Ron Spomer not talking about the 458 win mag

but it reflects the--- now new ---458 win mag history



''when it comes to hunting, ballistic performance alone is not enough. Rifles, cartridges, bullets, horsepower and velocity must be paired with experience, knowledge, training and discretion. A great shooter with a 30-06 will be more successful than a poor shooter with a 300 RUM, 26 Nosler, 338 Lapua or 408 Cheytac. Anyone who shoots a 30-06 has an easier time becoming successful for many reasons. Here are some of them:

Ammunition is 2X to 4X less expensive. This means you can afford to train more.

Recoil is significantly less. This means you’ll want to train more — and not flinch while doing so. (In 8-pound rifles, 300 RUM = 32 ft-lb free recoil energy; 30-06 Springfield = 18 ft. lb.)

Ammunition is available with a wider variety of bullet weights and velocities. Handloaders can work with bullets from 100-grains to 220 grains in styles from round-nose to flat-nose to hollowtip/boattail VLD. Factory ammo can be found from 125-grain to 220-grain.

Rifles can be more convenient in 30-06 Springfield because performance can be maximized in 22- to 24-inch barrels while the bigger magnums require longer, heavier barrels of 26- to 28-inches. The lighter recoil level of the -06

also means lighter weight rifles can be carried on tough hunts involving considerable hiking and climbing.


30-06 Springfield rifles are usually much less expensive than any super magnum. The Ruger American, Savage Axis and Mossberg Patriot are three examples of bolt-actions available in 30-06 ''



The 458 win mag is back just as folks have realized years later not much you can not do with the 30-06

if something works well it just works

link to full article on the 30-06

https://ronspomeroutdoors.com/...springfield-is-best/

Stradling . u should never mention such a great round as the 458. In the same post as the hated over rated. Cartridge.

The only thing I would do to improve the 458 Win Mag is shorten it to 2.35" and shoot 400 grain 45-70 bullets @ 2,150 fps in a light and short 2.8" short action or 300 grain @ 2,400 fps. A fine "brush gun". Use 458 winmag reamer and single load factory 458 winmag ammo if desired. With a Montana rifle company 3.125" short action length you could use those longer pointy 458 rifle bullets with the 2.35" version and still mag feed for more boom room and higher BC bullets.

I don't see that as a cost effective benefit over a standard 458 Win . .

I was just looking thru an old Barnes manual of mine #2 I think. ( the red one) . I wrote down some crony results in it . 500 gr Horn RNSP. 77 gr Accurate 2230 . 2140 fps from the Spruce King. speed box was prolly 15-18' from the muzzle. Chrony'd on 9-7-01.

The hardest part of wildcatting is finding a reason for them
In the above case it would be to have a short action and not a standard action shooting fat one ounce bullets at modest velocities.

Hornady Factory-loaded Superformance 500-gr DGS/FMJ advertised as 2140 fps,
I chronographed it yesterday in preparation for more serious work on cast bullet handloading.

Oehler 35P was used along with my 24"-barreled Whitworth MkX, yep that pretty one.
MV (chrono-corrected for BC of 0.295) average for 10-shots:

mean = 2124 fps
Sd = 8 fps

Pretty darn good standard deviation for 10 shots of factory ammo.


I got the little 2.5X Leupold dialed to zero with that load at 25 yards.
Trajectory will be roughly:

zero at 25 yards
+1" high at 50 yards
+1" high at 100 yards
zero at 125 yards
-2" low at 150 yards
-3" low at 165 yards
-8" low at 200 yards
-31" low at 300 yards

That strikes me as a big-boringly useful trajectory.

The rest of this may not be so useful.

My one (so far) good cast bullet load for the .458 WinMag is the 409-grain Berry's Hard Cast atop 26.0 grains of AA-5744.
Two 5-shot groups have been shot at 25 yards.
1. Mean = 1182 fps, Sd = 10 fps
2. Mean = 1186 fps, SD = 7 fps



I pulled one low in the above 25-yard group.



