458 Lott as general purpose rifle... - 02/25/08
Hey All,
I just bought a Ruger #1 Tropical in 458 Lott to use as my general purpose rifle. Here's a little background first...
I have never had to shoot at any medium-large critter further than 100yds before (so far, the furthest shot has been about 75 yards away while totin' a levergun), so I have been content with my bows and leverguns.
I wanted a rifle that I could put a low power scope (fixed 4X or a 2.5-8X) onto that would stretch my range a bit if I ever went to a location where I needed it, ie: western Elk/Mule/Antelope Deer etc... (@ 300yds is my personal max, I know others can shoot further, but for anything with fur, I'm sticking to this limitation for myself). I was really interested in a 35 Whelen, but I got to thinking (Which is a dangerous thing to do in my house if a fire extinguisher isn't nearby)... How 'bout pushing a 350gr. .458 caliber pill with a MV of about 2500fps so it has @ 1500fps and about a 20" drop at 300yds when sighted in for 150yds. Like a long distance black powder loading or heavy handgun cartridge, it has the weight for penetration and a larger frontal diameter when compared to the Whelen. When compared to what most of us would consider a traditonal Lott loading, this load would be considered a light plinking load without even coming close to max pressures and it would have darn near the exact trajectory curve of the Whelen (The Whelen would have slightly flatter trajectory (@ 18" drop at 300, but it's close).
I could also load the Ruger up with heavy cartridge for camp protection if camped in the far north. Right now, I plan on installing a NECG peep and scout style/handgun scope on a custom base with QD rings. Thinking about an MPI stock too, but the laminated looks like it will be okay for now.
SO what do you think....I know it's waaaay bigger than anyone NEEDS, but I have an affliction for Big Bores and Leverguns (the No.1 has a little lever on it), plus it gives me a little versatility when you consider I can shoot 458WM's in a pinch. Am I nuts or just crazy. At the very least...it should be FUN !!!
I just bought a Ruger #1 Tropical in 458 Lott to use as my general purpose rifle. Here's a little background first...
I have never had to shoot at any medium-large critter further than 100yds before (so far, the furthest shot has been about 75 yards away while totin' a levergun), so I have been content with my bows and leverguns.
I wanted a rifle that I could put a low power scope (fixed 4X or a 2.5-8X) onto that would stretch my range a bit if I ever went to a location where I needed it, ie: western Elk/Mule/Antelope Deer etc... (@ 300yds is my personal max, I know others can shoot further, but for anything with fur, I'm sticking to this limitation for myself). I was really interested in a 35 Whelen, but I got to thinking (Which is a dangerous thing to do in my house if a fire extinguisher isn't nearby)... How 'bout pushing a 350gr. .458 caliber pill with a MV of about 2500fps so it has @ 1500fps and about a 20" drop at 300yds when sighted in for 150yds. Like a long distance black powder loading or heavy handgun cartridge, it has the weight for penetration and a larger frontal diameter when compared to the Whelen. When compared to what most of us would consider a traditonal Lott loading, this load would be considered a light plinking load without even coming close to max pressures and it would have darn near the exact trajectory curve of the Whelen (The Whelen would have slightly flatter trajectory (@ 18" drop at 300, but it's close).
I could also load the Ruger up with heavy cartridge for camp protection if camped in the far north. Right now, I plan on installing a NECG peep and scout style/handgun scope on a custom base with QD rings. Thinking about an MPI stock too, but the laminated looks like it will be okay for now.
SO what do you think....I know it's waaaay bigger than anyone NEEDS, but I have an affliction for Big Bores and Leverguns (the No.1 has a little lever on it), plus it gives me a little versatility when you consider I can shoot 458WM's in a pinch. Am I nuts or just crazy. At the very least...it should be FUN !!!