458 Lott nearly finished

03 February 2002, 19:40

I was out with John Ricks this afternoon to test fit and fire my new Lott. I shot a dozen or so times from the bench with 500 grain loads, and a couple 400gr Barnes bullets. The gun is very well made and shoots as good as I hoped it would. I had several three shot groups with holes touching, the first two shots I took made only an enlarged hole. Recoil is not bad even from the bench, I've fired much more stressful rifles then this one!

The Temporary "fit" stock is a bit lighter then the finised stock will be which is laminated walnut. It's also made specific for open sights. Oh did I forget to mention that the groups were shot with a non-adjustable peep sight! The target was 2" x2" black square and the front bead covers it pretty good when your aiming. So when you shoot a hole touching group with fixed Peeps imagine what is possible with a low powered scope!

Let me put it into auto racing terms for you. If John was my pit crew,.... we would be winning plenty of races based on his gunsmithing skills! I'm anxious to continue developing loads to see what works best. So far the 400 grain loads hit about 3" higher then the 500 grain loads. Windage is nearly the same considering peep sights and low resolution targets.

With this set as it is I can use both 400 grain loads and 500 grain loads interchangable. We will put the 400 grain bullets 2" high and the 500 grian bullets will be 1" low. I'm thinking the swift Aframes at 450 grains will be dead center???

I can hope anyway! Thanks for a great Job John and I look forward to seeing it complete in a couple more weeks.

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Be very patient, remember the second mouse gets the cheese

03 February 2002, 20:04

<redleg155>

JJ -

Glad to hear that Lott is working fine. Sounds like Mr. Ricks has done a wonderful job. Is that "temp-fit" stock that old Fajen one that I sent to John? If so, glad it has served its purpose well for you.

redleg

04 February 2002, 00:15

Rusty Gunn

Wow! The Dragon Slayer breathes fire! Is this to be your 'monster' in Africa? ~~~Suluuq

04 February 2002, 04:46

JJHACK

Yes this was the stock although you would never recognise it now. It's completly reshaped into an Open sight functional stock.

This is a large caliber rifle so it's got a bit of push when fired. It's not at all uncomfortable or scary. I shot every time from a seated bench position without holding the forend down just resting it on bags and holding the grip to squeeze the trigger. The muzzle jumps about 10" off the bag and the rifle comes back as you would expect. I had a Carhart jacket on, and used earplugs and headphones. I always do this from the bench I hate the blast.

If I can handle this at 5'10" 175 pounds from the bench how bad can it be? I'll tell you when it's finished I will be shooting it quite a lot as it's fun to shoot such a big powerful rifle and it does not kill you with recoil as most people seem to think.

I have to say that the heavier Laminated stock will likely reduce this further and the decelerator recoil pad on the new rifle will help as well.

John has a great shop with enough equipment to make anything your likely to dream up. I could not be more pleased with the work so far!

Rusty your book was sent out Thursday By the way.

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Be very patient, remember the second mouse gets the cheese

05 February 2002, 06:20

Atkinson

JJ,
Sounds lik a real using gun in a real using caliber and John Ricks does do good work...You will really like the killing power of the Lott, as it is very satisfactory on Buffalo and visably better than your 375 H&H, not to say the 375 isn't a Buff gun because it is, but the Lott is just that much better....Enjoy.

------------------
Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

06 February 2002, 04:40

<George Hoffman>

JJ,
I know you are anxious to see the birth of a new toy. We are always excited to see if a new one will live up to our dreams.
If I were to ever go to a 45 caliber rifle, I wold do exactly what you did and choose a
.458 Lott. There are so many bullets to choose from in the .458s I hear Ruguar is going to chamber for the Lott and Hornady may produce the ammo, which makes it a better deal all around, good luck.
George

06 February 2002, 17:00

<Don G>

Congrats JJ, sounds like a keeper! Maybe I can try it out at Landelani?

I'll let you shoot NGawa if you promise to wash your hands first!

Don

06 February 2002, 19:21

Canuck

Looks like I'll be getting a treat feasting my eyes (and paws?) on two real beauties this May!

Congrats Jim! Just hope you don't get a chance to use it on my account!

Canuck

07 February 2002, 09:44

Rusty Gunn

JJ... got the book today(Tuesday), thanks. ~~~Suluuq

08 February 2002, 12:24

Wildcatter

JJHACK,

I sent you an e-mail and it returned to sender.?

-Catter

08 February 2002, 12:53

JJHACK

Well it's working bud,

jjhack@customosteo.com

Maybe a typo??

Try again, I'll be looking for it.

08 February 2002, 13:04

Paul H

quote:
Originally posted by Canuck:
Looks like I'll be getting a treat feasting my eyes (and paws?) on two real beauties this May! (sic) Canuck

Canuck, alay my fears, you are talking about the guns?

09 February 2002, 17:03

Canuck

Boy, A guy's really got to watch his choice of words around here! You can rest easy Paul, of course I meant the beautiful creations of Mr Ricks! No offence to Don and JJ, but the only other "beauties" I expect to see will be wearing hooves (as in "Gee Don, that is a BEAUTIFUL Kudu!!"

Canuck

12 February 2002, 09:13

Paul H

Canuck,

I knew what you meant, but figured since you set yourself up, somebody had to mention it

I should be taking some deliveries of my Mr. Ricks jobs myself, the 458 lott M98 and 500 Jeffry P-14, both barreled actions that I'll be stocking and putting on the sights etc. I'm also having him re-chamber my 35 whelen to 350 Rigby.