They land about 4" high at 25 yards from the rifle that shoots the above DGS load to zero at 25 yards.

With a scope switcheroo or re-zero, a more useful trajectory would be:

+ 1.45" high at 25 yards
+ 2.79" max ordinate at 55 yards
zero at 100 yards
- 4.22" low at 125 yards
It's a rainbow!

1600 fps is definitely too fast in my rifle with same bullet:



Squirrel season is coming ... GOR
Rip
.

quote:

Trajectory will be roughly:

zero at 25 yards
+1" high at 50 yards
+1" high at 100 yards
zero at 125 yards
-2" low at 150 yards
-3" low at 165 yards
-8" low at 200 yards
-31" low at 300 yards

That strikes me as a big-boringly useful trajectory.

That would make it a 200-yard rifle in my book. But upping the sight-in to 2" at 100 yards would make it about a 225 yard rifle.

OK, I've been spoiled with 270s 338s and fast 416s.

quote:

Originally posted by Tanoose:
the hornady load book says you can get 2200 fps with there 500 grain bullets out of a 24" barrel can that velocity actually be reached. i ask because this seems so close to the lott at 2300 fps unless the lott actually gets more. i already have a 416 ruger but have always wanted a 458 and wondering which way to go.

The 458 WM is a wonderful cartridge, I load both mine to an easy 2150 fps with 500 gr Woodleigh PP Weldcore bullets and 450 gr BBW #13 solids with the same powder charge for a bit over 2200 fps and the same POI at 100 yards, although the express barrel sights are adjusted or filed to be dead on at 25 yards with the solid load.

480/500 grains at 2150 has been getting it ALL done up close for near 100 years.

I too have read of great success in paper patching the .458 wm. I just never had to on mine so I didn't. I do use Alox over the entire bullet so maybe that helps center it while it sleeps in the Throat. Don't know. Just works. I have shot a few traditionally groove only lubed ones and they don't shoot quite as well so I add the Alox and we are back to happy.

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
The hardest part of wildcatting is finding a reason for them
In the above case it would be to have a short action and not a standard action shooting fat one ounce bullets at modest velocities.

Kabluey did basically just what you described. . He used a SS Ruger Hawkeye that had been a 350 Rem Mag. I think his experiment was less than successful so he built a 458 Winchester on a standard action. Last I knew he was totally satisfied with it. No small feat.
I never had a problem useing full power ammo on much smaller game than required 5000 ft lbs of muzzle energy. As long as the bullets held together well.

24"-barreled factory .458 Winchester Magnum:

409-grainer at 1184 fps MV average for 10 shots Sd = 8 fps.

That is my one good cast bullet load for the .458 WinMag, so far.
My recipe:

R-P case, 2.495" trim.

F-215 primer.

Case mouth lightly belled with Redding die.

Accurate 5744 Powder: 26.0 grains

I placed a 0.460" diameter, 0.025"-thick card wad over the powder.
I used the store-bought Circle Fly Wads .460" diameter overshot card,
labeled: WAD-460-B, and "Wad .460" diameter thin white card, overshot."
Will punch my own out of spiral notebook writing tablet covers if I run out of that first 1000.

Next I used a 1.5"-long piece of half-inch-diameter foam caulk-saver/backer rod,
placed over the card wad,
that is about as long as air space left in the case,
pushed in with a 3/8" wooden dowel or unsharpened pencil.

Berry's .459"-diameter, 409-grain weight, RNFP, plain base, Hard Cast bullet.
That is the average weight of the bullet with blue lube filling the 3 lube grooves.

Seat bullet to 3.072" COL on the crimping groove above the lube grooves.

Lightly crimp (roll crimp) in the Redding seater die.
Lee factory crimp die not necessary.

First 4 shots with that load went into 0.308" at 25 yards.

