Hello All,

While searching the internet for more information about a Custom Mauser I bought earlier in the year ..............

see link >> Jack Lott rifle built for Howard French << read about the Mauser here

.............. I came across this custom Browning Safari that was also one of Jack's creations.



Here was the original listing for the Browning Safari .....



... and here is one of the pieces of provenance that came with the rifle.



... also included was a newspaper account of the family of elephants that was harvested for the LA Museum of Natural History, by Maurice Machris back in 1963.



... and here is the currect display as it exists to this very day at the LA museum.



Here is a photo of the second owner, Max Hurlbut, with an 80lb elephant (weight of ea tusk) that he bagged with this rifle while hunting in the Congo. You can see the rifle in the photo.



This photo shows Max with 2 of his hunting guides. Things were a lot different back in 1973.



This next piece of provenance is the real topper! It is the original receipt from Jack Lott himself when he sold the rifle to Max in 1972. It is hand typed, with a hand written note added, both bearing not one, but two of Jack's original signatures. Even the original mailing envelope was included.



Several other documents also came with the rifle: a notorized receipt, a Factory Letter from Browning documenting the rifle's origin, an original Petersens Hunting Magazine with articles about Max and his adventures in Africa. This tells of his elephant harvest and includes the story of Max bagging 2 extremely rare, World Record, "Bongos" with a single shot from this rifle.

And last, there is even a photocopy of the test target from when Max and Jack were shooting this rifle. Although the range was only 25 yards, all 5-shots went into a single hole. It was during this outing that a hair-line crack appeared in stock's grip area, and Jack promptly repaired it with a cross-bolt through the wrist.



Recent conversations with Max Hurlbut has confirmed the details of this rifle's History.

Originally built from a Browning Safari 264WM caliber - it was rebored / re-rifled and chambered to 458Wm by Jack Lott.

Originally sold to Maurice Machris, then later re-acquired by Jack Lott and re-sold to Max Hurlbut.

Custom Muzzle Brake designed by, fabricated by, and installed by Jack Lott.

Wrist cross-bolt installed by Jack Lott.

Comments are welcome .....

My quest for Jack Lott rifles continues .....

wow!

I would contact the gunmaker Lon Paul if I was looking for a Lott rifle. I seem to remember an old article that showed several Lott guns that were in the collection of Lon Paul.

When did JL pass away?

quote:

Originally posted by LJS:
I would contact the gunmaker Lon Paul if I was looking for a Lott rifle. I seem to remember an old article that showed several Lott guns that were in the collection of Lon Paul.

Hello LJS,

Thanks for the reply. I've talked with Lon and have shown him both of these rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by jens poulsen:
When did JL pass away?

Hello jens poulsen,

Thanks for the reply.

Jack died on August 12, 1993. Sadly, he committed suicide rather than waste away from cancer. And like the true gun aficionado that he was, he used a Webley .455.

One wonders if that's the gun that inspired Jack to develop the Lott? the one he got stomped with, that would be historical..I would love to own that gun.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
One wonders if that's the gun that inspired Jack to develop the Lott? the one he got stomped with, that would be historical..I would love to own that gun.

Hello Atkinson,

Thanks for the reply.

Well, it couldn't have been this rifle. You see Jack was hunting Mozambique with Walley Johnson, Sr. in September 1959. That's when the stomping took place.

This rifle was born in 1960 as a 264 WM. It may have been purchased by Lott, or Maurice Machris, don't know, but sometime thereafter, Jack converted it to 458 WM and sold it to Maurice who used it in 1963 to harvest the elephants that are on display at the LA Natural History Museum.

Jack Lott reacquired it from Maurice sometime after 1963, and owned it until August 16, 1972, when it was sold to Max Hurlbut.

Given that time table, its NOT this rifle.

However, the other rifle I own, Jack Lott rifle built for Howard French the Mauser that was built by Jack and later sold to Howard French, may be "that" rifle. Howard mentions buying a 458 WM when the first came out in 1955, and sometime later owning the Custom Mauser from Jack. (see 1986 Hunting Annual)

If Howard French purchased if from Jack after 1959, its very possible that this is the rifle that Jack was carying when he got mushed.

Even though the rifle supposedly let-down Jack, Walley Johnson picked up the very same rifle and fired 2 shots into the Buff's brain, likely saving Jack's life.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
One wonders if that's the gun that inspired Jack to develop the Lott? the one he got stomped with, that would be historical..I would love to own that gun.

