The Accurate Reloading Forums
Does the .458WM actually work on buffalo?
Does the .458WM actually work on buffalo?
Well, yep. It sure does.

I used Woodleigh 500 grain FMJs given their wind by 70 grains of AR2206H for a blazing-fast 2063fps. I don't want to talk about my first shot out of embarrassment, but my second one just moments later dropped him, and shots three and four were probably unnecessary. It was a very exciting stalk.
I had quite a drama when I bought this second-hand Rifleman's Rifle (Winchester Model 70) sight-unseen - it was basically falling-apart. Happily my good friend and gunsmith restored and improved it. It now works a treat and now all of my rifles have accounted for at least one buffalo each.
You might just be able to make-out that there's a missing chunk of right horn, with a bit of a groove to it. Methinks somebody tried for a small-calibre head-shot at some stage in his life.
And thus was slain a majestic, feral fence-wrecker.
10 June 2012, 17:42
surestrikeNice looking bull and great old M-70.
Nothing wrong with the good ole 458 Win Mag.
10 June 2012, 20:50
JCS271Great job on the buff and the rifle. My hunting partner used to say "anyone that thinks this 458 is a "wuss" gun, should try catching one of the bullets with their teeth!

"The difference between adventure and disaster is preparation."
"The problem with quoting info from the internet is that you can never be sure it is accurate" Abraham Lincoln
10 June 2012, 21:29
Todd WilliamsI think the problems with the 458WM are mostly confined to early ammo that tended to cake under compression. Modern powders have made it what it was intended to be.
Nice Buff!
11 June 2012, 23:18
MikelravyAnd those old Winchester soft points were about as hard as moldy cheddar...
11 June 2012, 23:42
458WinIt works pretty well on a lot of other big things too
Anyone who claims the 30-06 is ineffective has either not tried one, or is unwittingly commenting on their own marksmanship
Phil Shoemaker
Alaska Master guide
FAA Master pilot
NRA Benefactor
www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com 12 June 2012, 01:27
buffalo.....hey Phil... stop posting that kind of photos - makes me even more impatient waiting for our bearhunt fall 2013...

.... Might use my 458 Acc Rel instead of the 375 Ruger... After all I know you like the 458 caliber for these big brown things...

12 June 2012, 02:22
458WinI do when I have to wrinkle them out of the pucker brush like I had to with this guy. But it is hard to beat the 375 - Ruger or H&H
Anyone who claims the 30-06 is ineffective has either not tried one, or is unwittingly commenting on their own marksmanship
Phil Shoemaker
Alaska Master guide
FAA Master pilot
NRA Benefactor
www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com Geeeez, a Bear that big deserves his own Zip Code! :-)
13 June 2012, 07:02
AlanFaulknerCome on, read the forum. Every one knows that a .458 diamter bullet, 500 gr. wgt., at 2063fps, when fired from a 458 Win. Mag. is not adequate...you need a .458 diameter bullet, 480 gr. wgt., at 2050fps fired from a good double in 450 NE caliber, to be effective.

sorry....just couldn't resist!
the 458win preforms some what better when fed woodleighs 480gr pills, you gain a little extra speed, and can actually crack the 2100fps barrier, something the 500gr pills struggle to do. Sure you could get that speed with the 500gr pills, but at what pressures would it be running at. Don't get me wrong its a fine old work horse, but in my mind the 458 lott is a sure bet at achieving 2200 fps with less fuss. once those big pills drop below the 2000fps mark, they tend to loose their whack quickly, but they will still kill buffalo ok. just my thoughts i have made whilst out in the field.
15 June 2012, 02:09
458WinAnd the 460 Wby beats the 458 Lott too.

Anyone who claims the 30-06 is ineffective has either not tried one, or is unwittingly commenting on their own marksmanship
Phil Shoemaker
Alaska Master guide
FAA Master pilot
NRA Benefactor
www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com 17 June 2012, 06:54
mad_jack02Doesn't the 450 Ackley Mag out do the 460 wby?
Extreme Custom Gunsmithing LLC, ecg@wheatstate.com
17 June 2012, 11:49
buffaloquote:
Originally posted by mad_jack02:
Doesn't the 450 Ackley Mag out do the 460 wby?
NO - its the same as 458 Lott - performancewise... (ie - more than enough for anything... - same is 458 Win by the way....)
17 June 2012, 23:52
DoglegI took a .458 Win to OZ last year stuffed full of 450 gr. A-Frames at a chronographed 2205 fps with 74 grains of H4895.(H4895 is the same as your AR2206 I believe)
10 buffalo with that combo later (6 with another)I had to conclude that the .458 kills buffalo just fine. I've got a new load with the same bullets driven to 2350 fps with A2230, partly for morbid curiousity and partly because I didn't have enough pain in my life. Solved the second problem nicely, but whetherit kills better or not remains to be seen.
Cool, Dogleg! Sounds like you had fun! Where did you go, if you don't mind my asking? Conways?
458win,
the 460wby beats the lott with starting loads and no pressure issues, thats why i own one............

18 June 2012, 09:21
Doglegquote:
Originally posted by BenKK:
Cool, Dogleg! Sounds like you had fun! Where did you go, if you don't mind my asking? Conways?
I was in the NT near Gove. I booked with Hunt Australia.
Judgeing by the caliber and friendliness of the people we met, it would be difficult to visit Australia and not have fun.
My wife and I are returning to the NT in August, this time to thin out the donkeys and pigs. The closest town will be Pine Creek.
What does a tourist with a few extra days do around Darwin?
G'day Dogleg,
You'll have more fun, I'm sure!
In Darwin, the Aviation Heritage Museum is worth a good look; and the Darwin Museum; perhaps a visit to Crocadylus Park also; the Territory Wildlife Park is just down the road.
There's plenty to see and do, and most of the accomodation places will have brochures and be able to offer suggestions or arrange bookings for day trips.
Cheers,
Ben
18 June 2012, 13:03
ozhunterquote:
Originally posted by Dogleg:
[
What does a tourist with a few extra days do around Darwin?
Like fishing?
18 June 2012, 21:20
Doglegquote:
Originally posted by ozhunter:
quote:
Originally posted by Dogleg:
[
What does a tourist with a few extra days do around Darwin?
Like fishing?
Yes.

25 June 2012, 20:05
luvtoreloadThe new Hornady DGS 458 ammo, should do the job.The 500 grain load is listed at 2140 fps with 5084 ft. lbs of muzzle energy!

25 June 2012, 22:29
465H&HNaw, they just bounce off!

465H&H
quote:
Originally posted by Dogleg:
What does a tourist with a few extra days do around Darwin?
Plenty to do around Darwin as has been said.
Bus Tours are available to see various parts of the NT or the animals like jumping crocs.
You could possibly get a trip out to Kakadu National Park, depending on how many days you have spare.
Previously 500N with many thousands of posts !