It is time to get a scope zeroed just for that load and try it at 100 yards zero,
hope to get 3 shots to go into 1.5" or better at 100 yards.
That will be a nice plinker, with the trajectory of a rimfire .22 LR.
Then I can practice for squirrel season with my elephant rifle.

Squirrel season is coming ... GOR
Rip
.

Glad to see you had some positive results RIP!

quote:

Originally posted by Fury01:
Glad to see you had some positive results RIP!

Yep, I showed that I can shoot a low-recoil cast bullet load better than I can shoot a higher-recoil load.
My excuse is that the Hornady factory loads were more than 4 bucks a pop,
and that really hurts, made me flinch!



Zero-in refinement with that load can wait!
I was happy to be on paper with the first shot at 25 yards.
Two scope adjustments later, I left the 500-grainers at about 1" to the right and about 1/4" high.
That old Leupold 2.5x has very crude adjustments.

So, with the same scope setting, and shooting the 409-gr/1182-fps cast bullet load at 25 yards,
it is about 4" higher and 1" farther to the right than the 500-gr/2124-fps load.



This is a lesson for Nakihunter, on regulating to existing sights by changing loads.

This is also a lesson to me that I need a backup scope for this rifle, zeroed for the cast bullet load:

Nikon Prostaff Rimfire 3-9x40 Matte BDC 150.
Reticle graduated for 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 yards.

Yep, I gotta load up a bunch of those cast bullets and shoot them at 50 to 150 yards,
see how they work.
Shoot a deer or squirrel in the head with one of those, and it is going down!
Good squirrel barker too.

Squirrel season is coming ... GOR
Rip
.

So if your trying to reach the lands with a cast bullet,
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/690032945
Looks like it might work. Also sized at .460

Those are not getting anywhere near the lands with a .450"-diameter bore-rider nose.
Need something that jams into the leade.
How about a .459" diameter wadcutter that is 1.5" long?

Put a hemispherical nose on a cylinder of hard cast alloy and keep it down to 1.5" long and .460" diameter?
Plenty of lube grooves and a gas-check base?
Size to either .459" or .460"?
Might weigh somewhere around 600 to 650 grains, depending on the lube grooves and length?
Even at 1200 to 1300 fps, that would have some authority to it.

What did those Ranger Rick bullets look like in .459"?/+700-grains?
Sumbuddy who know?

Squirrel season is coming ... GOR

Rip
.

Ah shucks, never mind those Ranger Rick bullets.
A cast bullet that allows me to do 22RF work with my .458 WinMag is the cat's meow.
Just a smidgen of Accurate 5744 and filler is all it takes.
Very economical.
My Whitworth Mark X Woodie is being re-dedicated to a busy life of plinking.
I might even be able to get the express sights and receiver sight set up for the plinking at 50 to 150 yards.
Might require a taller front sight,
to go with that Nikon Prostaff Rimfire 3-9x40 Matte BDC 150 scope.

I will read with academic interest any reports of cast bullet load success.
Onward with jacketed and monometal copper and brass bullets and whatever, y'all.

Squirrel season is comung
Rip
.

quote:

to go with that Nikon Prostaff Rimfire 3-9x40 Matte BDC 150 scope.

RIP--do check the eye-relief on that rimfire scope. You might want to go with the Nikon Slughunter, 5" ER and 75 yard parallax setting.

quote:

Originally posted by 416Tanzan:

quote:

to go with that Nikon Prostaff Rimfire 3-9x40 Matte BDC 150 scope.

RIP--do check the eye-relief on that rimfire scope. You might want to go with the Nikon Slughunter, 5" ER and 75 yard parallax setting.

416Tanzan,

I have checked it. On a 22LR.

No need to worry about scope eye relief with my light-recoiling cast bullet load.
These are not famous last words.

I won't use that scope for loads that kick.
But yours is a great scope suggestion for that rifle. Might try that.
I like those Nikons.

Squirrel season is coming ... GOR
Rip
.