Ray, If you read Jack's own story that he wrote and edited in the 1983 G&A Big Bore Rifles edition ) he says says it was 1959 and he was using a M-70 African that he had restocked due to the original stock splitting . He also went on to say " It had been close, but the fault was not mine, not Wally's nor the 458's "

He goes on and on about the attack and the 458 - he was a gunwriter by the way - and also stated that " This, and other experiences have made the Winchester 458 rifle and cartridge an inseperble part of my life, not only for it's having saved my life in Wally Johnson's hands, but as my main heavy rifle "

He certainly seemed to have built and used quite a few 458's, including one on a Browning BAR !

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win

Ray, If you read Jack's own story that he wrote and edited in the 1983 G&A Big Bore Rifles edition ) he says says it was 1959 and he was using a M-70 African that he had restocked due to the original stock splitting.

Hello 458Win,

Thanks for that information. I'll un-cross my fingers now.

It's nice to have a rifle with history. It brings the wood and metal to life.

I have Lott's .500 nitro Watson Brothers but am not a fan of him as he basically took James Watts' .450 from the late 1940s and used it as his own 22 years later. That said, it is still nice to have a rifle owned and used by an historical figure. Shortly it will be seeking a new home as I have my .600 and others I treasure a bit more.

Cheers,
Cal

Hello cal pappas,

Thanks for your reply.

As you know, I love rifles (and handguns) with History and a story to tell. I especially enjoy answering questions from young people at various shows where I display my pieces.

When they ask; "What's that rifle?", rather than just saying; "Its a Browning Safari in 458 Win Mag caliber", I can tell them all about the rifle, the former owner, the exploits of the former owner with the rifle, and its unique History, etc., etc.

Its through those kinds of conversations, that I hope to instill an appreciation of the rifle, and its History, so they might someday take up the interest of collecting.

When I look around at the shows these days, there are not very many young people. Perhaps little, by little, we can change that.

quote:

Originally posted by jens poulsen:
When did JL pass away?

He was suffering badly from multiple physical ills when he chose to end his life in 1993.

I understand that he shot himself through the temples with a Webley Mark VI in .455.

Sad as it is, I very much respect that, in every way.

This has been a more than interesting thread..I really enjoy this type of thread, a learning experience, a recall, or just historical information on famous rifles..Thanks to all.

Phil,
I read that article, probably several times, however my 82 year old brain does not always retain that far back, in fact about yesterday is its full extent these days!

Does anyone have a copy of Jack Lotts telling of his 458 we vs Cape buffalo story/article you could share with us. Most of us younger guys have heard the secondary tell but did not get to see the original telling.

Thank you.

Hello Michael Robinson,

Hello Atkinson,

Hello LHeym500,

Thanks for your replies,

One of the pieces of provenance that came with this rifle was a copy of an American Rifleman article. It is labeled March, 2004, and was written by Max Hurlbut, the former owner of this rifle.

I spoke with Max a few days ago and he told me he was a very close friend to Jack Lott, and the 2004 AR account stemmed from casual conversations between he and Jack.

Perhaps a reading of Cal's ( Cal Pappas) research on the origins of the 458 Win mag and it's predecessor in the form of the 450 Watts magnum would put everything regarding the Lott in perspective ! The Lott came after the 458 win mag and before the 458 win mag there was the Watts magnum

Yes it should have been a full length 375 Norma case necked to 458 and not the shortened version on the form of the 458 Win mag.

I am fortunate to have a ZKK 602 in a Watts reamed for me by the late and legendary Hennie Oosthuizen of Sannieshof in the old Western Transvaal. Mr oosthuizen was legend in that he had hand in Tom Siatos's 460 G&A Magnum. Many of these were built in South Africa in the day.

Hello ALF,

Thanks for the reply.

There will always continue to be debate about wildcat cartridges, and who came first, and who copied who, and who gets final credit.

An example is the 219 Donaldson. This cartridge was "invented" by Vernon Gibson, known as the "Gibson Wasp" long before Harvey Donaldson put his name to it.

Similarly, John Buhmiller developed the 450 mag long before Roy Weatherby used his moniker calling it the 460 WM.

