Hey fellas, I finally made the jump to big bores. I traded a guy for a 458 win mag on a mauser action. I guess this weekend I will be seeing what a 510 gr softpoint kicks like. I have fired them with 350 gr bullets but frankly, I think the 510's are gonna sting for a minute.

Hey Carnivore,
Where are you going shooting? Maybe I can join you if the wife will give me a kitchen pass. Looks like the rifle range at Shoal River is closed. VFR

There is a certain of recoil on the 458 but nothing you can't handle unless the rifle is too light. If the rifle is at least 9#, it will be a good shove. The recoil speed is slow compared to a lot others. Just remember to pull the butt firmly into your shoulder pocket when shooting.

Take the first few shots from a standing position. You'll be surprised how painless shooting a .458 can be.

When shooting from the bench, though, you'll want to add some padding between your shoulder and the butt of the gun.

Once the gun is sighted in, get away from the bench and shoot standing again.

George

You will be fine and want something with more power

I never have noticed a big difference in recoil on the 458 WM between 405gr Rem FP at 2300 fps and 510gr Win SP at 2050 fps. In my post64 M70 Supergrade they both kicked like hell! That rifle weighed 8 pounds, had a tight pistol grip, and was too short in the LOP for me. You could NOT grip the pistol grip too tight on that muther! The Vz24 Mauser I built was far less punishing to fire since it fit much better and weighed 9 pounds. The recoil will be a generous step up from a 375 H&H or 338 Win mag, it will be a bit harder than a 416 Rem or 416 Rigby (at factory spec), and it will be a light shove compared to any of the 50 cals running in the 2300 - 2400 fps range.

Remember to pull the rifle into your shoulder tightly (very tightly) and hold on. If you start from a standing position is it much less harsh, as well. Of course, if you begin prone, standing will be nothing at all!

Have fun with you new rifle. By the way, the 405gr Rem FP at 2300 fps makes the 458 Win mag a most excellent whitetail deer gun.

Scott

GeorgeS's answer says it all! I agree, the 458 is a big "disappointment" when it comes to recoil. But, at the bench, I also use a sissy-bag. It's a lot of fun to be thrown back by the recoil, but totally harmless (unless you get the scope in your forehead ).

Welcome to the happy 458 community!

VFR, I am trying to get up to Shoal River if it is open this weekend. The rifle that I traded for was someone elses unfinished project. It looked rough and fed rough but has all the right parts. Kinda like finding that big block Chevy II behind the barn kind of thing. It has potential.
I have spent the last three days draw filing, sanding, stoning etc. I wish I would have taken before pictures because it sure does shine now. I got it feeding remarkably well but the last round is sticky, I guess the follower needs to be different some how. There are no open sights yet, but I do have rings and bases. I will probably fire it shotgun style at a ten yard target just to get the feel of the rifle.
To everyone, thanks for the encouragement and the advice.
Alan

Hi Carinvore,
You'll have good fun with your 458. Get yourself some five gallon pails full of water and go have some real good fun.
Enjoy,
Dave

Well, today I fired off a box of 510 gr softpoints. The recoil wasn't much worse than a three inch 12 ga slug gun. The first one took my wind though. There was really no muzzle rise at all. The rifle recoiled straight back into my shoulder.I was wearing a t-shirt so I guess its not that bad. I managed to shoot a five shot group of a couple of inches at thirty yards. Not good but not bad for a rifle that doesn't have a scope or iron sights yet. Five gallon buckets of water next weekend.............

Dude, that's koool! Now that you find all your parts are still there, it wasn't that bad, was it? How much does it weigh? I often shoot 40-50 rounds off the bench with no problem. Now if you want something with fast recoil, the 375 Rum and 378 Wthrby. qualifies.

475 Guy, the 458 weighs in at an even 7 lbs. The darn thing weighs less than my 280 AI!! The bbl is very light and the stock is a composite with aluminum bedding block. Remember there are no sights, swivels or accessories mounted yet. I would like to have a NECG front and rear sight installed along with a bbl band swivel, quick release rings and a low power scope. I am working on getting some more trigger time in tomorrow also.

Hi, my name is Alan and I am now an addict...........

Carnivore, Where did you end up shooting? I joined the club at Hurlburt Field yesterday but didn't get to shoot as I had too many honey-do's waiting for me . I have acquired a Win M70 in 458 since the last time we shot. Should do a comparo. No scope on mine either. VFR

Seven pounds! Oh, that should be very pleasant to shoot full house 500gr loads from, just like a 22 Hornet.

Scott

Carnivore,

I hope the gun works out well for you. 7lbs. may be light for a .458, but when hunting in Africa, you carry the rifle a hell of a lot more than you shoot it.

George

Dude, you are asking for trouble with such a light gun. I'm getting a migraine thinking about anything under 9# for the 458 WinMag. Yes, it will be a joy to carry around but over time, you will definitely develop a monster flinch as it won't be fun anymore. Since you're only in the beginning stages of BIGBOREITIS, I suggest you find some tungsten rods and insert them in the butt and forearm to keep from killin yourself with recoil.

The recoil was quite tolerable actually. I was expecting much worse because the gun is so light, and they were 510's. It is too light in the front though, at .760 muzzle and 22 inches long, it could swing better. I am probably going to fill an aluminum arrow shaft or two with buckshot and epoxy them into the bbl channel. I have a Remington 1100 and I swear to you I hate to shoot it, it is without a doubt the most painful long arm I have ever fired.
Bob, what are the reqirements to join over at Hurlburt? I am over in Bluewater now so we should get together and shoot again. As for my shooting, I shot on a short test range of a friends gunshop out in the sticks. PM me if you like, my e-mails are on the fritz again.