Hi RIP!
Have enjoyed the comments on .458s. My "toy" lately has been the .450 Marlin chambered in the Browning Lever Rifle. Had Rich Riley throat it out a bit and now use BLR magazines for the Win Short Mag cartridges (also chambered in the BLR). I now have a rifle that none of my friends have shot more than one round in, 'cept me. Load data was developed using Quick Load and pressures kept under 58,000 psi. I expect squirrels to be launched into the next county if hit with 400gr jacketed bullets at 2150fps. This isn't the fastest load, but we won't go into that. I do load cast bullets, but keep them to a maximum of 1800 fps.
Max

Max; that sounds like a pretty dandy load and rifle. Perfect for Sitka Blacktails on the A. B. C.s. . never know when a guy might have to thump some big punk in a brown fur coat.
I had a deer load for the 416 Taylor with a 400 gr bullet @ 2200 fps that was a peach. Easy to shoot well and enough thump to knock the malevolent out of a problem. With a moderately strong bullet I could eat right up to the bullet hole.
If 400 gr 458 bullets would have been more readily available I would have made up a load like that for the 458. All the 400 gr X bullets I could get became full house ammo . which worked fine . Just not as much fun to shoot.

Rip,
If you want to try some .460 bullets, http://www.gunbroker.com/item/690516903
Evidently these drop from his mold in that allow at .460 or above and he has a .460 sizer. They also have a gas check which means a good flat base. I still would start slow like you are doing now. Kind of pricey but you would have a 100 to see how they work. There may be somebody else who will sell you some .460's but I don't know who that would be.
Also, I think that that previous bullet I sent might get to the lands. .450 is bore size and they look long enough. Bore riders just kiss the lands and support centering not really "jam" in. My .458 485 grains I am loading, I could jam into the lands if i wanted to but I don't have the magazine to support that. Anyway, just thinking about your efforts and wishing you well! I love my .458WM and cast loads. It makes it a gun I can use all the time and that's it important to me.

This must be the longest thread in history on the 458

I first got one about 1971...The Model 70 Supergade is how they came. In Australia the price was just under a Mark v Deluxe in 300 Wby and I bought both The M70 375 was priced between the 458 and the standard M70 is 270 etc.

22" barrel and extremely slick action which no fluke as a mate of mine also got one a bit later and again the slickest action you ever felt.

Winchester 500 FMJ factory ammo did 1960 f/s and that was on the old Oehler Model 10, the one with the paper screens.

My standard load was 70 grains of 4064 nd the 400 grain Speer which was right on 2000 f/s and very accurate. I could not count the number of pigs, kangaroos and emus that were shot with it.

The main issue I had with the 458 was mid range loads with 300 grainers and rifle powders like 4198 wass the very long freebore caused hangfires.

The same 70 grains of 4064 did in the 1900s with 500 grain Hornady and 70 grains of 3031 and the Australian powder equivalent from memory did about 2050 f/s.

Those 458 Supergrades had an extremely business like appearance and to my eye and to my eye the Ryan Breeding stocks look like a copy.

Its long over due !! A # of things brought it about imho. Primarily interested guys with the resources to ascertain the validity or falicy of the claims. My use of the 458 started in 1986. I've shot from crows to brown bear with the ones I've owned. . I'm very satisfied with it. I have learned a bunch on this thread .
I've had 458 in Sako , Interarms, and my Ruger . . The Ruger being far and away the toughest and best rifle for where I lived . Like you I had good loads with lighter than the normal run of factory ammo that served me very well.
This rifle of mine and all the great use it has given me with what is considered "light for caliber" bullets . Prompted one of my very first threads on AR. That being . "Brown bears aren't Elephants "
I got so sick of the at that time current cool thing of Heavy for caliber bullets.
I got sick of that theme. !!!!!
In the olden days , maybe. But nowadays or even 15 years ago. No need.