On a personal note, in 1978 I developed a pistol silhouette cartridge known as the "Helm 747 TJ". It was published in the Feb/Mar 1979 issue of the American Handgunner. Two years later it was copied by Ugalde, and later when he partnered with T/C to have it factory loaded, it was renamed the 7mm TCU (Thompson Center Ugalde), and that's the name the name stuck.

I'm sure there several dozen more examples out there.

Thanks for your reply Buckstix.

I have always enjoyed Jack Lotts articals.

In regards to .458Lott versus .450 Watts. Isn´t there something about if one chamber the .450Watts one can shoot .458Lott but not viceversa?..

Hello jens poulsen,

Thanks for your reply.

I memory serves me correctly, the Watts case is about .050" longer than the Lott, so a Lott cartridge will function in either chambering, but necessarily visa-versa.

buckstix, great post again, thanks!


For LHeym500:

This excerpt will serve for the review of this book.
Book Review: It is a good book.

Other comments: Scanning and saving washes out the "hunter orange" color of the title on the cover. There is no pink lettering anywhere on the original.
This excerpt will also serve to jog Ray's memory if he endeavors to persevere in reading it again.
There was no bad-mouthing of the .458 WinMag here.
After all, Jacques Lott was a "gun writer" and knew upon which side his bread was buttered.
Must be able to sell those .458 WinMags.

Aparently the association of this story ("Wally Johnson saved me with my own M70 African .458 WinMag")
with the concoction of the .458 Lott was a later conflation of stories, which included ignoring the 450 Watts history.
.458 Lott: 2.800" case length.
450 Watts: 2.850" case length.

Actually, John Buhmiller, Fred Barnes, P.O. Ackley, and James Watts all worked simultaneously on their .458 wildcats based on .375 H&H parent case.
They all talked and corresponded amongst themselves while they were doing it in the late 1940s.

Jack Lott wrote this for the 1983 first edition of this G&A pub. The whole book is all Jack Lott articles.
The 1993 version from G&A does not have this chapter in it, but it was replaced by John Kronfeld's article on the .458 WinMag.
Other authors replacing Jack in that 1993 re-vamped version were Finn Aagaard, John M. Taylor, Craig Boddington, Clair Rees, Tom Siatos, Gary Sitton, John Wooters, Joe Coogan, and John Barsness. It retained only four of Jack Lott's original articles.
Here is one of the fourteen original articles from the 1983 book.
Note that a reference to the .458 Lott was sneaked into the caption under the picture of the Ruger No. 1 on page 69:

No debate on what came first 450 Watts, 458 win mag or 458 Lott !

Time line speaks for itself.

1947: James Watts comes up with the idea of blowing out the 375 H&H to 45 cal

He writes to Winchester about his idea and they answer him and turns him down.

He writes to Winchester for a second time in 1949 and they do not even write back.

The first 450 Watts was built by Harvey Anderson in 1949 on a 45 cal barrel blank that Watts and Anderson procured from Ackley. Anderson builds a number of these rifles that find their way to Africa via American hunters.

American Rifleman runs a article on the 450 two years after launch.

Christmas 1949: James Watts visits Roy Weatherby and offers the cartridge to him and he gets turn down.

weatherby brings out his own 45 cal ( 460 Weatherby) designed in 1957 in 1959. This is 8 years after the 450 Watts.

They "Copyright" the Watts in 1950.

In 1951 Watts shortens the 450 Watts to the 450 Short Watts to fit the Model 70 Winchester, he releases this to Winchester for use and they market is as the 458 win mag in 1956. ( 7 years after the 450 Watts)

The sad part of all of this important gun history is that gun rags came out with all kinds of drivel on how the management of Olin came up with the 458 WIN without ever giving credit to
James Watts !

Lotts creation came years later ! Again without even considering that Lott actually reinvented the parent that spawned the 458 WINCHESTER gun writers failed in their research !

Hello RIP,

Thanks for the reply, and thanks for posting the article. Its a very interesting read.

Hello ALF,

Thanks for the reply, and I don't debate the time line, I accept that. My only comment was that "not getting credit" in the developement of cartridges is nothing new. Its happened dozens of times, over at least a decade, and will likely continue to happen dozens of more times in the future.

It would be nice if the other articles from that special edition could be posted.

Hello All,

UPDATE:

As part of my continuing research into the History of this rifle, I contacted Browning Arms. I just received a Factory Letter from Leonard Rees, the Browning Historian. A point worth making; I have purchased many Factory Letters over the years, from Colt, Smith & Wesson, Winchester, etc., with costs ranging from $50 - $400, and a wait time up to 9 months.

