.458 WM to .458 Lott

[NickJ]

I truly love the .458s. There is a definite difference between the 458 Win Mag and the 458 Lott. I have had many people shoot my 8.5lb 458 Win Mag, no one has refused a second go. With the scoped 458 Lott that weighs 11lbs it is fairly common for people to say no when offered another few shots. 500 grain full house factory loads are quite snappy! I think for many people there is a line in recoil that is crossed between these two cartridges. Saying that when using it in the field the recoil becomes a non- event and I invariably see my strikes. Off the bench both the Win Mag and the Lott are unpleasant, from prone they are painful!
Here are some recovered bullets from my recent trip. The bullets (450grain Barnes TSX) and 300 grain Barnes TSX were recovered from Cape buffalo, hippo and giraffe. I did fire some 450 grain solids this year and last but have never recovered one yet.

I can vouch for the fact that the aforementioned were very effective!

 

[Heym SR20]

I truly love the .458s. There is a definite difference between the 458 Win Mag and the 458 Lott. I have had many people shoot my 8.5lb 458 Win Mag, no one has refused a second go. With the scoped 458 Lott that weighs 11lbs it is fairly common for people to say no when offered another few shots. 500 grain full house factory loads are quite snappy! I think for many people there is a line in recoil that is crossed between these two cartridges. Saying that when using it in the field the recoil becomes a non- event and I invariably see my strikes. Off the bench both the Win Mag and the Lott are unpleasant, from prone they are painful!
Here are some recovered bullets from my recent trip. The bullets (450grain Barnes TSX) and 300 grain Barnes TSX were recovered from Cape buffalo, hippo and giraffe. I did fire some 450 grain solids this year and last but have never recovered one yet.

Recoil - therein lies the reason many PHs much prefer clients who use 375 etc which have quite a bit less recoil. This means that they will have practiced and are able to shoot the rifle well and accurately and make that first shot count. Lets face it, many who go on Safari are not in the first flush of youth - most will not have the funds available until they have been around for many decades, kids are off the payroll etc. And as you get older you simply do not have the strength that you do as a youngster.

PHs who carry and use the big stopping rifles are generally still younger and much stronger, and spend their life walking and running in the bush. And their job is to protect their clients when it all goes wrong.

 

[Rob79]

I would highly reccomend Mike Rainback & Son, Dorset, lots of experience with big game calibers and custom adjustments https://marainbackltd.co.uk/

 

[john.d.m]

Why?
The 458 WM does everything it says on the box.
You can get the ammunition everywhere.
I used whatever rounds I could get cheap, usually Winchester 500gr solids.
Took someone to Zim years ago, and he was using a plastic 458Lott, 2 shots and he was struggling.
plastic rifles should be banned wood and blue is the way to go.
If the choice is personal preference, no problem, but don`t let yourself be sucked into hype and opinions.

 

[Selous]

Why?
The 458 WM does everything it says on the box.
You can get the ammunition everywhere.
I used whatever rounds I could get cheap, usually Winchester 500gr solids.
Took someone to Zim years ago, and he was using a plastic 458Lott, 2 shots and he was struggling.
plastic rifles should be banned wood and blue is the way to go.
If the choice is personal preference, no problem, but don`t let yourself be sucked into hype and opinions.

One reason why is if you have a 458 Lott you can use 458 Win Mag ammo if that is all you have whilst if you have a 458 Win mag and the only spare rounds your PH can rustle up is some 458 Lott ammo he had spare you are out of luck. There aren’t many disadvantages to having a Lott chamber.