To shoot only 500 grain bullets in the 458 win mag

is a gross underutilization of a high utility caliber

what you cant get done with this gun is more than likely not worth doing

from squirrels to big bears and on up to elephants

god forbid some one were to shoot an elephant with a 480 grain hornady

Bobs load recipe - a 350 grain barnes at 2700 fps

well that will work

not going to help a guy that bought a 458 jack lott justify his rifle on account --of-- that --the-- a-- no good 458 win mag cant quite get er done

so there is that problem remaining

about the only problem left for the --win mag-- to push aside these days

<a href="https://ibb.co/mxS9ta"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/jmHneF/20170904_081748_Burst01.jpg" alt="20170904_081748_Burst01" border="0"></a>
<a href="https://ibb.co/eCNaYa"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/mXAUta/20170902_153808.jpg" alt="20170902_153808" border="0"></a>

Didn't work .

quote:

Originally posted by prof242:
Hi RIP!

Howdy Max Buddy!

Have enjoyed the comments on .458s. My "toy" lately has been the .450 Marlin chambered in the Browning Lever Rifle. Had Rich Riley throat it out a bit and now use BLR magazines for the Win Short Mag cartridges (also chambered in the BLR). I now have a rifle that none of my friends have shot more than one round in, 'cept me. Load data was developed using Quick Load and pressures kept under 58,000 psi.

James Watts history there too.
Watts did a .458 H&H 2-Inch in the 1950s, before Frank C. Barnes did the .458x2-Inch American in 1962.
And so the .450 Marlin is a .458 Watts 2.09-Inch with a broadened/longer belt to headspace on.
Heck, the .450 Alaskan (.458/.348 Winchester Improved) also was pioneered by Watts,
though Harold Johnson gets design credit for that in the re-writing of wildcat history!
Watts loved the lever actions.

I expect squirrels to be launched into the next county if hit with 400gr jacketed bullets at 2150fps.

I have somewhat less than a ton of "jacketed" (not cast lead) 400-grainers of several types.
That is my preferred weight for most shooting in the various .458s, for squirrels to moose.

This isn't the fastest load, but we won't go into that.

I know you can go higher, as long as you are willing to tighten your screws more frequently.

I do load cast bullets, but keep them to a maximum of 1800 fps.

Wise. A 400-grain cast bullet at 1800 fps is adequate for elk, according to Elmer.
I am satisfied with an accurate, barely supersonic cast bullet, 400-grainer for squirrels and such.

Max

I'll give you a shout-out next time I am in CO and see what'sup.

Squirrel season is coming ... GOR
Rip
.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike McGuire:
This must be the longest thread in history on the 458

Mike,
Stay tuned, we're just getting started.
Onward to page 11, with a catchup from page 10:

416Tanzan's suggestion makes a lot more sense than my idea of using a rimfire scope on my .458 WinMag plinker.
Plus, the Ruger 10/22 gets to keep its scope.
From Midway USA:

https://ads.midwayusa.com/prod...dc-200-reticle-matte

Nikon SLUGHUNTER Shotgun Scope 3-9x 40mm BDC 200 Reticle Matte

Nikon SLUGHUNTER Shotgun Scopes are designed to handle the recoil generated by the heaviest hitting shotguns on the market. Each scope features 1/4 MOA windage and elevation adjustments, up to 92% light transmission and the parallax is set at 75 yards. The BDC 200 reticle is optimized for precision slug shooting out to an unprecedented 200 yards. Waterproof, fogproof and shockproof. All Nikon products include Nikon USA's full or limited warranty.

Reticle Note: Designed for use with aerodynamic polymer-tipped slugs and muzzle velocities of 1900-2000 fps, this trajectory-compensating reticle integrates unique, easy-to-see "ballistic circles" that provide instant aiming points.