I must say I am very pleased and amazed with Browning's service for Factory Letters, and the cost thereof. Only 1 week from phone call to letter in hand via USPS Priority Mail, for only $39.95.

I sent a copy of the letter to Max for his comments. Here is his reply;

" ... Kerr Sports was located on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Owned by champion trap & skeet shooter ALEX KERR. ALL of us in the Southern California Safari Club bought at Kerrs or Pachmyer’s in the 1200 block of South Grand Avenue in downtown L.A. ... "

" ... JERRY KNIGHT (store manager) was a prince of a man and knowledgable on firearms and African safaris. ... "

" ... Things were more expensive here, but they made good on anything that proved defective. They had thousands of rifles and shotguns. ... "

" ... JACK LOTT was personal friends with JERRY. You can be sure that MAURICE MACHRIS did business here, and it’s likely that he bought the .264 from JERRY. JACK was always picking up long-action ’98 Mauser actions—the strongest—for his wildcat rifles. He bought your .264 from MAURICE (who died in 1980) sometime before 1971, about the time I acquired it. ... "

Mr. Six: Thank you for sharing the article by the previous owner and Mr. RIP thank you for the article. I have heard of that Guns and Ammo special edition, but have never been able to read any of it until you posted it.

While, Lott does not place blame on the 458 WM in the Guns and Ammo article he does indicate that he observed the compressed load failures, and Mr. Stix article states that the Winchester compressed load was at fault.

Now gentleman permit me two questions. First, a lot of reloading manuals show compressed load for a lot of powder cartridge combos seems everything works fine, so why did the 458 WM compressed load not work? Second, I would think compressed loads would raise pressure (with smokeless nitro powders) creating more velocity thus more penetration, so why did the 458 WM compressed loads result in rounds barley having enough velocity to "land 50 yards down range"?

The only thing I can reason out is that whatever powder Winchester was doing the compression with caked/gelled/or hardened with results being a blob of un-ingiteable powder.

Jim Carmcial (sp) in writing blamed the machinery Winchester loaded 458 WM ammo with. He stated the issue was not compressed loads, but that the ammo on the assembly line was not receiving a full charge of powder. I do not remember any specifics on the article.

Great rifle, and no one can damn the 458 WM now. Of course, I prefer the Lott/Watts/Ackley type 458 cartridge because I just have a thing for long as straight as you make them cartridges. A little extra horse power never hurt anyone either.

quote:

Originally posted by LHeym500:
Mr. Six: Thank you for sharing the article by the previous owner ..

You are very welcome. I love guns with stories to tell, and I love re-telling those stories.

While, Lott does not place blame on the 458 WM in the Guns and Ammo article he does indicate that he observed the compressed load failures, and Mr. Stix article states that the Winchester compressed load was at fault.

This is true. Jack Lott's comments and observation of that time were confirmed with recent conversations with Max Hurlbut.

Now gentleman permit me two questions. First, a lot of reloading manuals show compressed load for a lot of powder cartridge combos seems everything works fine, so why did the 458 WM compressed load not work?

While many reloading manual indicate a "compressed load", they actually give the powder weight of that load, and the compressed load has been tested. I suspect that the Winchester Factory loads of the period in question, were "ultra-compressed" or "over-compressed" in an attempt to obtain their desired velocity.

Second, I would think compressed loads would raise pressure (with smokeless nitro powders) creating more velocity thus more penetration, so why did the 458 WM compressed loads result in rounds barely having enough velocity to "land 50 yards down range"?

The fact that the powder is compress really doesn't affect pressure. Its the amount of powder used.

The only thing I can reason out is that whatever powder Winchester was doing the compression with caked/gelled/or hardened with results being a blob of un-ingiteable powder.

I suspect not all of the cartridges with "over-compressed" loads gave a problem, hense the problem was not initially discovered. It may well have been that time, temperature, humidity changes, etc. contributed to the erratic ignition.

Jim Carmcial (sp) in writing blamed the machinery Winchester loaded 458 WM ammo with. He stated the issue was not compressed loads, but that the ammo on the assembly line was not receiving a full charge of powder. I do not remember any specifics on the article.

Perhaps this may have been another factor, but Jack actually broke-down several cartridges in the batch where he had issues, and discovered the powder in the cases had been compressed into dense hard chunks.

