I'm using IMR-4064 in my Ruger .458 Lott to load for my water buffalo loads for Australia in a couple months, and am getting great accuracy. The velocity for the 500 gr. loads is around 2130 fps. Is this fast enough, or do I keep increasing the powder until I get above 2200 fps - is this necessary for the buffalo ?

Only if you want to. To me, the lott is best under 2300 fps from a recoil standpoint. With a good bullet, 2100 is plenty.

With my load producing slightly over 2100 fps, the recoil is easily managed .... that's why I'm hoping this velocity is OK.

;;;;;Since 1898 I think it was that has been the bench mark load ......It has worked all over the world on every size game....That is one of the great things about the Lott.. you can get consistent win mag velocities with low pressure....If you can and do shoot it well that would be the biggest thing,, IMO

I have a .458 Lott load that I am planning to take for elephant. A 480 grain Woodleigh solid in front of 75 grains of IMR4064 with a WLMR primer for right at 2150 fps. This is a load that has been getting it done for decades and sometimes it is good to just leave well enough alone.

MJines,

I am sure your load will work on elephants, since, as you point out, it is the equivelent of the nominal performance of the 450NE. So if your load does 2150fps, it is likely outperforming many of the 450NE's used in the field since Brit nominal performance wasn't often matched in the field. Also, my experience on elephants with 500gr Woodleighs at 2135fps is excellent so I know your load will work great.

That said, why did you select the 480gr Woodleigh over the 500gr Woodleigh?

I tried the 480gr Woodleighs in my 458wm and noticed no recoil difference and velocity was all but equal. With the placement of the cannelure on the 480gr Woodleighs it makes for tighter powder room and a shorter round... Just wonderin'

JPK

With the Lott there is virtually no powder compaction. I think the 480's feed a little better, maybe just being shorter. And most importantly, Midway had the 500 grain version on backorder!