As I anxiously wait for the day I'll join 475guy at the range to shoot his big bores, I can't help but wonder about the 458. I read an article in Man Magnum about the various 458's and other loud and boomers and was wondering about the recoil increase in these guns. I hear it's "manegable" and yet, I also hear it is an increase from the 416. The article seemed to praise the gun, author had an 8.5 pound lott, and said it to be a good veld gun for everything. Really, I think I'm looking for a reason to get that ruger RSM. They are darn pretty rifles, but the heavy barrel on the 375 made it seem impracticle, now on a 458 it may not be that way. Would it be best to buy the 458 lott even if you intend to use the 458 win mag ammo? (It'll be interesting to see what caliber I look for after I shoot some loud and boomers .)

Sevens

Sevens, with the heavy barrel on the Lott, it would be impractical to use it only as a 458 WM. I should know in a week or so what my new days off will be. I won't be bringing the Lott this time as I don't have my Suburban running and am running around in my commuter POS Honda. Just get geared up for the 375 and 416 only. You're probably running around like a kid waiting for the Christmas presents to get unwrapped!! Take a deeeeeep breath and the time will come soon enough.

Sevens,
Being a bigbore fan, my idea of a LIGHT right is 9#... in a big bore. Barrel heavy guns, AEBE, are easier to shoot offhand than lighter guns. Witness the kentucky rifle.

jeffe

What's the increase on recoil like from the 375 to the 458 win mag? The 458 Lott? If the Lott is manigable in the RSM (and I can handle the big bores without degrading my shooting) It looks like a good option. Ammo for the lott is still relatively cheap.

Sevens

Sevens, the recoil of both the 375 and 458 WM is comparable in that they're just solid pushes. The Lott is a quantum leap in recoil in that it get your attention in one big hurry. I can't really quantify the recoil only that the Lott is approximately 2X or more than the 375 in that department. I let a guy shoot it way back when and his first and only shot caused the rifle to come off the bags and would've hit the ground if I wasn't ready to catch it. Obviously he wasn't mentally prepared for really big recoil.

The weight is nice when you shoot the std 458 and necessary with the Lott IMO...

The trouble I have with these big bores is I have to carry them many miles sometimes in extreme heat, so I will stay with a light 416 Rem or a 404...I have a .470 and if the buff are within a mile or two I will carry it, but sometimes they take off and I end up packing it all day and it is a burden for sure at 11 pounds..but I am old, I suspect a young man could run 20 miles with a 15 pound gun, at least thats what I am told.

30 years ago I had a .450 Ackley Mag, with a light 22" barrel on a P-14 action, but with one of the old Herter's muzzle brakes (The one with 1 BIG, LONG hole in each side).

It was light and easy to carry, and could be shot with 500 gr. bullets one-handed while holding it over my head (In fact, I had occasion to shoot it from that awful position a couple of times).

I know muzzle brakes are declasse in the bush, especially if you have a PH standing where he will get the muzzle blast, but I and the guy I eventually sold the rifle to in Saskatchewan both loved it.

AC