Great rifle, and no one can damn the 458 WM now.

Yes, I agree. The 458 with todays loads and powder choices for the reloader, far exceeds those limitation of the late 50's.

Of course, I prefer the Lott/Watts/Ackley type 458 cartridge because I just have a thing for long as straight as you make them cartridges. A little extra horse power never hurt anyone either.

Yes, in addition to my six 458 rifles, I also have a 450 Ackley mag, and a 460 Wby in my closet. Surprisingly, I dont yet have a 458 Lott. Still looking for one.

Hello LHeym500

Thanks for your reply.

I addressed your comments above.

LHeym500,
I always heard it was a heavily compressed charge of ball powder that was the booger.
Hence, I have never used compressed loads of any kind of ball powder in any of my handloads for any cartridge.
Besides, there are no ball powders I know of with ThermoBallisticIndependence.
It is very easy to get 2150 fps with 500-grainers using several different extruded powders.
I rate the .458 Lott as only about 150 fps faster than the .458 WinMag, nowadays,
unless you load it to 3.800" C.O.L. in the box of a CZ 550 Magnum.

quote:

Originally posted by 416Tanzan:
It would be nice if the other articles from that special edition could be posted.

Sorry, that was a brief excerpt for "book review" purposes only. I cannot republish it all here.

Some things that have been rumored or verified:

Jack Lott was a CIA agent or some sort of mercenary who did some secret work in Cuba, Rhodesia, and the Congo?

Jack was some sort of biographer of Charles Russel Burnham, and owned some of Burnham's guns. Maybe a Webley?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...nham#CITEREFLott1981
Lott, Jack (1972). "Burnham, Chief of Scouts". In Bell, E.G.; Lott, Jack; James, Garry. Guns & Ammo 1973 Annual. Los Angeles: Peterson Publishing Co. OCLC 27427113.
Lott, Jack (1981). "Chapter 8. The Making of a Hero: Burnham in the Tonto Basin". In Boddington, Craig. America— The Men and Their Guns That Made Her Great. Los Angeles, California: Petersen Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8227-3022-4.
Lott, J. P. (September 1976). "Major F R Burnham, DSO: A Vindication". Rhodesiana. Salisbury: The Rhodesiana Society (35). ISSN 0556-9605. OCLC 1904759.
Lott, J. P. (March 1977). "Major F. R. Burnham, D.S.O". Rhodesiana. Salisbury: The Rhodesiana Society. 36. ISSN 0556-9605. OCLC 1904759.


Jack designed the .458 Lott in 1971.
Art Alphin started making A-Square rifles and Ammo for the .458 Lott in 1989.
A-Square was a member of SAAMI.
SAAMI certified the .458 Lott in 1995.
Ruger started chambering the RSM for it about 2002, and Hornady made the ammo.
CZ started chambering the 550M for it a few years ago.

Was the relationship between Jack and Art the reason the .458 Lott was SAAMI-ed instead of the 450 Watts of 1947?

Some say Jack's suicide by Webley to the temple was a result not of cancer, but of diabetes mellitus leading to renal failure, hemodialysis, and going blind.
I'd be severely depressed too.

Jacques P. Lott, 1920 -1993, R.I.P.

quote:

Originally posted by RIP:
LHeym500,
I always heard it was a heavily compressed charge of ball powder that was the booger.
Hence, I have never used compressed loads of any kind of ball powder in any of my handloads for any cartridge.
Besides, there are no ball powders I know of with ThermoBallisticIndependence.
It is very easy to get 2150 fps with 500-grainers using several different extruded powders.
I rate the .458 Lott as only about 150 fps faster than the .458 WinMag, nowadays,
unless you load it to 3.800" C.O.L. in the box of a CZ 550 Magnum.

Yes, I agree. I have several reliable handloads where I'm able to obtain 2150 fps with a 500 grain bullet.

Some things that have been rumored or verified:

Jack Lott was a CIA agent or some sort of mercenary who did some secret work in Cuba, Rhodesia, and the Congo?

