Minkman,

Just got back from a successful DG trip with the Ruger's M77 Lott..My rifle shot all of the bullets the same...500RN Hornadys, 450Barnes X, 500Gr.Hornady solids, and Bridger 450gr. solids...All shells were loaded with 4320, 83gr. 215 fed primer...
When I did my job of holding still I would fire a one hole group at 75yds...I'm lucky my rifle shoots them all bullets well...
Barnes X hit buf in right shoulder broadside and went all the way to under the skin on the left side and he absorbed over 5000lbs of energy and went no more then 15 yds. and fell...Waited with Ph for 2 minutes while 20+ bull stood by at 35yds. and gawked at us then ran away and we walked up and Ph had me shoot him again with a solid and it damn near raised his feet up 2 feet as he rocked with the impact of the Bridger solid...

Mike

Minkman,

My favorite load for my Lott consists of Hornady brass, Fed 215 primers, 450X Barnes and 81.0 gr. of H-4895. This load chronographs at 2350 and the poi is identical for softs or solids. I used this load to whallop two buffalo in Tanzania last year. Both were one shot kills and bullet weight retention was 449 gr on one bullet and 450 on the other. I also use the Limbsaver recoil pad which really helps handle some of the recoil.

Bull1

Hey Mink,
I say keep it simple and duplicate the 500 grain Hornady factory loads, then your sights will be set no matter. Use RL-15 or Varget and somewhere around 84 to 85 grains of powder with RL-15, or 85 to 86 grains with Varget, one grain less with the solid than the soft if using Hornady or Woodleigh bullets. Aim for 2200 to 2250 fps with the 500 grainers from a 24" barrel. That is what the Hornady factory loads do, same as my handloads do, but the handloads are a tad more uniform and accurate, and the soft and solid shoot to same POI, better than the factory stuff. Works for me, and it can work for you. Then quit fiddling and go hunting.

Of course a monometal 450 grainer at 2300 to 2350 fps has a lott to recommend it too. I can hear the violins now, fiddling away ...