Folks,

Wasn�t sure to where to post this, Reloading or here. Hope I guessed right�

Any of you have any pet solid and soft 458 Lott loads that shoot to the same point of impact?

What about 375 H&H?

Currently my 375 likes 300 gn. Swifts. Don�t have a REAL load for the 458.

Would like to work up some buffalo loads for both and I'd like some places to start.

Thanks

-Steve

I like to use the woodleigh 500 gr softs in my lott and I am using the Horandy 300 gr RN's in my .375. I will move to woodleigh softs once they run out however, there good for grassy's but quite soft (Hornady RN that is).

PC,

Thanks for the suggestion.



Anyone else have any pet solid/soft combinations?

-Steve

Steve,
This year my Sako .375 shot the 300gr. Swifts pretty well. I was able to get a 300gr. Barnes solid to shoot within an inch or so of the Swifts without much problem.
On my first trip for buffalo a couple years ago using a different Sako .375, I got the "new style" Hornady solids to shoot overlapping groups with the Nosler 300 Partitions.
I believe I used pretty close to the same powder charge for both solids and softs but I don't have my loading data with me right now. As I recall I had to use a different powder for each rifle to get the best results. If I had to guess I believe I used RL-15 for the Swifts/Barnes and IMR4064 with the Nosler/Hornady combination.

Sorry, I've never played with the Lott.

Kyler

Steve:

My .375 H&H will shoot the 300-grain Swift A-Frame and the 300-grain new style Hornady solid to the same point of impact with the same charge of Reloader 15 at a muzzle velocity of 2,500 fps. I use Winchester cases and Federal 215 primers. I will have to look up the load when I get home.

For the .458 Lott, I use Hornady and HDS (Bell) .458 Lott brass, or HDS (Bell) .458 cylindrical brass, which is 2.870 inches long. I trim the basic cases to 2.840 inches and leave the Lott cases at 2.800 inches. From what I have been told, the standard Lott reamer from Clymer is actually ground for the 2.850 case (I don't know this for a fact), so check your chamber, it may actually be for the longer case.

Now, for my serious loads, I load the 500 grain Speer AGS solids in the Lott brass, and either Hornady or Speer 500 grain softs in the basic brass, which I engrave with an electric engraver with the caliber. The reason for the different brass is that the solid is just enough shorter than the softs that I end up with vertually identical powder capacity and overall case length. I don't know how much it helps, but it doesn't hurt, as from a bench rest my rifle will put three of each load into a composite six shot group of under 1 inch at 100 yards (consistently). For my practice loads, I load everything in the Lott brass, as it is cheaper than the basic, and since I also shoot a .375 H&H I don't want to accidentally grab the wrong box. My rifle has a 24 inch barrel. The following are the loads I use in my gun, all are mild for my rifle. As with everything else, start 10%lighter, and work up:

All loads use a Federal 215 primer.

500 grain Speer or Hornady, Soft or Solid - 83.0 grains of IMR4320 for 2200 fps. In my rifle, I can go to 85.0 grains for 2310 fps, but 2200 is what Robertson suggests in "The Perfect Shot". With this load I have consistently made one shot kills on plains game out to a measured 243 yards (the longest shot taken so far with this rifle). I sight dead on a 100 yards, drop is 12" at 200 and 36" at 300 yards.

Hope this helps.

Dave

I think Kyler and I shared notes on our 375 H&H loads way back when.

My Sako M75 375H&H shoots the 300 grain Swift A-Frames and 300 grain Barnes solids to the same point of impact. For the Swifts I believe I used 70 grains of Reloader 15 (I don't have my loading notes, just going off of memory) and I remember the 300 grain Barnes solids required exactly 1 more grain to shoot to the same point, so 71 grains of Reloader 15. Velocity was equal for both bullets at 2,525 fps.

Shot my buffalo 1st with the 300 grain Swift A-Frame and the bullet did not exit on the broadside shot. Made the buffalo very sick, very quickly though. Took three fast follow up shots with the Barnes solids. The first solid went all the way through on a broadside shot thru the lungs (1 inch away from the Swift A-Frame shot), the next two solids were placed in the shoulder and penetrated both shoulders. Complete penetration on all shots with the solids.

The results are shown in the picture below.

I'm going back to hunt buffalo again in the same area. This time I am taking a 416 Rigby loaded with 400 grain Barnes X and 400 grain Hornady solids (old style) at a velocity of 2,450 fps. Hopefully I can find another buffalo unlucky enough to get in the way of my bullet.

Tim

Your gun is the only one that is going to answer that question accurately for you and all guns are different, most have a mind of their own...

