Ok I think I have sorted out the 50 Emails I have on this now. Here is the general concensus of opinion.

The rifle to get is the BRNO ZKK 602 in 458 win mag. Then have the minor work done to convert it to 458 lott. This action can handle the 375HH so not much needs to be done. Then Have the barrel cut to 22" and install a removable muzzle break with thread protector for load developement and practice shooting. This will allow a 500 grain bullet to go 2200 plus FPS with no pressure problems and this rifle is as close as possible to the Lott so the costs will be low to build.

Anything I'm missing? any other ideas or suggestions? jj

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The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have.

Sounds pretty good to me...add a m-70 safty and a Blackburn trigger. I would use a Mauser action or a pre-64, but thats all just personal choice...They got you on the right track...

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

The 602 is a good action but the safety on them works backasswards so that would need changing. They also can come with a single set trigger and this again needs changing out. I think I would buy one of the new CZ550s if I wanted the BRNO action. I would also suggest building up one from scratch or having a competent 'smith do it. Two thousand will get a dream working rifle done properly with all the bugs worked out set up to you spec's. The Lott is the wise choice and in a 22" barrel 2250fps is a breeze.

As i remember, you have a 375 and 30/06 in M70 Stainless.

I would look at getting an M70 458. I have not seen the current obnes but if they are the sdame as the 7mm Rem, then they will already have the bolt stop and ejector blade st for 375 lenght. The magazine will be blocked but the "spacer or block" tapers back to the 375 magazine. In other words the bolt comes back 375 lenght.

If America is like Australia, then there will be quite a few used (hardly used ) 458s out there.

This way you would have matching rifles.

As well, if things turn out that you don't want or need a 45, then you could rebarrel back to 375 and then you would have a blued and a stainless 375.

Mike

LOOSE THE MUZZLE BRAKE. I never use the one on my watts. Shooting it is like setting off a bomb to these arround you. feeel the concussion. the muzzle brake does not have as much jet effect to work on as say a 300 mag. I never noticed much difference with it or not.

s to recoil, a few years ago I started using abag of lead shot behind the but. Weighs abiut 15 pounds. takes a bit of getting use to.

But if you were not going to use a brake in the field I would look at using the bag of shot.

Point of impact is virtually unchanged and you can shoot them until the barrel melts.

Mike

Mikie 375 .....who carries the 15 lb bag of shot when you are hunting?

DB Bill,

I assumed if he does not use the brake in the field then he only wants recoil reduction at the range.

Mike

Mike375....a modest attempt a humor. I guess it was more modest than I thought.

JJHACK,
I built the .458 Lott you have described and it was very nice and very effective.
However, as John S mentioned, the safety and trigger of the "602" leave something to be desired. Having used this rifle, I now realize the extra weight of this rather massive action and its' extra magazine capacity is really not worth carrying around all day by the visiting hunter. Knowing that I can handle the caliber in an 8 or 8.5 lbs rifle, my next .458 Lott will be built on the trimmer Winchester action which I now feel is best for this caliber, all things considered.
For the professional, the 602 is, perhaps, the better choice. I would not go with a tube shorter than 23".

Nick thanks for your reply but 20" is too long where I need to use this thing. Maybe if I were 6'2 or taller a long barrel would be easier but at 5' 10" I need a rifle that is much easier to swing. Jack lotts original rifle in this caliber was 22" and the load developement on the cartridge was based on that length, I don't think it will be all that bad. What the heck I have come up 2" in my original thought ot 20" but I cannot use it over 22" it is just to tough to swing in the heavy bush on hands and knees. jj

JJ

I have seen a few people at our range shoot the Ruger Number 1 in 458 very quickly in terms of aimed shots. And they are jam proof

They would be very short for you at a 22 inch barrel and conversion to the Lott would be super easy.

Are they practical for Africa.

Mike

One shot is not practical for me. Maybe in the controlled environment of a range you could load a second shell quick but at a moments notice or less in awkward terrain or in places where the bush is thick and grabbing at your clothes it is not realistic. I could not see myself carrying another round around in my hand all day either. May sound nice but I will not be trying it any time soon.

I have the wheels turning on this project now. Gun builder John Ricks of Olympia Washington has found the "right stuff" to make this happen. jj

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The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have.

Hallo Jim,

Glad you got round to going for the Lott. My rifle is much Nicks, it was built by Kevan Healey of Bloem Custom Guns - it's twin was built for Gregor Woods, the Magnum Magazine's hunting editor and a article worth reading up on it and it's application etc is in the September 1998 issue, you can order a back issue from them if need be.

My rifle is built on an origial BRNO 602 in 458 Win, I had the barrel cut down to 21" for the same reasons you have cited, I had the set trigger replaced and retained original rear sights. I've since got used to the safety as I could not find a local replacement.

The only other changes made to the metal was to add a barrel band front swivel for attaching a sling, re-fitted the front sight and had the action lapped and slick up some. I had a fibreglass stock (straight/ classic style i.e no high comb) made by the Harrison Brothers in Cape Town and a sorbothane recoil pad fitted.

The rifle weighs in at 8,5 lbs and is OK to shoot with full loads at the bench if one keeps it down to "short salvoes". The recoil is not noticeable in the field and I am very very happy with the end result as it is also suprisingly accurate.

Regards,

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Peter V
www.shafa.net
Shafa Safaris

I went almost the same way, that is to the Lott. Instead, I have used the CZ barrelled action (.458 Win) and am having it made into a 460 G&A. The stock is being replaced with a laminate that will be painted black. I am a fan of walnut but not albe to do it right with a wood stock of proper figure right now. The safety will be a PME 3 position. Barrel length will remain the factory length of 65cm - a little longer than 25 inches. The factory open sight will remain in place for now. I hope to have it back in my hands sometime in the fall at which time you all will get a report here.

regards,

redleg

redleg,

Does redleg stand for "artillery"?

I was talking to an Army Lt. Colonel in airport a few weeks back, and he gave me the strangest look when I asked him if he was a redleg. It was obvious he had no clue what I meant. I wondered if I should turn him in to security!

I guess the times they are a-changin'.

Semper Fi,
Don

Don G,

It truly is a shame that a commissioned US Army officer did not know what a "redleg" was. Must have been a desk ranger...

best regards,

redleg

Guess the US Army officer was being all he could be. Semper Fi you all

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"If you can keep your head about you when all others are loosing theirs and blaiming it on you..."