Finish Matte Black
Waterproof Yes
Weight 13.7 Ounce
Tube Diameter 1"
Power Variability Variable
Minimum Power 3
Maximum Power 9
Adjustment Click Value 1/4 MOA
Adjustment Type Click
Exposed Turrets No
Finger Adjustable Turrets Yes
Turrets Resettable to Zero Yes
Zero Stop No
Turret Height Medium
Fast Focus Eye Piece No
Lens Coating Multi Coated
Warranty Limited Lifetime Factory Warranty
Rings Included No
Sun Shade Included No
Lens Covers Included No
Reticle BDC 200
Reticle Construction Wire
Illuminated Reticle No
Holdover Reticle Yes
Reticle Focal Plane Location 2nd
Parallax Adjustment Fixed at 75 Yards
Fog Proof Yes
Shock Proof Yes
Overall Length (A) 11.3 Inches
Objective Diameter (G) 1.94 Inches
Eyepiece Diameter (H) 1.65 Inches
Objective Lens Diameter 49.5 Millimeter
Eye Relief 5" Inches
Exit Pupil Diameter 13.3 - 4.4 Millimeter
Field of View @ 100 Yards Minimum Power 25.2 Feet
Field of View @ 100 Yards Maximum Power 8.4 Feet
Maximum Windage Adjustment 60 MOA
Maximum Elevation Adjustment 60 MOA
Ocular Lens Diameter 42.5





One could re-calibrate that reticle to a MV of 1184 fps and BC of .259
scribble that on a notecard,
zero the rifle at 75 yards,
and see how close one could get to reality at longer ranges with the little circles.
Use this link for the calibration,
selecting the 3-9x40 Slughunter scope
and inputting the MV and BC:

http://spoton.nikonsportoptics...spoton.html#Index:24

Done:

cross-hair zero: 75 yards
first circle down: 87 yards
second circle down: 109 yards
third circle down: 129 yards
fourth circle down: 156 yards
bottom duplex point: 194 yards

Another big-boringly useful trajectory?
That would be kind of long range for squirrel hunting.



"A man does not need a back problem."

This brings up the problem of shooting for groups at 25-yards during initial load development,
if your scope is parallaxed for 75 or 100 yards.
You have to make allowance for possible improvement of grouping at proper parallax range.
That is my excuse for the poor groups at 25 yards with the Hornady Superformance 500-grain DGS at 2124 fps MV average,
even with 10-shot Sd of only 8 fps.
Yep, that's my story and I am stickin' to it.

Squirrel season is coming ... GOR
Rip
.

Okay, guys, I'm back. I've been pretty quiet, but been following this thread closely. My 458 has been at the plumber, getting a new bolt fitted and headspace. He finished up the work the hobby smith didn't get done right. Glad I caught his screw up. He had ground the rear of the locking lugs to try to achieve HS..didn't hurt the seating surfaces in the receiver, no setback. Gun is done and on the way to me. Have a couple test loads ready to try. Some of my own cast RCBS BPS 500 gr bullets Clip on Wheel weight, powder coated with Harbor Freight red, sized to .459 over 36 gr 5744. Will give you a range report after I get it back together, prolly next week.

quote:

Originally posted by Les Staley:
Have a couple test loads ready to try. Some of my own cast RCBS BPS 500 gr bullets Clip on Wheel weight, powder coated with Harbor Freight red, sized to .459. Will give you a range report a sap.

Les,
Thanks for extending this thread.
Your results should be interesting.
Your rifle has a SAAMI .458 WinMag throat, I hope, and not a short-throated .458 Winchester Special,
but even the latter would be of interest.

Maybe powder coating is the trick?
I know zero about it but need to learn.
Seems to be the latest greatest?

Another Nikon shotgun/rifle scope that does not have as great eye-relief as the Slughunter,
but it is parallaxed for 75 yards also:



Nikon 1.5-4.5x20mm Monarch UCC Riflescope

By: Ed Turner

http://www.chuckhawks.com/nikon_1-4x20_monarch.htm

I have one of those lying fallow here too.
It would look good on a trim little .458 WinMag.
However, the bulkier 3-9x42.5mm Slughunter wouldn't be too horrible.
I could try both.
With my cast bullet load, eye-relief is not critical.


