I know with a longer barrel say 24" the Lott will get about 150 fps more velocity out of a 500gr bullet than the win mag will.
Does anyone know the velocity difference if both are 19" or 20" . It seams with less barrel to burn the powder in, the advantage of the extra volume of the lott case would decrease.
Opinions and facts are welcome.
Thanks
DR B

This thread has loading data for both the 458 WM and the 458 Lott and it seems the 150'/sec difference is more myth than reality.....and that difference is not at all related to barrel length.

I have no first hand experience with these cartridges and differing barrel lengths but can assume with some reasonableness that there isn't enough difference to measure.

quote:

It seams with less barrel to burn the powder in, the advantage of the extra volume of the lott case would decrease.

I would concurr with this thinking.

I'm fairly confident that for whatever reason, Ruger/Hornady throttled the performance of their commercialized Lott by using a chamber reamer that doesn't have much if any freebore.

I'd also say there are very few folks I've heard of that have had any problem reaching 2300 fps with 500 gr from a 458 Lott.

My first 458 Lott had a 21 1/2" barrel, with the last 1 1/2" backbored and ported, and it would do 2280 with 500's. I haven't had a chance to do much load work with my latest lott, 22" and no porting, but did clock 2250 w/ 500's, and the new gun has a much tighter chamber and achieves the same velocity with several grains less powder. I'd be hard pressed to believe a 24" lott would have any problem reaching 2300 fps.

Figure you'll loose about 25 fps/inch for either the win mag or lott.

But that might depend on the powder. If a 22" barrel provides for complete combustion, an extra two inches may not be necessary for any significant increase in velocity. The 458 WinMag was a problem for South Africans who reload because Sonchem powders just weren't the best adapted to the case and they got wimpy velocities. So, the cartridge didn't get raves from South African reloaders (according to Pierre van der Walt) who prefer the 458 Lott because they get a little more flexibility.

You may have to juggle powders, but more case capacity will always result in more speed in any given length barrel. Most of us readily hit 2300 out of a Lott and 2400 out of a 450 Ackley with 500 gr bullets. .-Rob

OR, and this is point lost on many velocity only guys.

You can load to original purposed .458 specs I.E. a 500gr bullet @ 2150 with no muss, fuss or compression hassles with the Lott case.

That alone makes the Lott a better option in my book.

My Lott has a 22" barrel In can get 2300FPS out of it but I tend to load it to about 2200 it kills just fine at that velocity.

If you want a 2400FPS + .458 round go get a .450 Rigby or a Weatherby because you REALLY have to lean on a Lott to get that out of it. Just like you REALLY have to lean on a .458Win to reliably get 2150 out of it.

I'll wade in..

the 458 AR gets 2350+ with a 21" barrel... we will be working on that same load with a 26" barrel, for too long...

When RIp or 500g want to do an 18" lott, quickload basically said "fine, use reloader 7" ..

in the same LEGAL length barrel (over 16.5") , using the same reloading techniques, the lott will always be faster than the winmag.

jeffe

quote:

Originally posted by Paul H:
I'm fairly confident that for whatever reason, Ruger/Hornady throttled the performance of their commercialized Lott by using a chamber reamer that doesn't have much if any freebore.

This statement is true -- to the point of causing some consternation when Federal announced they were going to load trophy bonded bear claws: the rounds' meplats were too wide to fit in the bore -- with almost ANY depth of seating! I understand that they re-shaped the bullet to solve the problem.

Dan

Surestrike, do have 458 win mag rifles in 22" and 24" barrels that you can do comparisons with? I do and have no trouble getting 2150 f/s out of either of them. I also have two lotts to play with and both can achieve 2300 f/s but to get much more you will have to duplicate the same problem you ascribe to the 458 Win mag that is high pressure.Don't you agree?

Jeff and all....
I'm going to do a test soon, using the same barrel to make a 450 Marlin, then a 458 Win, then a Lott. I'll use the same barrel, pressure testing equipment, and fire a bullet from each into the www.thebullettesttube.com to compare penetration. Ought to be intesting....Jeff, I may need a little help if you dont mind the beating.. ..
Charlie

Wow.
This place amazes me.
Can't be beat for learning.

Unbelievable! I just logged on to Post a simbolar question to DR.B's. I want to know what velocities can I realistically expect from a .458 and .458 Lott with a 18-19" barrel. If some one can answer this keeping in mind that I will be using Sonchem powders.

quote:

Originally posted by Dr B:
I know with a longer barrel say 24" the Lott will get about 150 fps more velocity out of a 500gr bullet than the win mag will.
Does anyone know the velocity difference if both are 19" or 20" . It seams with less barrel to burn the powder in, the advantage of the extra volume of the lott case would decrease.
Opinions and facts are welcome.
Thanks
DR B

The 458LOTT, shouldn't be loaded faster than the advertised velocity of the 458 Win Mag. The 458 Win Mag struggles to achieve that advertised velocity,and in most case doesn't make it at all, while the LOTT gets it easy, and with less chamber pressure. I look at the LOTT as a 450NE 3 1/4" designed for a bolt rifle, nothing more! I load mine to 2150fps, with a 480 gr Woodliegh soft or solid, and kill hell out of cape buffalo, with less fuss, or recoil! That is what the 458Win Mag was supposed to do, duplicate the 450NE with a 500 gr bullet. The 458LOTT is what the 458 Win Mag should have been in the first place!

quote:

Originally posted by Sisk Rifles:
Jeff and all....
I'm going to do a test soon, using the same barrel to make a 450 Marlin, then a 458 Win, then a Lott. I'll use the same barrel, pressure testing equipment, and fire a bullet from each into the www.thebullettesttube.com to compare penetration. Ought to be intesting....Jeff, I may need a little help if you dont mind the beating.. ..
Charlie

Charlie,
let me know when... might bring the 458 AR reamer over, then, too, just to finish the story. ... remember then time when my littlest sun (he turns 21 on the 9th) and I where shooting my 300 win and you built a 300 rum.. over at lake houston GC ?? i STILL hate shooting RUMS from that day on.

Mac,
i agree, and thinnk the lott should be loaded to 2200, here's partly why

(quickload - 24"barrel, 50,000 psi, woodleigh 500gr)
458win 2103fps
458lott 2206fps
458ar 2236fps

jeffe

every thing i have heard says that for every inch of barrel- you gain 50 fps or loose from shortenning the barrel. it is a proven fact that all the powder is burned up within the first couple of inches, so unless you have bad powder the lott will alway have the advantage over the win mag. i cant give specific numbers from these 2 fine calibers as i never have owned one. but the facts are still the same

nwwash,
in big bores, it's generally 15-25 FPS/inch

jeffeosso,thanks for the clarification, i hadent heard the big bores were about half

it's the expansion ratio.. <grin> think about it... .458 hole on a .65 barrel is MOSTLY hole!!