I put this here rather than the reloading section because I figure the most knowledgable big bore reloaders are here.

Can it be loaded with standard .458 Win mag dies?

The short answer is No.
Reason, the 458x2" is too short to be crimped in the 458 Win. Mag. crimp die.
I played with making a 458x2" and did made some brass by cutting off 7m/m Rem. Mag. brass.
But I gave up on the idea when it dawned on me that I could download the a standard 458 Win. Mag. to the 458x2" speeds.
The 458x2" makes good sence only in actions that are too short for the full length 458 Win. Mag., in my opinion.
Sincerely,

A friend found one that he likes in a pawn shop. Allegedly it is built on a Mauser action.

I'll find out if he got it. I was thinking if it is a Mauser he could always lengthen it to the Win mag easily.

It is very close to the 450 Marlin and you can generally use starting loads for the 450 marlin for it. I have had two of them. Good little guns that are very similar to 45/70 in performance. I had a difficult time using cut down 300 win mag brass as you needed to ream the necks in order to get proper neck tension. It is much easier to cut down 458 win mag.

My rifle was built on a vz-24 action and I have never noticed any problems with the cartridges moving around. It also allows for bullets to be seated long or for loading heavier loads.
My dies were made from .458 wm dies which my gunsmith cut down.
Frank

quote:

Originally posted by WyoJoe:
A friend found one that he likes in a pawn shop. Allegedly it is built on a Mauser action.

I'll find out if he got it. I was thinking if it is a Mauser he could always lengthen it to the Win mag easily.

I thought the 458 WinMag, like all the original Winchester Magnum cartidges, fits in a standard Mauser action with no problem (other than opening up the bolt face). Is that the question?

I use 450 Marlin dies (Hornady). Works very well. You will have to adjust for the difference of the headspace dimension which is easily done. I love my 458x2".

45O marlin dies can be adjusted to work fine. Marlin is loaded to lower peak pressure

I own a .458X2" AMERICAN rifle built on an old Remington Model 722 action. Very accurate rifle especially with 300 grainers & IMR-4198 powder. I form my cases by using a RCBS forming & Trim dies. The inside necks must be reamed which RCBS has. I use .458 Win. Mag cases, .300 Win. Mag. and 7mm Rem. Mag. Cases also.

Well he got the rifle & fortunately it came with dies. All we need to do now is find him some decent loads. Wondering how IMR 3031 does in this round. I have heard it does good in the .458 Win.

Has any of you with a 458 2 inch tried heavy for caliber cast bullets at low vel like 800 to a 1000 fps.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
Has any of you with a 458 2 inch tried heavy for caliber cast bullets at low vel like 800 to a 1000 fps.

I tried that with my 458 lott. I'd have to check my load notes. As I recall I used Unique. It was like a giant 22rf.

I am interested in what you thought the report was like and what vel you had and how well the bullet stabalized.

quote:

Originally posted by WyoJoe:
Well Wondering how IMR 3031 does in this round. I have heard it does good in the .458 Win.

WyoJoe, IMR-3031 works fine in the .458X2" American cartridge. I've used it when reloading with Speer's 400 grainers, but warning it will "Kick" especially if your rifle doesn't have a recoil pad like mine (no recoil pad!) I've found that 42.0 grs/IMR-4198/300 gr. is a more manageable load and is accurate & a good Deer load.

FWIW, I went through inside neck reaming and it was not working for me. Set out to reverse engineer and discovered 7mm Rem mag Federal brass was thinner than other brands and fit my chamber perfectly. Be advised, PTG reamer and cerrosafe cast to confirm neck diameter. My rifle has shot the the best with Rel 7 and Barnes 300 TSX. These groups were shot while I was dialing in zero. 100 yards.

quote:

Originally posted by RandyB:
FWIW, I went through inside neck reaming and it was not working for me. Set out to reverse engineer and discovered 7mm Rem mag Federal brass was thinner than other brands and fit my chamber perfectly. Be advised, PTG reamer and cerrosafe cast to confirm neck diameter. My rifle has shot the the best with Rel 7 and Barnes 300 TSX. These groups were shot while I was dialing in zero. 100 yards.

I've also found that Federal 7 mm Mag. brass thinner. I have used Remington's 7 mm Mag. Brass & also used some .375 H&H Brass BUT since the case is slightly tapered and I had to "fire Form" to strighten out the case with a light load. I use mostly .458 Win Mag., & .300 Win. Mag. cases when forming my .458 X 2" Cases. BTW Nice groups!!