I'm heading out on Saturday for a Dall Sheep hunt here in Alaska. As of yesterday I was planning on bringing my 358 Norma Mag, but since I managed to completely destroy the stock (don't ask!!)my only other rifle is my 458 Lott so here is my question:

Have any of you loaded the 300 gr Barnes X-bullets in the Lott and if so how was your accuracy?

I have used the 400 gr X bullets and they shoot great in my Remington 700 (yeah,yeah I know it's a push-feed ) . Should I even wory about trying to load up the 300 gr for this hunt??.

If your rifle shoots the 400gr x well ,don't bother with the 300gr.I do think the 400gr will kill a sheep quite well!!Out to 200-250yds you will be fine

Erik,
Expected a joke.

You are serious, eh? So was Mr. Chadwick.

I used the 350's and got 1.5 MOA at best on paper for 3 shots with the Lott. It always seemed the lighter the bullets didn't shoot as well as the heavies in the 45 bore

I have killed moose with the 500 grainer in a .458 Win Mag, but have never shot game with the 300 X.

Remember the Chadwick Ram? The stone sheep that is the "greatest North American trophy of all time?" It was taken with a 300 grain 404 Jeffery load, by Mr. Chadwick who thought the 404 was an excellent sheep and bear rifle.

Load them up and see how they shoot, if not so good, try the 350 grainers. At least the 350 grainer has a BC >0.4 for the long shots at sheep.

Erik,
I loaded up about 5 different loads with the 300gr X's and accuracy was withing hunting MOA. 400gr X's was just alot more accurate so I didnt pursue the 300grainers.

I started with 85gr IMR 3031. Then went 86, 88 and 89grs. I want to say the 88gr did the best but dont quote me on it.

[ 08-06-2003, 09:06: Message edited by: JoelS ]

Thanks for your input guys. I though maybe I could get a little better performance out of the 300 gr vice the 400's if I had a longer shot. But looking at the manual the 300's will only give me about 1.5" at 300 yards so it might not be worth it. I'll load up some 300's tomorrow and give them a try anyways. If the accuracy if there I will go with them

That brings to mind something about useing the right tool for the job!!! I think I would opt fot a 270 and keep the Lott for 50 yard shots at Buffalo....Makes since to me....

Erik - Where are you hunting? Is this a draw permit hunt? KMule

KMule,

It is in Nebesna in the Wrangells. And it is an open hunt. Last year I got to within 100 yds of a group of rams there, but couldn't tell if they were legal. The largest looked to be at least a 7/8 curl, so I'm counting on him being at least full curl this year. If I can find him. I have better optics now and should be able to judge better.

I'm back and I got skunked again. I think this area has two much hunting pressure on the first days of the opening (those damn 4 wheelers are everywhere!!). Still enjoyed being out in the great outdoors though.
I stayed with the 400 gr X's, since I couldn't get the 300 gr to group worth a damn and didn't have enough time to play with the load development

KMule, I have no idea what the rifle weights. It is fairly light though. Full house 500 gr loads hurt a wee bit. Not so bad with the 400 gr loads.

On the same subject, are there any lighter(300-400gn) spitzer shaped, pointy .458" bullets. I was thinking of the same sort of idea for hunting non buffalo sized game at longer than 50 yards. I dont mean realy pointy ,boat tail type bullets ,but some which will shoot a bit flatter and still be suitable for camels, donkeys and Brumbies(wild horses) .