Jack was some sort of biographer of Charles Russel Burnham, and owned some of Burnham's guns. Maybe a Webley?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...nham#CITEREFLott1981
Lott, Jack (1972). "Burnham, Chief of Scouts". In Bell, E.G.; Lott, Jack; James, Garry. Guns & Ammo 1973 Annual. Los Angeles: Peterson Publishing Co. OCLC 27427113.
Lott, Jack (1981). "Chapter 8. The Making of a Hero: Burnham in the Tonto Basin". In Boddington, Craig. America— The Men and Their Guns That Made Her Great. Los Angeles, California: Petersen Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8227-3022-4.
Lott, J. P. (September 1976). "Major F R Burnham, DSO: A Vindication". Rhodesiana. Salisbury: The Rhodesiana Society (35). ISSN 0556-9605. OCLC 1904759.
Lott, J. P. (March 1977). "Major F. R. Burnham, D.S.O". Rhodesiana. Salisbury: The Rhodesiana Society. 36. ISSN 0556-9605. OCLC 1904759.

There remains some mystery of the man Jack Lott. Those that knew him well, have conveyed stories told to them, of Jack's quasi-Military exploits (some secret) in Cuba and Africa.


Jack designed the .458 Lott in 1971.
Art Alphin started making A-Square rifles and Ammo for the .458 Lott in 1989.
A-Square was a member of SAAMI.
SAAMI certified the .458 Lott in 1995.
Ruger started chambering the RSM for it about 2002, and Hornady made the ammo.
CZ started chambering the 550M for it a few years ago.

Was the relationship between Jack and Art the reason the .458 Lott was SAAMI-ed instead of the 450 Watts of 1947?

It may be that only "after" the introduction of the 458 WM in 1956, and the soon thereafter publication of its perceived shortcomings, did the hunting public feel a need for a more potent 45 caliber. Jack's skill in writing about his "better" 458, likely reached a lot more hunters than Watts was able to reach in the late 40's with his wild-cat.

In addition, the fact that Alphin started making cartridges with Lott's name on the heads, also certified Lott's place in history. A close friend of Jack's told me that one day Jack came into his shop all excited. He held a few empty cases in his hand and couldn't wait to show them off, because they had his name on them. They were A-Square cases with the "458 Lott" head stamp.

Some say Jack's suicide by Webley to the temple was a result not of cancer, but of diabetes mellitus leading to renal failure, hemodialysis, and going blind.

I'd be severely depressed too.

What ever the reason for Lott's choice in the matter of his health, Jack's legacy will live on.

Jacques P. Lott, 1920 - 1993, R.I.P.

Hello RIP,

Thanks for your reply.

I addressed you comments above.

I intend to continue researching this newly acquired rifle of mine, and will try to locate persons still alive today that knew Jack Lott. I'm hoping they can share a few stories about him and his gun building. I'll update as information is discovered.

Also, now with the recently acquired Browning factory letter in hand, I've started researchng Kerr Sport Shop in hopes of finding some records of their sales.

.

Ball H414 loaded 30-06 compressed and stored in intemperate environment changed in a solid mass of something instead of proper powder and clicked, click banged and kind of banged. Storage time 10 years. Break down of remaining rounds showed the issue.

Mr. RIP, Mr.Stix, and Mr 01,

Thank you for the knowledge. I believe you gentleman have confirmed decades of gun writer press. I guess they get it right sometimes.

In summary, over compressed temp sensitive ball powder congeal into a hard un-ignitable mass. I believe in the history of these things these facts are important. Thank you all. Great post.

For Mr. Cal,

Winchester should have just done the 2.85 Watt cartridge and then his name would have been on brass first. Watt just was not positioned to have his Cartidges made into the market. I blame Winchester more the J. Lott for Watt not being given his proper place at the table. Sadly, most my age and younger do not know either Mr. Watt or Mr. Lott.

Buckstix: I have a copy of Guns & Ammo's Big Bore Rifles that appears to be from the early 90s. It has three articles in it by jack Lott. They are titled: 458 Winchester, Ultra-Magnum Wildcats and That Special Touch. I would be happy to send it to you if it would help you with the Jack Lott history. Just PM your address if you can use it.

Oops! Make that Frederick Russell Burnham, not Charles ...
My sometimer's disease kicked in and I conflated Frederick Remington and Charles M. Russell into Burnham's name.
Iconic scout of two continents and two centuries.

I have the 1973 G&A Annual with Lott's article, "Burnham, Chief of Scouts" and the 1981 book edited by Craig Boddington: AMERICA -- The Men and Their Guns That Made Her Great.
Chapter Eight by Jack Lott is "The Making of a Hero: Burnham in the Tonto Basin."

