I recently picked up a 458 Winchester magnum (ruger M77 Mark I tang safety)and picked up some barnes 350gr tsx bullets for it. I looked through a few manuals am leaning towards H4198 or maybe even H Benchmark (I also have both of those on hand). Anyone have any min, max loads, and oal’s to get me in the ballpark? This will be my first time loading for a big bore rifle. Any info will be greatly appreciated.
A serious question deserves a serious answer.........
Drop about 3 grains and work up to these velocities taken in a 22 inch Model 70 barrel.
350gn Barnes TSX Bullet
75gn H 4198 = 2582fps with an OAL of 3.252"
80gn Varget = 2337fps with an OAL of 3.335"
78gn AA2230 = 2424fps with an OAL of 3.225"
76gn H322 = 2434fos with an OAL of 3.335" (Best group of .765")
A .458 Winchester is a great incinerator to use up spare powder on your shelf and just about anything from Rel 7 through the burning rates to about H4320 will work satisfactorily. Just remember that your shooting determines the maximum load for you, not the top velocity in a book, because if you are under Max velocity by even 100fps or more and you can shoot it well, that will still do all you ask of this bullet weight. And, there are a very small handful of animals in a mans life that this bullet would not be ideal for.
John
