New for 2003, Winchester's long awaited .450 WSM

In keeping with the current trend of "short and stubby is good", Winchester will release a .450 WSM as a replacement within the market niche that rendered the .458 Winchester obsolete. The .450 WSM has got gun writer's buzzing, early comparisons to even Weatherby's 224 Rocket indicate the .450 WSM has a distinctive muzzle energy advantage.

Stuffed with a 500 grain Woodleigh WeldCore bullet, in an effort to conserve the almost non-existent case powder capacity, compressed loads of IMR 3031 yield 2034 fps through a 20" barrel. Winchester's G M, J. P. Sloem Downs indicated, "Through a very diligent engineering effort, we've been able to under perform yet another entire group of existing cartridges, there's no stopping us now. We are now looking at the other end of the spectrum, and considering a .17 WSM for a Fall 2003 release".

The first gun chambered for the new cartridge is a Winchester Custom Shop 20" barrel version of the Model 70 Compact Classic. At 6 lbs, scope and sling included, the new Safari Compact is anticipated to be a attention getter. The 87 ft/lbs of recoil, and enough muzzle blast to start a forest fire, only add to the gun's personality.

Gents,

Go to Real Guns and see the specs on the round.
www.realguns.com/commentary/comar60.htm

This is what Iv'e been looking for.

Roger QSL

Gents,

Sorry as to the Web address. It should read:

http://www.real-guns.com/Commentary/comar60.htm

Roger QSL

Gents,

Hook, line, and sinker. HI

Roger QSL

I love the write up on the "new" T/C muzzleloader. I nearly fell off my chair the first time I read it last fall.

Cheers,
Canuck

I'll believe it when I see it chronographed in front of me. I doubt that the 458 Win will be obsolete any time soon. It may be supplanted by the 458 Lott and all the bigger calibers but not by the new cartridge with today's powders.

It's a gag. fellas.

George

And an old one at that.

George,

Darn it, you bursted my bubble.

I really thought the 224 was worth looking into.HI

Just thought I'd bring up an old laugh.

However I am seriously looking at a shortened (2") Rigby wildcat. Getting lots of good help at the Accurate Wildcat site.

Roger QSL

What's with 3031? AA2230 would be far better for this application...go figure...

Take a look at my post in "Gunsmithing"...a 'smith in the Northwest has a reamer. Follow the thread to his website for a photo. Interesting but what would be the use or real benefit over a 450 Marlin bolt-action.

Bill,

The 450 Marlin won't get 2150 with a 500 gr. slug. Trying to see if I can accomplish this with a lower pressure load. Hence, the short 450 Rigby. Who knows!

Thanks,

Go figure,

If you have some suggestions for a 500 gr. slug in a 2" case (Rigby) let me know.

Thanks,

Roger QSL

Even if it wasn't a joke I'll stick with my 24" barreled Win. M70 .450 Marlin. Using spitzer type bullets and this cartridges really shows what it can do. Lawdog

Lawdog,

What does it do?

Roger QSL

Roger,

Quite well. Drives a Hornady 500 gr. RN(either FMJ or SP) at 1,997 fps. with 47.4 gr. of H4198 with no signs of any type of pressure. That's not to far under .458 WM velocities. How does driving a Hornady 350 gr. RN SP at 2,339 fps. with 51.9 gr. of H4198. This last load scored one shot kills on Moose, Caribou and Black Bear for me in Alaska last year. I just wonder how the 500 gr. load would work on Cape Buffalo? Lawdog

lawdog...you were going to share some of your loads with me plus the stuff you got from Hornady but I've never heard back from you.

Lawdog,

Sent for a case from John Noveske based on the 458x300WSM. He sent me quite a bit of QL data on the possible loads for this round. There was not any info on a 500 grain load. He is going to be loading and shooting his gun in this round within the near future. He also stated he would be doing conversions on rifles as he is a smith.

I havn't given up on the 416 Rigby by 2inch in 458 yet, but will wait and see what develops with the 458x300/WSM.

Bill,

Again thanks, for John's "E" address. He has responded to me, very quickly by the way, and I'm waiting for an empty case from him. Not exactly the round I was thinking of, but must see it.

Roger QSL

Bill,

I truly am sorry for taking so long in getting that information to you. Got the information you wanted that I got from Hornady but I am still unable to scan it due to Lexmark. I talked to their customer service yesterday and they assured me that the two CD's(new software) for my scanner/printer should be here within a week. I will get it to you if I have to go down town and pay to have it scanned onto a disk. I know this isn't gun/hunting related but with the problems I've had with Lexmark and their customer service department I am unable to recommend them to anyone. In other words DON’T BUY ANYTHING LEXMARK MAKES! Lawdog