I posted on the marlin forum, but I think I'll have better luck in this forum. I copied the coversation from my marlin post here.



gohip2000



Joined: 11 Jul 2005
Posts: 53
Location: Minnesota/Germany
Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 5:03 pm Post subject: 358 STA

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Didn't really know where to post this cause there's no hunting rifle section, but I'm trying to plan for my next two rifle purchases/builds.
There are two combos I'm looking at.
1. either 358 STA or a 375 H&H
along with a
2. 458 Lott or a 500 A2
Please don't ask what I'll be hunting with these, cause I really don't need them as of yet or maybe ever, but I want them and want to learn to shoot them. I reload, so ammo isn't a major problem
The 358 STA is flat shooting and heavy hitting for everything up to buffalo, the 375 H&H is suitable for everything, but not as flat shooting for long range.
the 458 lott can be purchased in a store and components are cheap for reloading, but something about the 500 A2 attracts me (maybe a .510 600g bullet at 2400 fps) the 500 A2 would be built buy A-square cause they have a rep for reducing recoil on this caliber and good accuracy.
What two would you go with and why?

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ratltrap



Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 25
Location: Alaska
Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:54 pm Post subject:

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No offense to the great crowd here, but you should post this question over at AccurateReloading.

I'm probably too much of a pragmatist to answer this, but here goes:

I have no real experience with either of the big bores you mentioned. I shot a 458 Lott at the range but never in the field. The Lott is a thumper, but it isn't a 460 Wby. I've shot enough 460 to think I'd have a tough time getting enough practice to be good with it. I'm guessing the same might be true of the 500 A-Square. My final thought on the bigs is that while you aren't going to find a shelf with 458 Lott ammo on it anywhere you might really need it, you might actually find some 458 Win. that would work OK in the Lott.

I like both choices for the medium gun. I had a 358 STA and it is a GREAT medium caliber. In fact, if I had to pick one caliber for all of the hunting I do that would be it (I don't have to pick just one so no worries Marlin fans). That said, I no longer own a 358 STA, but there are no flies on my current medium the 375 H&H. My reasoning for the H&H is that it really does matter both what you will hunt with it and and where. First, even though you reload it is always prudent to be able to pick up a box of ammo without a thousand mile trip home. Speaking from experience, that can save a hunt by replacing that box of carefully crafted reloads that just got dropped in the river (Thanks again Bob!). Also, in a pinch the 375 can usually fill in for either of the bigs you propose. Some places that's the minimum for some game, so the 358 won't necessarily fill that niche.
_________________
"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so."
Mark Twain

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gohip2000



Joined: 11 Jul 2005
Posts: 53
Location: Minnesota/Germany
Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:38 pm Post subject:

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thanks for the reply, I'm thinking the 500 A2 is too much money for something that has such a specialized purpose. I am actually seeing 458 lott ammo at a lot of stores here in Minnesota. I see it way more frequently then 458 win mag, but I also see 416 weatherby ammo more frequently than 416 rem or rigby here, so who knows.
I think the 358 STA might be a better match with the lott. and the STA would be excellent for african non-dangerous game if I went that route in the future, of corse you can't find the STA ammo in a store, but I have a feeling that wouldn't bother me.

Question:
Wich combo would you choose

Choices:
358 STA & 500 A2
375 H&H & 500 A2
358 STA & 458 Lott
375 H&H & 458 Lott

 

375H&H and 505 Gibbs.
Total destruction in two sizes. I am shooting a 505 Gibbs 6-10 shots per half hour session from the bench with a 650gr GC cast bullet at 2100fps. Recoil is very manageable or I wouls not be telling this story after forty-plus rounds from the bench.

JMHO

Rich

505 gibs wasn't an option for me, the reason I chose 500 A2 is because it's cheaper to reload(sizing 460wby cases), and it has more bullet selection .510 vs .505. please for future reference, stick with the options I provided.
505 gibbs does apeal to me, but not as much as the A2

The options you provided be darned. I'm with Idaho, 375H&H and 505 Gibbs.

375 + 500 A2.

the 500 jeffery is a much better choice than the outsize old gibbs.

re: your question on cals - you would never, never go wrong with the 375 hollands and the 458 lott.

try buying ammo for those other oddballs on safari ! stay with proven winners .... not something squared or sta whatever that is !

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
375 + 500 A2.

Same here.

I like the 375 and 500 A2 idea, but before you have A-square build you a rifle (more like a railroad tie with a barreled action inletted into it) do a search here on A-Square and Art Alphin and you might change your mind.

I also voted 375 and 500A2. I have a CZ 550 .375 H&H and a Enfield 1917 .470 Capstick is nearing completion as I type this. Hindsight being what it is I should have built the Capstick on a CZ550 action as well but will probably build a 500A2 on the .416 Rigby size CZ 550 down the road. Be careful with .358 STA, there are different chamber dimensions out there, I had a buddy that built one on a Sako action and when he bought ammo from a company in MD (don't remember the name off the top of my head, I posted it here at the time a few years ago) the rounds wouldn't chamber. At the time A-Square was back up (in the process of moving to IN I think) and they shipped up their dies and some loaded rounds and they worked fine.

I went with the obvious, the 375H&H & the 458LOTT

I voted for the 375/458 combo too. If I may ask, why not a 505 Gibbs? It can be built for about the same price or less than the A2. Or you could just buy one of the CZ Safari Classics. The Lott would be even easier to form brass for than the A2 and cheaper too. Ammo is much more readily available for the 375 and the Lott as are components for those of us that reload.

While I love the bigger guns, the .375 H&H and .458 Lott is a great combo and you could not go wrong with that setup.

375 + 458 Lott if you have a number of nice doubles that you enjoy.

If not, save up as required and get a .375 or .410 caliber double and hunt any thing in the world with confidence.

(as long as you are well practiced)

There is no better made thing in the world that has come from the hands of men, than a correctly built in the U.K. pattern, double rifle, period the end!

375H&H and 458Lott. If you are only doing two. These were my choices for my big bores. They are the cheapest to shoot, which means more practice.

If the Lott does not give you enough recoil. Then build a 500A2 or 510 Wells, but they will not kill anything deader than the Lott.


Hog Killer

Get the .375H&H and .458 Lott.

I don't know your reloading ability or recoil tolerance level.

The .375H&H can be shot by anyone (my wife shoots mine with no problems), and the .458 Lott can be learned to be shot by anyone, given time. In addition, factory ammo, brass. and less expensive bullets are available for this combination.

George