Is the 458 popular because it is good, or because it is widely available? After all 30-30's are probably still the most popular deer rifles.
The .458 is reliable and affordable. Most PH's aren't rolling in the dough, so double rifles are pricey for most.
IF we looked at rifle sales over the passt 15 years, I doubt that the venerable 30-30 would be at the top of the sales list anymore. Who's buying lever action rifles for hunting these days? Not as popular as it once was.
