1st post here. I have a 77 mark II in 30-06. It is a feather weight, I have no use for. I was thinking of going bigger. I was wondering if I could get 2400-2500fps with a 300 Grain X bullet and a 20-22 inch barrel. How good efficient is this round? I am looking for something with some thump. I was thinking a 450 Alaskan but it is not a commercial round, even though I reload, I do not need to have another gun to make brass for. I don't want/need a 458 Win mag. This is going to be a close range gun for black bear and whitetail. This is gonna be a fun gun, I am building a 280Imp for serious work on whitetails

Welcome!!

I built a 458 winmag for my youngest, and littest, son... it's a mexican mauser, with a cz takeoff barrel...

why am i telling you this?

The mag is limited to about 3.15 or so, so it's more or less a hopped up 450 marlin, but it can and does do LOTS more...

for example.. the 450 marlin is more than topped out, with a 350 at about 2300 IN A BOLT GUN (this is 458x2") when the 458 runs that to 2600+ if you feel like it...

I would suggest you go ahead with the 458 win, and load it to whatever you want. as it's far easier to load DOWN than get the 450 on the heals of the 458 or 450 alaskan, for that matter.

any choice would be good,

jeffe

Jeffe:

I'm surprised you didn't suggest the .376 Steyr, which your own experiments proved can duplicate the .375 H&H, exactly what Hornetfan wants to achieve (300 at 2400-2500). Less modification to the .30-06 bolt and magazine, too, compared to the .458.

Or, he could go with 9.3x62 and achieve the practical equivalent (286 at 2350) with just a rebarrel and no action mods.

On the other hand, if a .45-caliber round is desired, then I agree with you that he should go with the .458 WM and load it down rather than choose a hot-rodded .45-70 or .450 Marlin. I've developed a load with the 350-grain Hornady that they use in the .450 Marlin in my .458 that's the equivalent of the latter round (2150 fps), and it's accurate and mild in a bolt action rifle. Anytime I need something bigger, it's a simple matter of loading a heavier bullet or more powder or both.

Eric,
He seemed to what a 45... so rather than talk him into the ultracool, supersecrete club of ours, I figured i'ld share with him some advice on the 458...

btw, jeffeito started with puny 45/70 loads, that we eventually ran up to full house 405 grains...

i am taking my 376 and my 58cal double on a pig hutn next weekend!!

jeffe

How about the 458 #2, it is what you say your looking for...

personally I would build a .458 and load it down to where I wanted it, then I would have very low pressure, brass would last forever, and I would have all that power in reserve, if ever the need arose.

I agree with Ray. I have a 458x2 that I built on an FN comercial action about 25 yrs ago. For most of that time I have thought that a 458x2-1/8 would have been better because to get anywhere with this cartridge you always have the case full of 4198 or RL-7. One of these days I am going to stick a 458 Win Mag reamer in this thing and make it what it should have been in the first place. I can load it down to whatever level I want from there.

Hornetfan,

I have a .450 Marlin on a bolt action, Win M70 SA. Great cartridge that works better in a bolt action than in a lever action, in my opinion. Charlie Sisk of Sisk Rifles built one for one of his clients, you can see it at www.siskguns.com/Bradley_Yukon.htm, if you like.
The .450 Marlin really shows what it can do when loaded with spitzer type bullets. You can drive a 450 gr. Swift A-Frame at just over 2000 fps., this is what the client of Charlie Sisk loads his at. I prefer the Barnes X bullets and my two favorites loads are the 350 gr. using 54.1 gr. of IMR 4198 for 2,361 fps. and 450 gr. using 51.6 gr. IMR 4198 for 2,087 fps.. You could do much worse than build a bolt action in .450 Marlin. Lawdog

Thanks for the info. Never thought about loading down a 458 Win Mag, It is basically a long version of the 450 Marlin. I will be using it for critters in Pa. I am a bit recoil sensitive and have shot a 458 with 500 grain solids, a bit more than I care for or have a need for (IMHO an assinign amount of recoil). I was so impressed with a 300 grain Barnes x 45 cal coming out of an in line at around 1800fps I think (Two 50 grain 777 pellets) cranking that up 600 or so fps would be a neat gun. I wont be in a situation like some of you guys that the critter I am shooting is gonna stomp a mud hole in my ass. If the time comes and could afford a trip for Grizz or Cape Buffalo then a more fitting gun would be in production. It is a solid action and hate to sell it but it wont be used in it's state. The 338 Short Ultra on a long action also has me scratching my head. I was thinking a Pac-Nor barrel and drop the whole thing in a Boyds Laminate with a compact 3x9 Luepold. Just need a caliber, still kicking things around. I saw that Clark and Sisk build the same gun, I can do it cheaper by a 3rd by using this set up. Thanks again now more decisions, I will keep you guys posted.

In the action that you have, I'd do the .458. The .450 shines, but only in a short action. In the longer action, the bigger case has every advantage.

Gabe

Hornetfan,

"I don't care who you are, thats funny right there!!" -- Larry the C.G.

Good taste in comedy.

David