I am considering buying a .458, most likely a CZ with the intention of reaming it out to .458lott.

Could someone please explain a little more about the Lott and the less known Watts verson too?

I understand that some Lott reamed chambers will accept this chambering as well, leaving you with the option of using any of the three mentioned cartridges should the circumstance arise that you can only obtain one or the other.

How much is the lott ballistically superiour to the 458win, and the watts over the lott?

Hi Express,

The 458 Lott and the 450 Watts are almost identical twins, if memory serves correctly. My Lott gets 2300 fps very easily with a 500 grain bullet. Before it became a Lott it was a 458 Win and just under 2050 fps was what my loads averaged with the 500 grainers. I'm told the Lott can get 2400 fps but haven't tried. The 450 Ackley will fire the both 458 Win and the 458 Lott. You can fire 458 Win ammo in the Lott. Headstamped brass is available for the Lott, but not for the Watts or Ackley. Hope this helps!

Good Hunting,

The original lott design will not allow use of 450 Watts ammunition, as the 458 lott was originally designed as a 2.80" case, when you neck up 375 H&H brass, the 2.85" case gets shorter, and Jack Lott chose to trim to 2.80".

James Watts design, which predated the 458 win by 4 years started with the belted basic brass with a straight taper, and was hence a 2.85" long case.

Some reamer makers make the Lott for a 2.80" case, some make it for a 2.85" case. The most versitile chamber would be a 2.85" lott.

The lott offers an honest 200 fps gain over the 458 win mag, but I have a hard time believing the lott will achieve 500 gr @ 2400 fps unless one runs high pressures, or uses a long barrel. I don't think there is a signifigant performance gain from the Watts case, or even the blown out ackley, maybe another 50 fps, but thats all. Since the Lott is now a std round, it is the one to go with, IMHO. Can't wait til I get my replacement one finished.

Express,
Try this site will answer questions...Mike

www.african-hunter.com/site/classcart/458wattslott_01.htm

EXPRESS,

.458 Lott 2.8" total length made from a 375 H&H or from a cylindrical cartridges .45

.450 Watts 2.850" total length from a .375 H&H or cylindrical cartridges .45 WITHOUT any shoulder, this is a straight cartridge.

.450 Ackley 2.850" total lenghth from a .375 H&H WITH a shoulder of 20� (remaining shoulder of .375 h&H brass blow up to .458)
see A-Square book page 555 gfor drawing od .450 Ackley.

The Watts, Mashburn and Ackley are equal in velocity. The Lott is a little bit slower, but animal can't see the difference between these calibers

And I'll just add that properly marked 450 Ackley brass is, or at least was, available from A-square. - Dan

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I dug up this thread on a search for 450 Watts.

One question that was alluded to on several threads, but never directly answered:

If I have a 450 Watts, can I shoot a 458 Lott round through it?

I understand you can shoot a 458 Win, but have not heard definitively on the Lott.

Thanks.

I ahve z cz .458 Lott, I had 2 extra cross bolts installed, rails polished, barrel band added feeding perfected etc. It holds 5+1. I would not wat a .458 Lott any lighter than this is.

My smith used a clymer reamer and he said according to the specs the chamber is 2.87" Unless I am getting what he said wrong.

I reckon the cz .458 is a good platform for a high capacity .458 Lott. I even like my Hogs back stock with Pachy pad standard scored a nice bit of wood as well. Hornady dies and brass from Grafs, as it's a factory round now I would opt for the Lott.

Good luck and keep us up-dated.

CZ is building some 458lotts , with a straight stock. 458lott can be shot in 458 watts, but not vice versa.

Does anyone know if the Interarms MkX action is long enough for the Lott or Watts? Would the box need to be lengthened?

If the Mk X was an original 375 length action, the Lott, Watts, and Ackley will all fit. If it was a short magnum, the box, follower, and receiver will have to be opened up. If it was a standard action, all the previous will have to be done and the bolt face will have to be opened up. And just to set the trail, the 458 Win can be used in the Lott, the 458 Win and Lott can be used in the Watts, the 458 Win, Lott, and Watts can be used in the Ackley. FWIW - Dan

Thanks Dan. I don't suppose there is any way to tell the length of the action over the internet?
Any particular measurements that can be requested?

Length of receiver opening (measured from the bottom where the box goes) and the inside front to back measurement of the box itself, and the measurement across the the face of the bolt, from inside edge to inside edge. I don't remember these measurements offhand, and I'm not at home, so either someone else can chime in, or I'll post on this topic again an a couple/three days. - Dan

does the watts predate the ackley? ?

I remember reading in the handloaders guide, that "the norma cylindrical brass is just about perfect as is" for making the 458 ackley (not 450 alaskan/ackley)

jeffe

I've never bothered with a 450 Watts, but I've built a couple of 450Ackleys, Lotts and recently a long throat 458 win mag. The ackley will do an Honest 2400 fps with a 500 gr bullet and the Lott will do 2300 fps both with 26 inch barrels. My long throat Ruger #1 with a 23 inch barrel will do 2250fps. Yes you can shoot a std 458 win mag out of either a Lott, Ackley or I'm told a watt. FWIW I think the Ackley is the best of the breed!-Rob

Dan,
All Mark X's are standard length actions that have been openned up and in 375 they cut a lot of metal away up front, which is a condemed practice, but the truth is the Mark X with its modern steel has performed with distinction, so much for accepted theroy by our elite..

Thanks Ray, that was the point I was trying to make. - Dan