What are the opinions on the best powder for use with the .458 Win Mag loading 500 grain bullets? Looking for the best combination of accuracy and speed. Just surfing around, H335 and AA2230 both seem to get good reviews.

I know, I know, can the .458 Win Mag and get a .458 Lott -- that's not what I am interested in.
Really looking for feedback on the .458 Win Mag powders.

Thanks.

Personally, I have had excellent results with varget. good velocities low deviation and super accuracy.jj

quote:

Originally posted by bwanajcj:
Personally, I have had excellent results with varget. good velocities low deviation and super accuracy.jj

Same here

I get very good accuracy and excellent velocity (2,100 to 2,200 fps) with AA2230 and most 500 grain bullets I have tried.

Another vote for Varget. It is the only powder I can get over 2050 fps with and no extraction issues.

MJInes:

I have excellent results with H4198 and AA2230. I am shooting 450 grain GS Custom Flat Point Solids with the H4198 and AA2230 with the North Fork 450 grain Cup Point Solids. Both to 2250 with absolutely no signs of pressure and these are not compressed loads.

I like the way the AA2230 meters and will probably use it for both loads when the H4198 runs out.

I have also heard that Reloader 7 is an option for the .458WM.

Good Luck.

RCG

When I had a 458WM, AR2207 (H4198) was excellent, particularly with the 350gr Hornady. For the 480gr Woodleigh, AR2206H (H4895) gave good velocity (not the absolute fastest) and accuracy. If I had to pick one only, I would go to H4895.
Cheers...
Con

Bwanajcj, AfricanHunter and BigBullet,

What loadings are you using with Varget? Hodgdon lists 74 grains with a 500 grain bullet.

Mike

My regular loads for whitetail and auodad, are 500 gr hornady soft and 72gr @2050 or 74gr @ 2150. both seem to be mild recoiling loads and both hit same poi and produce groups in .5-.75" range. those velocities are estimates i have not chronoed these, but it is on my agenda for the summer. my rifle is a win model 70 safari classic with a leupy 2-7 on it.jj

...as per your request: 500gr bullets ONLY.

H-335, and AC-2230 give good velocities in my 24"bbl M-70. Various bullets, Hornady, Speer AGS, Woodleigh, and TBSH have proven to be acceptable in my rifle. The best accuracy, and velocity are with TBSH. However, the other brands of bullets are only slightly slower, 20-25fps average overall, and accuracy is not an issue with any of them.

Work up your loads utilizing the appropriate manuals, and either powder should prove satisfactory.

The main reason I use these two powders is, the bullets are not stuffed into the powder charge, but seem to sit snugly on top. And,pressure has not reared its ugly head at the velocities I'm shooting the aforementioned bullets.

With todays components, 2150fps is readily achieved in my rifle. Higher velocities are reachable, but I'm satisfied with 2150fps...
It works for me.

JLS

Hornady seems to have done this already: Varget.
Gives me 2150 fps with Hornady and AGS solids.

I use 72.0 grains of Varget under 500 gr Hornady solids and get right at 2060fps. Easy extraction.

Will,

What load to use with with 500 grain bullets and Varget?

Mike

The load came off Hornady's website, at one time, that I can't seem to find now.

Anyway, it's about 74 gr. But use at your own risk. Trial and error to suit yourself, per your chronograph.

RCG, is the AA2230 a spherical? Does it meter well enough to forego weighing each load? Any comments on how the Varget meters? I'm always happy to find a powder that meters well enough to through charges directly from the measure.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Bwanajcj, AfricanHunter and BigBullet,

What loadings are you using with Varget? Hodgdon lists 74 grains with a 500 grain bullet.

Mike

Use it at your own risk. In the Pre -64 Mod. 70.458 I use 76.5 gr. Varget with 500 Woodleigh solid and Hornady softs, 2109 and 2154 fps respectively. Cases fall out ans last well, but again your risk every rifle is a law unto itself

quote:

Originally posted by cobrad:
RCG, is the AA2230 a spherical? Does it meter well enough to forego weighing each load? Any comments on how the Varget meters? I'm always happy to find a powder that meters well enough to through charges directly from the measure.

Yes it is spherical and an excellent powder for the 458. Accurate shos that 2150 fps is achived at 43000 CUP and that is consistent with the condition of the fired cases I get out of my 22 inch double. I have taken it up to 2250 fps with no signs of high pressure, but 2150 is all one needs. Speer takes its 500 gr tungsten core 500 grainer to 2250 as the short length of this bullet gives a couple of grains of additional capacity with 2230.

quote:

Originally posted by cobrad:
Any comments on how the Varget meters? I'm always happy to find a powder that meters well enough to through charges directly from the measure.

Varget (ADI AR2208) is a stick powder and I wouldn't use a max load without weighing. It wouldn't be hard to get the odd throw to vary 0.5 grains. About one in Fifteen of mine may go +/- , 2 or 3 tenths.
I'm using 500g Hornady softs, 73.5g AR2206 (NOT 2206H) 22" barrel for about 2060fps.
74gr. ejected OK but the case was "firmish" to go back in. (AR 2206 is just slightly faster than 2206H(H4895)

ADI list H4895 (AR H2206) as best of their powders at listed max of 74gr for 2205 in 24".

Past posters here mentioned I THINK, good results with RL7, maybe they'll repost soon.

cobrad:

As mentioned, it is a spherical powder and meters great. You probably don't have to weigh each load once set up but I always weigh each load individually. I don't load a large number of cartridges at a time, so a little extra time and effort is no big deal for a precise powder charge.

RCG

I have had good results with AA-2230. Achieving up to 2,100 fps with easy extraction from a 24" Magna-ported barrel. Combined with Swift A-Frames it also provides good accuracy. I typically use 400 (Woodleigh) and 450 (Swift)grain bullets with this powder, with good velocity and accuracy.