I will be scouring my library for more Jacques P. Lott writings, and look around on Amazon, etc.

This stuff is right up my alley.

I have been a gunnutt since I could walk and talk at age 9 months. Cowboy boots, diaper, and toy gun, I hope to go out in better style than I came in.

Here is another book review.
The book is the GUNS & AMMO 1973 ANNUAL.
Book Review: Good Book.

Jack Lott was the editor of this volume.
The excerpt is a John Buhmiller article complete in two pages.
Jack chose to add a picture of himself just several weeks after the buffalo thrashing. His corneal injury was better, but I bet those broken ribs still hurt.
Hence he was holding the .375 H&H in this picture, while his gunbearer posed with the .458 WinMag M70. Probably hurt Jack's ribs less to shoot the .375 H&H.



It seems John Riley Buhmiller (aka Uncle John aka Oom Janie) also had a close encounter with a buffalo in the 1950s.
He was carrying his wildcat 450 Magnum.
That was a 1950's .458/.375 H&H similar to the Ackley and Barnes Supreme versions, i.e., blown out to have a tiny shoulder and bottle neck.
Buhmiller's 450 Magnum was made from Norma basic cylindrical H&H belted brass that was diverted from the factory before being turned into 300 H&H brass.
Buhmiller's 450 Magnum was 2.850" max length in brass case.

Oom Janie did not fault the cartridge, and indeed he opined by the end of his wildcatting career that nothing larger was needed.
500-grainers at 2350 fps was his prescription for dangerous game.
And, he claimed that he could get 6 or 7 cartridges in the rifle by widening the magazine box at the front, on a Magnum Mauser.
It appears he needed to do a bit more feed work on the 450 Magnum he used in this adventure:

Jack Lott seems to have chosen 2.800" for the .458 Lott brass case max length for a very good reason.
All you have to do is fire a .375 H&H load in the chamber of a .458 Lott and you end up with a case really close to 2.800", trim to 2.790".
Of course, using a .458-caliber bullet with a base rebated to .375 caliber, and some pistol powder and Cream-O-Wheat would be less wear and tear on the rifle's chamber throat.
Apparently that is what Jack did.





http://www.rifleshootermag.com...ed_rifles_buff_1124/

quote:

Originally posted by RIP:
Here is another book review.
The book is the GUNS & AMMO 1973 ANNUAL.
Book Review: Good Book.

Jack Lott was the editor of this volume.
The excerpt is a John Buhmiller article complete in two pages.

Hello RIP,

Thank you for posting the book review of the article written by John Buhmiller.

Interestingly, I also collect rifles by Buhmiller. I have several rifles that have his barrels, two of which have John's unique muzzle-brakes attached.

I also have John's personal 416 Rigby built on a Mauser Brevex action. 25" barrel with a muzzle-brake. John's brakes reduced recoil by nearly 45% in some calibers. His brakes may look ugly to some, (not me) but they sure work. Shooting this 416 Rigby feels about like shoooting a 338 WM.





I'm interested to find out (feel) how well the muzzle-brake works on this Browning that sports a brake that was designed by (and built by) Jack. It looks altogether different from John's brake. Max told me it worked quite well, but I want to feel the recoil myself.



Back in the 1950's and 60's muzzle brakes were a new concept. Much of their design and testing was based on seat-of-the-pants experimentation.

I'm only waiting for a break in the weather in order to shoot this rifle. It can get mighty cold here in Wisconsin in December.

Buhmiller was imo a pioneer in many ways ! I have some pics of bullet designs for big bores that he experimented with.

Many of these designs preceded by years recent designs now claimed as new and revolutionary !
The FN solid with grooves on the shank so that the copper can "flow" into the groove when engraved was a design he experimented with.

Alf,
You are so right.
Maybe we need a thread about John Riley Buhmiller's rifle accomplishments and stories of his pioneering and whatnot?
Maybe I will start it with copied posting of buckstix's rifle above and see how it goes from there ... so as not to highjack the Jack Lott thread ...

Hello RIP

Thanks for the reply.

I appreciate the "so as not to highjack the Jack Lott thread" comment.

To help you get started on John Buhmiller, I've posted info on my other rifle with a Buhmiller barrel with one of his muzzle-brakes, a 500 cal. (I added it to your link)

John Riley Buhmiller, Pioneer Riflecrank