Hi gents, just posting this for an Australian friend who is trying to figure out the quickest way into a 458 Lott Zastava.(wants an economical big banger )

His options are a factory 375H&H rebarelled or re-chambering the factory 458win mag obviously.

Latter sounds simpler but wondered if anyone had actually done the conversion and know what the setup is for the zastava 458wins magazine? I assume its got a block in it, bolt stop etc though hoping the actual box is still magnum length.

Thanks for any tips on which way to roll.

interesting question ...

the answer depends on the price of the barrel vs gunsmithing, as the assumption is the reamer cost is a wash

if he can get a .458 barrel, its going to be easier from that point to make a proper 458lott, especially if he can find a (insert name for whoever marketed the zastava) 458 winmag takeoff barrel ..

chamber, crown, sights, blue

if he reworks a 458 winmag from the standard length action
machine the action for length
feeding
replace/build a bottom metal
chamber

i'd expect the later would actually cost more and take longer than the former

Karl,

I just re-barreled my Zastava 458 Win Mag. I wouldn't recommend using the factory barrel for a Lott conversion. The factory barrel is .660" at the muzzle and as a 458 Win Mag the gun weighs just over 8 Lbs. (3.6 Kilos). I wouldn't even consider that in a Lott chambering.

I put on larger contour barrel with a .750" muzzle diameter and that made the gun much more comfortable.

Buy a used Zastava in .375H&H. Since the cartridge over all length max of 3.6" matches the Lott. Guarantees the magazine box usable without alteration. Also the ejection port opened up to appropriate length saving you labor and money. Then install a takeoff Lott barrel in the appropriate contour, Heed Fjold's advise on barrel contour's.
Just for reference, my Zas. 30-06 has no block in the magazine box and with an inside dimension of 3.422" and port opening of 3.1". If someone with a .458WM and .375H&H would chime in with dimensions, it would confirm the best route.

The magazine box on my 458 Win Mag measures about 3.4" long by .740" wide at the front and .880" wide at the rear.

The ejection port is approximately 3.050" long.

I would have to measure the other stuff, but my 375H&H in the m798(zastava) has a magazine length of 3.6", maybe a hair more. It also had a relief cut in the action at the bottom, just above and in front of the magazine to clear the bullets.

Thanks Fellas, I think new barrel on 375 is the way to go then. he can get one done cheaply to boot.

Just throwing another one out there while on the subject of 458...

Notice the barnes originals are on the market in 400 grains. Wondered if this is their real original aka old style quick expanding type, or have they beefed it up this time around?

His preference is for the former incidentally, a bit of a grenade for medium game. Thanks if anyone has tried them recently and has an idea.

Do you feel there is enough "meat" left in the action when the bottom is cut for the 375 to make it into a 458 Lott or 416 Remmy?