a friend of mine has a .458 american built on a mauser action it has a 20" barrel and a manlicher stock. I shot it and grouped 1" at 100 yards with open sites. It is stamped PO Ackley. Can anyone tell me what they think the gun might be worth and is it adequte for cape buffalo? What was it designed for? Dave

Dave,
the 458 american is a 458 win shortened to 2" case. it's the same thing as the 450 marlin. a GREAT north american round, but not suitable for cape. It COULD, totally maxed out, throw a 500 at 1900fps with a 20" barrel. It will SHINE with 350 grain bullets at ~2200.

as for worth? it's got Parker's name on it... in nice condition, 750...
jeffe

Would it be a great choice for buff....no! It would however be more than adequate.

I saw one similar to what you described on GunsAmerica and the owner was asking, I believe, something in excess of $1500 for it...it was on the site for a long time (may even still be there) but I don't think Ackley's name will add that much to the value

How many shots in that 1" group at 100 yards using iron sights? I assume you also shot it from horseback at a gallop.....please post photos of the horse.

[ 07-23-2003, 07:00: Message edited by: DB Bill ]

I think they should re-name this web site Sarcastic Reloading Forum. For the record I shot a 3 shot group and it was from a solid bench rest. If I had been on horse back the horse would certainly be dog food right now.

DaveK......sorry about that but I occasionally have this little imp who comes out and makes me say these things...especially when I read things like 1" groups at 100 yards with open sights.

I guess I'm just envious of those who have the skill and incredible eyesight to get a 40+ year-old rifle chambered for a big-bore cartridge to shoot 1" groups at any range....you da' man!

i can shoot 1" with my m14 polytech at 100, iron sights... richard can do it with a 416 cz and a 577, and he does it offhand...

jeffe

Barnes of COTW fame designed this cartridge in an attempt to put .45/70 ballistics into a bolt-action rifle before the Siamese Mausers started arriving here.... As mentioned above, it is the .450 Marlin, but the belt on the Marlin is deeper fore & aft, so the two are NOT INTERCHANGEABLE!!

Just a thought for builders of 458 American or 458x2. A set of hornady 450 Marlin dies works to form cases and load this cartridge just as well as the $120 set of RCBS. Midway has them on sale right now for $40.

I have been reloading for my 458x2" using Hornady 450 Marlin dies for about a year and a half now.
My gun likes them jes' fine and RCBS wanted way too much for the branded dies,just like my 1886 Winchester in 38-56. In that case RCBS wanted in excess of $400 for the case forming dies alone,I just bought a set of Lee dies for about $25 and lubed a few 45-70 cases and ran them right up the Lee dies in small steps,-> perfectly formed cases. No reason not to improvise when reloading for an "obsolete" or "wildcat" cartridge. Some careful,insightful,and daring steps can save big bucks resulting in more guns to reload for,resulting in more dies to buy,resulting in more.....you get the idea? 45nut

RCBS are my favourite dies but when it came to .458 Lott dies Hornady were 25.49US and RCBS were about $198US if I remeber right. Which way do you think I went ??