I have a pre64 mod 70 in 458Win mag. Now, on the one hand I hear the lott is superior, on the other the 458 is all you need; and I think it would be fun to hunt africa with a classic cartridge like the 500 schuler. So, since I only want to have one heavy: I am too old to begin rifle collecting; what is the general consensus of opinion regarding my perceived dilemma

If I was sure I was going to hunt africa Iand I didn't mine spending the money I would convert it to the lott.

If I just wanted a big bore around I would leave it in 458.

If I wanted to dink around with a not standard caliber and spend a lot more money go with the 500.

Do you mine the recoil of the 458 if so your not going to like the lott or the 500. If you don't mine it stepping up in most likely not going to be any trouble.

Book a hunt and take your .458 as is.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
Book a hunt and take your .458 as is.

Damn right.....and take me with ya!
just kidding of course.....
The 458 is a good cartridge as is. The Lott is marginally better.

458 win, and be happy with the ballistics it provides... but, and I am certain you are a reloader, you'll have to reload to get there.

jeffe

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
Book a hunt and take your .458 as is.

With today's modern powders, there is no reason to suffer from Lott envy. I have really enjoyed my .458 Win Mag and it shoots great with H335 (little to no compression with 500 grain loads) getting between 2150 and 2200 fps. I am with 500 Grains on this one.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
Book a hunt and take your .458 as is.

Damn right.....and take me with ya!
just kidding of course.....

NOT ME! I'm not kidding, take me with you, so I can back your play with a 470NE double, not that you'll need it, but you never know!

If your only planning one or two trips to take one or two elephants or buff, the 458 Win will do just fine. Take fresh handloaded ammo, use Woodleigh, Hornady or old style Winchester steel jacket solids and Woodleigh or Swift softs for buff. Stay away from the monometal solids as they are too long and will take up too much of the 458 Win limited powder space.

The whole idea of safari is to have fun (without getting killed of course) so if you want a bigger gun or a double go for it but make sure it is light enough to carry all day and you can handle the added recoil (shoot it quickly and accurately).

465H&H

Do nothing, you have a gun chambered for an excellent classic post-WWII African cartridge. Fed, Remi, Speer and Norma load excellent cartridges for Africa bound Nimrod.

Thanks guys: It appears that most agree with what I thought in the first place. I have 4 rifles, 300 H&H,375 H&H, 458 WM all mod 70's and a 30-06that began life as a 1903 springfield; all of which I have been very pleased with. I just got a little confused with all the contradictory inf about the 458. I have gone through too many wives(and loosing rifles) to start acquiring an arsenal anew! Although one fellow warned against using monometal solids:I was planning on using some GS FN bullets in the 458

Dittos on take your win mag and go hunting.

As to the debates of win mag vs lott, if you're going to buy a new one, the Lott makes sense. But since you have a fine rifle and chambering, that also makes sense.

I would highly advise against the 500 Schuler. To get a rifle of the quality worth building, and by someone that knows what they are doing, will set you back as much as a cape buff hunt.

you would -never- regret having a 500 schuler / jeffery. it makes all these 458's childs play

if winchester had built the 458 on a true magnum action you could just run a lott reamer in it and be upgraded - so much for the winchester junk. it is good they are gone !

I have both a 458 lott and a 500 Jeffrey, and if the toss up were between a properly built Lott and a buff hunt, I'd take the buff hunt every time. Having anything other than a properly built 500 Jeffrey is not a good idea.

As far as the 458 being childs play, yeah right. I found my 500 Jeffrey housed in the stock that held my first lott, albeit a good pound and change heavier, the 500 J was milder in fealt recoil, despite launching 600 gr @ 2200 fps. Overall recoil was greater, but the recoil pulse wasn't nearly as sharp.

there is a Johannsen built 500 jeffery available for $9,500. replacement is about $15,000. this is a real rifle

far superior to -any - 458 period