It is so big-boringly easy to beat the .458 Lott with a .458 WM+ at less than 3.6" COL, that I feel a bit jaded by it all. Sir Jerry aka gunner500 hit on the 500-grain TB Sledgehammer Solid at +2350 fps from his 24"-barreled .458 WM+ on his first time out with the new rifle. He also has 450-gr TSX loads at +2400 fps and is contemplating trying for +2450 fps, not necessary, but very possible. AA-2460 was the powder.
What we need for continued interest is to replicate the Bagwell and Selous loads with grease-grooved and paper-patched bullets and BP fired from the mighty .458 WM+. I am working on it.
However, I won't get too big-bored along the way. I still need to beat Sir Jerry to 2450 fps with the 450-gr TSX in a 24" barrel with AA-2230 or other powder and less than 3.6" COL. I have had the 450-gr TSX past 2450 fps with 3.675" COL and a 25" barrel, using AA-2230, but that was cheating, taking unfair advantage of the over-governed SAAMI .458 Lott's limitations.
Hardly a dull moment for sure, with so many other loads from 250-grainer to 600-grainer to be tried with smokeless and jacketed, monometal, cast lead, and snake shot capsules ! The SAAMI-chambered .458 Winchester Magnum has got to be the most versatile and useful cartridge ever.
Great ideas Sir Ron! i need to find some AA-2230 for the 450gr TSX's, i also happen to have a wonderful Paul Jones mould, it throws a 570gr AA Smerker grease groove bullet of 570 grains with 20/1 alloy, it the most accurate bullet i've ever fired from my 18 twist Shiloh 45-70, i should cast you some up, lubra-size em to 458" with Bills Black Majik lube and send em on up.
