TO ALL,
TYE is having problems getting the velocity that he wants with his LOTT which has a 21" barrel. He would like to stay with 500gr. bullets but has decided to try 450gr.

Any and all suggestions/recommendations to help get the loads up to 2250-2300fps. with this barrel, are welcome.

Thank you for your time.

SAM

BTW, I did down load all of the recent excellent information that has been here on the LOTT and gave it to him.

If there is anything to add specifily for the short barrel, please submit.

Thanks again.

SAM

I think a 500 Gr. bullet at 2200 fps. would be more realistic for this barrel lenth. If you want to keep chamber pressures at a reasonable level. Many 458 Lotts top out at about 2300 fps. or a bit more with 500 gr. bullets in a 24 inch barrel. With 3 inches less barrel lenth you are losing about 75 fps. off the 2300 fps. you would be getting with a 24 inch barrel.

[This message has been edited by Mitch (edited 04-21-2002).]

Big Sam,

This is from on of my prior posts. I feel that I may have a "slow barrel" on this gun as Ray Atkinson describes. Your friends results will vary with his barrel and length. If he can get it to 2200 - 2250 fps, it should be enough for anything he will come across.

*******************************************

Update! I tried a new powder per D'Arcy Echols suggestion and he was dead right. These are the results of H4895 out of my 24" barrel Winchester M70 458 Lott. These are Hornady 500 gr FMJ.
80 gr.
2235 fps
2234 fps
2258 fps
2261 fps
2266 fps

82 gr.
2314 fps
2287 fps
2307 fps
2294 fps
2285 fps

83 gr.
2320 fps
2324 fps
2341 fps
2343 fps
2344 fps

84 gr.
2318 fps
2330 fps
2344 fps
2370 fps
2363 fps

The groups cut in half and the powder at 83 grains or less was not compressed. I think I have found my powder.

*******************************************

Longbob,
Good loads and mighty effective too...I settled on 83 or 84 grs. of IMR-4320 for 2350 FPS in my Lotts...I got that load from David Millers suggestion in one of the gun rags, Rifle or Handloader and it is the only load that I could get 2350 with on my chronograph with the several guns I built..but anything over 2200 is fine as for as I'm concerned. 2350 with a 500 gr. bullet is hell and damanation on Buffalo out of the Lott..

I can do 2350 FPS out of this 460 Wby. Mauser double square bridge, of Searcys with about 36,000 PSI probably and the recoil is about like a 300 gr. 375 with the lack of pressure...I've had the gun for sale but I'm sorta having second thoughts, like I really need another DGR!! but a real big bore with such little recoil is pleasing indeed.

------------------
Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

The 458 lott I used to own had a 21 1/2" barrel, but was back bored 1 1/2" to ~.470", and had 10 1/4" holes drilled perpendicular to the backboring. Not sure what effect the porting had on velocity, but it must have dropped it some.

Using RL 15, CCI 250 primers and Hornady 500 gr softs, I was able to get 2270-2280 fps. The loads were worked up in relatively cool weather, so I can't recomend their use in hot climates.

I don't think there will be any problem getting 2200-2250 fps, but think 2300 requires a 23-24" barrel. Of course, if one adds enough powder, they could do it, but I wouldn't use such a load for hunting.

"I can do 2350 FPS out of this 460 Wby. Mauser double square bridge, of Searcys with about 36,000 PSI probably and the recoil is about like a 300 gr. 375 with the lack of pressure...I've had the gun for sale but I'm sorta having second thoughts, like I really need another DGR!! but a real big bore with such little recoil is pleasing indeed."

I wondered if you still had that gun. I thought that if I was real nice to you, I might find my way into your will.

RAY,
If you still have that gun when we go to Tanzania, bring it along. We'll give it some "experience".

Sshhhhhh, don't let Butch know.

SAM

TO ALL,
I wasn't out to shoot yesterday since I was on call for the OR but TYE called me DELIGHTED with the new results on the LOTT.

With 450gr. North Fork bullets using RL7 and H4895, he got 2325 fps. All 5 shot groups were under 7/8".

He is now going to try 3031 and also work on 500 gr. bullets.

He wanted me to pass on his thanks to all who offered recommendations for this gun.

More later.

SAM