Squirrel season is coming ... GOR
Rip
.

quote:

Originally posted by Tanoose:
the hornady load book says you can get 2200 fps with there 500 grain bullets out of a 24" barrel can that velocity actually be reached. i ask because this seems so close to the lott at 2300 fps unless the lott actually gets more. i already have a 416 ruger but have always wanted a 458 and wondering which way to go.

Wow! 11 pages.

Back to the OP's question. About 10 years ago I consulted with Bob Mitchell including his blog and a booklet he wrote about the .458 Win. Then I worked up loads with AA2230 and H4198.

With my Model 70 and a 22 inch barrel it is easy to get 2200 fps with a 500 grain bullet, 2250 with a 450 grain bullet, and 2750 with a 350 grain bullet.

With identical pressures, the Lott will only give 70 fps more.

All the old wives tales about powder compression, clumping, and excess heat during hunting season in Africa are simply VooDoo. They are irrelevant. I'm not saying they did not happen. I am saying that there is nothing wrong with the.458 and 500 grain bullets loaded to 2200 fps in a 22" barrel today.

If the extra 70 fps of the Lott gets your rocks off, knock yourself out. Personally, I've never short stroked a round. but then again, I've never short stroked a .375 either.

Rip, I don't know who's finish reamer my guy would have used. Will try it out and post results. For a cast booklet gun, a longer lead into the rifling seems to give good results. On my Shilo Sharps I think is a 18" twist, and the chrono tells me the same bullet is traveling 1374 fps with 26.5 gr 5744 on board. 45-70 smaller case. Powder coat allows higher velocity, so I am trying 36 gr 5744 and will chrono the load in this 14" twist rifle with more case capacity while testing for accuracy. Just have to see what happens.

It worked . hip hop hooray

CTF,

Are you making a pitch adjustment on Spruce King's canoe paddle stock?
What do you hope to accomplish by this?
Less muzzle rise?

I am thinking about building a Spruce King with a short throat.
Just run a .458 Lott reamer into a new stainless barrel from McGowen, but stop 0.3" short.
Might as well make it a 1:18" twist while I am at it.
Now that would be a "cast bullet rifle," a .458 Winchester special.

Just kidding!
Long live the SAAMI .458 WinMag!
Long live The King
Long live The Spruce King too!
Get that stock glued back together, you hear?
Those 1.5-pound canoe paddle stocks are hard to come by.
You are not getting mine, unless from my cold, dead fingers.

Squirrel season is coming ... GOR
Rip
.

Les,
If you don't know anything special about the chamber, it is most like a SAAMI .458 WinMag.

Reverse one of your plain-base or gas-checked bullets, seat it base forward, and see how far to contact in the throat.
If you can get about 0.6" length of it into the throat, it is SAAMI.



I am looking forward to your results with 500-grain, powder-coated, cast bullets:

quote:

Originally posted by Les Staley:
Powder coat allows higher velocity, so I am trying 36 gr 5744 and will chrono the load in this 14" twist rifle with more case capacity while testing for accuracy. Just have to see what happens.

Anything in the 400 to 500-grain range of bullet weight, and whatever velocity works, sounds fun to me.
I am even prepared to learn about this powder-coating rage.
Seems like I am a Luddite in this regard.

Squirrel season is coming ... GOR
Rip
.

I haven't got the resizing thing figured out yet. . feels like 10 years ago when I learnt how to post a pic the first time. .
Even tho I haven't pushed the length thing with bullets in the 458. I still wouldn't want a 1 in 18 twist.
Imho a slow but stabilized bullet is better than a fast one that may be stabil, till it passes a certain velocity threshold.
That scope on the Spruce King done went crook. And since every scope I want to replace it with has a similar length eye piece. AND I had shortened the lop to 12 7/8" I figured I needed to lengthen it. But have only gotten part way done. My plan is to fit some wood cheeks into the web. Cross bolt and glue them in. Glue on a 1/2" spacer and mount a new pad.