Took the CZ 550 .458 Lott to the range this weekend to find out how much punishment sighting it in will require. Took it to 25 yards first to see where the bullets were hitting and was pleasantly surprised by the fact that all three of my first shots were touching. It proved as accurate at 50 yards despite the smallish targets I was using and the consequent trouble I had seeing them. Now on to the recoil issue.

Yes, it basically kicks like a mule. Despite the sissy pad and sweat shirt I was wearing, it punishes. But, it wasn't so bad, but I did fatigue a bit faster that I have in the past with my .416 while on the bench. So, ten rounds later and I quit while my accuracy was deteriorating and before I developed a flinch. So, all is good, shoulder is a bit sore, and I will try it out on hogs next weekend -- hopefully.

Whitworth

Oh, and next week I will have it bedded and cross bolted -- I have already made the arrangements.

Outstanding!!!

I am dying to here the hog story's !!

will you be trying the woodleigh 500 gr softs on pigs ??

Dude, you just got over the first step. All it takes is mind over matter. "I don't mind the recoil and it don't matter if it hurts." All you have to do is convince yourself that you love to get the snot beat out of you everytime you light one off. After a while, your nerve endings will toughen up a bit or die off.

Welcome to the >.40 cal. club
It does not get any better then this.
I lookforward to the Boar story too.

Cheers,

Andr�

PC -- I will be using 500 grn Hawk Deadsofts at about 2300 fps. Have used the 400 grn versions in my .416 Rem on hogs and it is devastating -- really. Entering the ribcage of a hog shot about 4-weeks ago, it punched a hole the size of a half-dollar, shredded the heart, lungs and liver, and punched a fist-sized hole through the ribs on the way out. Would have loved to recover that bullet as I believe it opened up to a fairly large size. So, I'm going to try the .45 caliber 500 grn Hawks next.

.475GUY -- I'm good with the recoil. Not too much worse than my .416 at a bit over 8-lbs, but noticeably heavier and it wore me out more quickly than the .416 ever does. No doubt I'm hooked!

Andre -- I am tentatively scheduled to go on a hunt this weekend. One way or another I will kill a hog this coming weekend with the Lott. Big Bores for Big Boars, ideed. Will keep all of you posted as to my (hopeful) success.

Excellent work!

You're a lot more adventuresome than I starting with the 500 grainers. My experience with the accuracy was about the same, however a little less tight as I shot standing without a rest.

Can't wait for the pig stories.

Reminds me of the time I took a tramp in the woods...
My stomach was on the bum all day!

Minkman -- I just wanted to hit myself with the worst it has to offer and get it over with. Glad I did! I'm very pleased with the accuracy.

Will keep you posted with respect to the hogs.

If you would like to soften up the punch of your Lott try putting on a Pachmayer F990 recoil pad. You will find it makes a huge difference.
Take good care,
Dave

They sound like a good hog bullet simlar to our Taipans which are great on smaller stuff in .416.

What was the noise level like? Right now I'm waiting for the backround check period to end before I pick up my Lott. How did it compare to the noise of a .308? Just wanted to be as ready as I can for that first shot. Thanks.

Beleive me it will not be the difference in muzzle blast, between your 308 and your Lott that you will notice

Hog Killer

You are correct, Hogkiller, although there is a marked noise difference as well -- at least the pitch is different. But with a lot of guys shooting with muzzle breaks on their rifles at the range you won't necessarily be the loudest.

I did kill a hog with it this weekend. 150-pounder (the biggest that I came in contact with this weeknd) at about 30 yards. Behind the shoulder while quartering away. DEVASTATING. Drop in its tracks and twitched. The Hawk Deadsoft punched a two-square-inch hole in the rib cage on the way in, removed the top of the heatr, took out both lungs and broke the shoulder on the way out. Very good.

Not too much meat damage!

Congrats on the Hog!

I put ten Hornady FMJ through mine on Saturday. The part that surprised me was I didn't notice the recoil and my shooting was better. 12 oz cans at fifty yards, they were full of Mountain Dew before they were hit. After they were sheet metal!

My Son loved it, the Wife didn't like the noise so we went back to the .22 LR's.

Next day, no stiff shoulder. Maybe the brain figures out the easiest way to shoot with the least pain, I know I'm not getting any smarter as I'm working with a Commadore 64 and others have Pentium 4's.