My 375 H&H, and old English rifle will shoot a 285 gr. Northfork with 74 grs. of RL-15 to the same POI as it will shoot 270 gr. GS Custom FN solid loaded with 70 grs. of IMR 4064. 2 inches high at 100 for both...

It will also shoot, with the same zero, a 350 gr. RN or PP soft, or solid Woodleigh loaded with 66 grs. of RL-16 to center at 100 yards... A 300 gr. Nosler to 1/2" high with IMR-4064...all in line.

Only failure for zero are the very light HV GS Customs, Groove bullets, and Impala bullets, at their very high velocity, they are super accurate in this gun but shoot some 18 inches high...and thats to be expected...

I have found that the secret is to use the same velocity and keep the bullet weights pretty close and if you have a good gun it will take care of the difference, if it won't then dump the gun and get one that will....That is what I have done with most of my guns, but I use them more than most and may be a little more particular than the ocassional hunter...

Shumba: I've had great luck with my 416 Rigby using 400gr A Frames and old style 410gr Hornady solids using IMR 4350, Norma brass and Fed 215 primers. Oh yeah 90.2grs of powder. Velocity right at 2375 out of a 24" barrel. jorge

Jorge,

I tried to post some loads for my 300 H&H last week before I went out of town. For some reason, it doesn't look like they were posted.

Anyway, I am at work and don't have my load data, from memory I believe I was using about 69 grains of H4831sc with a 220 grain Nosler Partition for 2,700 fps (chronographed). I think I used 69 grains of Reloader 19 with a 180 grain Barnes TSX for a velocity of 3,050 fps. The 180 grain Barnes shot exactly 2" higher than the 220 grain Partition. No deviation from left to right.

For the 300 H&H, I figure I will take 40 rounds of 220 grain Partitions and 20 rounds of the 180 grain TSX. Given that I will be hunting Chewore North, most shots should be within 100 yards. I plan on sighting the 220 grain bullets to be dead on at 100 yards. That will put the 180 TSX's 2" high at 100 yards. If I have a really long shot (sable, kudu, baboon, etc.)and some time to switch bullets, I will pop in a 180 grain TSX. Worst case, whichever bullet I have in the chamber should do the trick.

Actually, I may not shoot the 300 H&H at all since my plan is to carry my 416 Rigby until I put a buffalo on the ground. I guess if I don't get a buffalo , I will be carrying the 416 Rigby the entire time.

Tim

Thanks for the info on the 300 H&H. I'll have to try your RL-19 load with the 180s but I think I'll use A Frames. I tried TSXs in my 300 Win and they really fouled the bore. Good accuracy though. J

Kyler,

I have some Barnes solids in 375. I'll give them a 'shot'.

-Steve

Dave,

That was a very informative and interesting post. I've heard some bad things about the Hornady softs. Not holding together, sheading jackets, etc... I use them for my 'practice' loads. Have you tried them on thick skinned game?

I get about 2150 with 80 gns of 4320 with mine. So getting it to 2200 shouldn't be much of a problem.

I'll try and get some Speer Grand Slam's.

Thanks!!

-Steve

Ray,

Thanks for the tips and pointers. I'm really looking for some starting points.

In going through this, I hope I don't have to rid myself of any of my guns. Of course I'd bet I'd get many offers to make some great deals from some of the esteemed members of these forums. Purely altruistic efforts to take the troublesome pieces off my hands, I'm sure...

-Steve

In the 458 Lott, I like 84 grains of IMR4320 with either Woodleigh solids or softs. They shoot within an inch of eachother so I have not diddled around adjusting the powder to get them exact. The rifle has a heavy duplex reticle scope, and the crosshair covers 3 inches at 100 yards, so I cannot be too precise. I have used up to 88 grains of IMR4320 with no ill effects, but the lower load is probably safer.

My favorite load for my .458 Lott uses Hornady brass, Federal 215 mag primers, 450 gr. Barnes X and super solids which shoot to the same point of aim in my rifle. I use 81.0 grs of H-4895 and receive a very consistent burn at a velocity of 2,350 fps. The two buffalo I shot in TZN last year never knew what hit them. The skinners recovered both Barnes X bullets, one weighed 449 gr. and the other weighed 450 gr. which figures pretty close to 99% weight retention. This load works very well in my rifle...and as to why I chose the 450 gr. bullet over a 500 gr. I'm really not sure. I used the same bullet in the gun when it was a .458 WM and it shot well. So, after I had it converted to the Lott, I stayed with the same 450 grainer. It works well for me, doing exactly what I want it to do. So, I guess that what really counts. Some guys will say that it is no more than a heavy loaded .416 and they are entitled to their opinion. I've had no complaints.