Well guys, I'm warmed up and ready to go with the Lott, leaving pretty soon! I will post the data I have accumulated so far with the help of several of you, mostly from Nick.

I was given the suggestion that RL-7 powder might be one of the best choices for the Lott's capacity. So what the heck, what's another pound of powder to buy and work with?

Because of this barrels magnificent bore surface I also decided to put more effort into the X bullets with this gun. I found that cleaning this barrel was so easy due to the lack of any fouling, that maybe I would have a rifle that could use the X bullets good enough to depend on.

I started out with loads already used by Nick and Paul who were loading this powder in the Lott. But I was cautious with my starting point. The Asquare manual also has loads listed for this powder with their 465 grain bullets. Using the data I had already accumulated and doing the math I decided that a 70 grain load would be a good safe starting point. I also chose the 450 grain X bullet as it would take up less case capacity and be every bit as good as a 500 grain bullet of conventional construction if not better. The .488BC and the over 300SD are good numbers for a bullet made the way the X is, like an "expanding solid".

My first round of shooting with the ammo loaded in 2 grain increments in three shot strings was as follows:
70 grains RL-7 450 grain X bullet: 2235 AVG
72 grains RL-7 450 grain X bullet: 2296 AVG
74 Grains RL-7 450 grain X bullet: 2350 AVG
76 grains RL-7 450 grain X bullet: 2380 Avg

The 76 grain load had significent recoil, and large velocity spread, the 72 grain load had a 4FPS variation and the 74 grian load had a 10fps variation. These shots were measured approx 12 feet away from the muzzle and at 40 degrees F.

The 72 grain load has much less recoil then any equal powered load using other powders. It's also 10 grains less powder then the other conventional powders I was trying. The H4895, 4320,and RL-15 loads had much more recoil and pressure to get this velocity, and were also getting pretty tightly compressed.

None of the cases were tight, no primers were flat, extraction was effortless, the bolt just falls open, and re-sizing was also quite easy when I was reloading them.

A couple very important points with X bullets for the Lott. The loaded Lott OAL is 3.6" and that is critical in most actions. Longer then 3.6" and you will have them fit tight in the magazine which could cause feeding issues.

The cannalure of the X bullet is a bit to far back on the bullet for the Lott dimensions. The Lott brass I have is 2.8" and using the cannelure on the bullet puts the OAL just over 3.6". I trimmed the brass to 2.76 and the bullets seat to the top of the powder charge as if made to do so. This puts the OAL at 3.590 with the brass crimped into the cannelure. They fit the magazine flawlessly and feed 100% perfect every time. The bullet shape of the X bullet along with the non-deforming nose while in the magazine are both great features of this load as well. My rifle uses a Model 70 CRF action and a 22" pacnor barrel.

I wish the cannelure was just a bit further forward but with a case trimmer you can make this work just perfect. As far as accuracy is concerned, well nothing to worry about there. They will shoot 1" at 100 yards from the bench and freehand it's easy to hit whatever you want from point blank to 100 plus yards. I have shot over 300 rounds through it in the last three weeks. With the Swift Aframes, the Hornady 500 grain round nose, and the X bullets there has not been a single feed or eject problem.

If you have a 458 Lott give the RL-7 a serious look. I know it goes against the grain of what several folks preach but Nick pointed me in the right direction on this and I'm glad he spoke up and shared the info,
Thanks Bud!

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It seems there is never enough time to do things right, but always enough time to do them over

JJ:

So why are you not using RL-7 with 500 gr. bullets?

Will

Will,

I did not have any 500gr X bullets to try out yet, probably my next experiment. The 450's really get great velocity, maybe the 500's will get into the 2300fps range as well. The best I could get with the Hornadies was mid to upper 2200's But I did not use RL-7 with them yet. Yet another experiment to fool with!

I have no loading data to go on with the 500's and RL-7. Everyone I know using RL-7 was using 450's or the Asquare 465's. The A square book shows 73 grains getting 2223 with the 465's. They must have had a slow barrel because everyone I have Emailed with using this is getting better then that. Even my loads at 40 deg F were better then that.

It may be that any additional bearing surface drives the pressure up to high? The X is long and with a high frictional surface. Another poster here has used much more RL-7 powder then I am with the 450 grain bullets but his are moly coated and his pressure is not to high. The trick might be moly coating the 500's?
So many loads so little time!

JJ:

Like I mentioned before I'm getting about 2250 fps with IMR4320 in the 22" barrel with 500 gr. Hornady solids. Until I hear better with RL-7, or whatever, I'm sticking with it (very compressed loads though).

But if you do as well or better with RL-7, please share it with us.

Will/Bill Stewart

[This message has been edited by Will (edited 04-22-2002).]

JJHack,

Who made the barrel, and what treatment(s) has it received to make it magnifico?

Did John rub it with the magic raven feather?

jim dodd

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"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

I don't know anything about building guns, I just shoot them.

Best eamil or call John Ricks. As I said my barrel is a Pacnor and I believe it's the highest grade they offer, John had mentioned something about that to me, I just can't recall the rating it was given or the level of qualtiy if there is such a thing? Wish I could give you the answer. John Will know the details.

I can tell it's nicely made because the X bullets shoot very clean in it. Sure the rifling gets a bit copper colored but nothing that has had any effect on accuracy. It's also easy to clean out(so far).

I hope it hangs in there because it sure shoots the X bullets well and they are a devistating bullet in this size.

I have had my concerns with the X bullets over the years. looking back it has been mostly with very high velocity smaller diameter bullets, .308 and under. I have not seen any problems I can recall on bigger bore slower speed bullets. I have also never had a rifle that would shoot them clean enough to use them. I have always had bad copper fouling. This Pacnor barrel has been a very pleasant surprise for using the X bullets. I also like that it will shoot the swift 450's and the Barnes X 450's to the exact same POI.

[This message has been edited by JJHACK (edited 04-23-2002).]

JJ glad to hear your rifle is doing fine and your are top shelf with your loads. I have been thinking about that .458 Lott a whole bunch lately......must fire one first to get the full effects of wheather my body can take the recoil, same goes for the .416 mag. I do want a big bore rifle but have NO previous experience involving the subject matter.

Enjoyed reading your loading report as I am sure others did also. It will be good information for all those with a calbier like yours. I would like to know what it costs to have a gun set up like yours, only so I can put a scope on it too. You think you can share that information or should I just call John Ricks?

JJ,

That is a great looking no nonsense PH rifle. Glad to hear of your success with the various loads. Good luck this season.

Perry

Jim, the barrel is a Pac Nor Chrome Moly, Super Match. 14 inch twist. Matte caustic blued. More info about the rifle on my site below.

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Currently in Exile on the Beautiful Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.

Email Address is rifles@earthlink.net

Web site http://home.earthlink.net/~rifles/