It seems that in order to improve upon the performance of the case capacity-constrained .458 Winchester Magnum (case length 2.5"), the next available step up is to cartridges based upon the full-length .375H&H case (2.8")like the Lott, .450 Watts, .450 Ackley.

Or is it? Are there any other .45s with greater capacity than the .458Win. that will work in an M70, for example, that are not full-length .375H&H-based?

I am at work so I don't have my reference material available, but what about the .460 Van Horn (2.5" case, but larger body diameter)?

George

[ 02-11-2003, 02:03: Message edited by: GeorgeS ]

There is the 450 G&A, a 2.5" long 404 necked up with the shoulder moved back. This is essentially identicle to what Roy Vincent did with his 450 short some time later. There is also the 450 Howell, which I believe predates the 450 G&A, and as I recall is a 2.55" long 404.

As far as a short 460 Whetherby, that would be the 460 A-square short, though I'm sure someone else did that earlier, probably the Van Horn?

Personally I'd go with a 404 based round, has the same case capacity as the lott, and I just can't see using something as large in dia as the 460 W, unless you were using a large action, which would allow the use of the full length cartridge anyhow.

Thanks, Joe. The .450 Vincent Short looks interesting; I'll have to find out if it will feed properly in an M70 and how much work might be required. As I understand it, any .404Jeffery-based round requires opening up the ejection port, and replacement of the magazine box. I don't want to lose magazine capacity, either.

Maybe I'll just have a .458 Lott built and load it to 2200fps.

George

GeorgeS I would go with the 458 Lott and just load it down to 2150-2200fps. The fatter cases usually cause feeding problems. Plus with the Lott you have a factory ammo option of 458 Lott OR 458 Win.

George,
I don't like doing normal so I myself would probably go for the .450 Vincent. If you want to contact Roy Vincent about the cartridge I believe his e-mail address is still Kabakwe@gatorzw.com. He has given JGS permission to make the reamers for anyone who wants one.

Try 460 HE MAG from Heavy Insdustries. It is beltless and should feed like a dream. Have fun!

Thirty thousands of brass!

Three hundred, not thirty, thousandths of case length. You blew the joke, Ray. Nice try though.

Paul H has nailed the chronology pretty well.

And why not just stick with the easy conversion and the available factory loads of the .458 Lott?

My handloaded ammo duplicates the Hornady factory ballistics, and that means just over 2200 fps with a 500 grain bullet from a 24" barrel. Sweet. Then your sights will be set for use of your handloads or the factory ammo interchangeably.

There is no need to punish yourself or your rifle with any higher velocities or pressures.

No dramas, mate.

Thanks to PC for this phrase.

Thanks, folks. I've pretty much settled on chambering for the Lott and loading it down somewhat.

This is strictly a 'plaything', since my .470 Capstick is my designated 'heavy' rifle. The .458 bullets are more available and less expensive than .475 bullets, although I find myself with several hundred .475 bullets (funny how that happens ).

Another factor in picking the Lott was that if I do sell it later, it will be easier to sell than a less-common chambering.

George

I was looking at a CZ that Brockman customized the other day and with the drop box, the 458 Lott held 6 down and 1 in the chamber for a total of 7 ready to go out the front end, now that is a dangerous game rifle IMO...

Also he ground all the writing off the gun, stocked it with a nice piece of wood added a trigger and some sho nuff nice iron sights..I was impressed with it....

I get a kick out of all these "dangerous game rifles" of huge caliber that hold 2 down and 1 up...not my cup of tea..