitle and longer range shooting.I always wanted a 458 though.I had a Savage 458 but it was 6 3/4 pounds and I though it would last maybe 10 shots in that light stock.

I used a push feed M-70 in 375 for a number of years and finally sold it to one of my guides. He still uses it. They are quite good guns, especially if you take a little effort to make sure the extractor stays clean. I hear from Joe Coogan that African legend Harry Selby now uses a push feed M-70 458 Win since he sold his 416 Rigby. you can't get a much better recommendation than that.

I have a model 70 push feed in .375 H&H as well. I believe it was made in 1964 or 1965. So it was the first of the push feeds. No problems with it. I plan on using it on plains game again in 2007.

I have a M70 .458WM PF (1976) Couldn't be more happy with it. Bolt cycles like greased lightning.

I looked at a couple of those rifles recently, .458, and thought they looked real good. In the end I bought a Remington Safari because it was stainless. I have another Remmy that I had built into a custom .300 10 years ago, and that rifle has worked as slick and fool-proof as one could hope for. (Have you read the CRF vs PF thread? ) You have a fine rifle there.

I used to have one of those. Mine was about a 1970 model. Two or three trips to Africa and a fair amount of plinking and it never let me down. They are kind of light for a 458 though.

I figured that I could not beat it for the money.Its like new and hardly been shot.I wanted an old ruger 458 but could not find the right one that was not missing something or another.

Down here the PF s M70 super grades second hand go for about the same price as a brand new cz550 in 416 Rigby or 458 Lott etc. (about $A1500.00) I didn't even hesitate to go with the M70.

The action on my push-feed Ruger M77 .458 Win is very very slick - probably the smoothest bolt gun I've ever used and the rifle fits me like a good bird gun.

jal, Are winchester prices as crazy down there as they are here???

I don't think much has happened here yet.
Win s seem to range from $A1000 to $A1500 depending on model.
The biggest changes here seem to be the "specials" and package deals that some shops do now and then.
Eg. Win 70 Super Shadow .223 WSSM w. Leupold VX 1 3x9x40 & mounts new at $A 990 or
Classic Featherweight .243 WSSM with same scope and mounts $A1190 etc.

Another shop, M70 Clas.Feath. 7mm WSM new $A649, others up to 990.00, so ya gotta shop around and some people put the squeese on Gun shops doing it tough.

I bought my adopted dad a PF Win in 375 H&H in 1986. Very smooth and reliable; never missed a beat. Very tractable to shoot as well. Not as lively as my Sako, but definitely more comfortable to shoot.

There are no flies on the .458 Win Mag in my admittedly inexperienced view. Modern "ubergeschoss" (super-bullets) mean that a present day 450 grain bullet is more effective than any of the 500 grain projectiles from the "good old days". Powders are better as well.

I cannot handle the recoil impulse of a .458 Lott. I can handle the 458 Win Mag. While every one else is buying Lotts it might be a good time to get a 458 Win. You can always trim Lott brass back if need be .

LD

I LOVE this thread, no nay-sayers yet. I LIKE shooting my M70 458W standing with its heavy scope. Not so much without at just under 9 lbs.
So to sight in the scope properly for longer range I've just made up a quick lead sled arrangement. A nylon strap around the butt pad, a rope leading off each end, over the front of the bench rest, and one or two 2Ltr water bottles hanging off the ends.
Now probably somethings going to break, and I hope I don't get too wet.

I might have to sell the 458 win mag super grade.I cant find brass and am trying to stick to the 416 rem mag caliber because I have tons of brass and bullets already.