Just got back from putting 22-rounds through the new Ruger .458 Lott. I loaded last night some 500gr BarnesX w/75grns 4320, some w/78grns and took some pre-loaded Hornady .500gr FMJ. I shot standing, bench, with and without a towel to cushion. Gun worked great, Warne mounts stayed tight, scope glass didn't crack, etc.

Obvious discovery was that the 75gr load is nice to shoot, the 78gr not bad, but the Hornady load (with the velocity I guess I eventually want to load up to) was, well, less then enjoyable...

So....my question is, what effect will loading a lower weight bullet to ~2300fps, specifically 450gr, have on felt recoil as compared to the Hornady load?

Thanks for any input!

PS: I will be installing a Decelerator Pad (D750B?), and maybe a mercury reducer, but wanted to get a feel for the worst-case.

In my experience the momentum of the load matches closely to the felt recoil, what is technically termed correlation between subject and object measurements. In my experience to really notice a difference in recoil, at the level of the Lott, takes about a 20%+ reduction in momentum.

ASS_CLOWN

You should notice a decrease in recoil, at similar velocities, however, that decrease may be small. Another factor in "felt recoil" is weight of powder charge. You didn't mention velocities, but the factory Hornady loads I have chronographed in my rifle were in the neighborhood of 2240 fps. out of a 23" barrel. I suspect that Hornady loads to near max and the Barnes book lists that as 81gr. H-4320. I realize that the Lott is a real kicker(kicks harder than my .500NE) but if you are going to get your money's worth out of the round and at the same time learn to control the recoil IMO you should do as you are presently doing, shoot lower powered loads and work up to full power. The more you shoot the gun the less it will bother you. Shooting a .458 Lott will never be a soothing experience, it just won't be like going 12 rounds with Mike Tyson.

Geronimo

If you're not hunting thin skinned game with your lott, you'll find a 350 gr speer or hornady @ 2400-2500 fps is a pussycat to shoot (on par with a 375 H&H) and will handly dispatch any NA game within 250 yds. I used RL 7 and as I recall between 76 and 80 grs.

Accuracy was very good, and pressures were mild. I know Ray will chime in that 458 Lotts kick, and there is no use for lighter bullets. If it is a dedicated elephant gun, than true enough. My new Lott will be a deer, moose and bear gun, so 350's will do the trick.

I,m having a Lott built as well and was after a dual purpose gun. I will be able to fire full house 500gn loads but will be used more in Australia where 300gn Barnes X bullets will get more of a work out. My thinking was that I will use the 300 gn barnes X spitzers for most things, trying full presure loads ,but if recoil is still high I might go back to a smaller amount of faster burning powder ,say 65gns. Less powder and lighter bullet should give less recoil but still flat enough shooting.

The factory Hornady loads are nice and stout aren't they! So far in my Lott I have ran 500 gr Hornadys with 80 and 82 grains of 4320 and both were softer than the factory loads. I'm now shooting Barnes 450Xs over 82 grains 4320 and this load is much nicer than the factory 500 load. I'm taking 50 of these X rounds ground squirrel shooting next week . I haven't used lighter loads yet but I can really see the beauty of the Lott now...from 45-70 type loads to the starchy full boat ones.



John

Anyone have hang-fire issues with 45-70 level loads in the Lott?

ASS_CLOWN

With the loads your shooting you should be getting about 1500 Fps, if that, so I'm sure you had no problems....

A max load of IMR-4320 in a 458 Lott is about 84 to 85 grs. and that will net you about 2350 FPS and jar your fillings lose....It is a wakeup call in the recoil department...

The diff. will be very noticable. I enjoyed shooting 400gr bullets @ 2200fps. 500gr bullets @ 2200fps was work. I have a .404Jeff. now & am quite happy w/ that perf. range. Good luck w/ the ne cannon.