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I have some cast bullet ammo ready for testing.

The bullets painted with blue are loaded with 80.0 grains of AA-2230, 20 rounds of the 411-grainer (AM 46-425PG)
The bullets painted with red are loaded over 81.0 grains of AA-2230, 15 rounds of the 411-grainer, and 15 rounds of the 401-grainer (AM 46-410M).





I forgot that I tested the 407-grainer (AM 46-410M) back in August 2021 with 80 grains of AA-2230.
5 shots averaged 2477 fps at 5 yards from the muzzle of a 24" Ruger No. 1 .458 WinMag.
The 100-yard target was marred by vertical stringing as the forearm hanger screw had become bent and stripped.
See pages 48-49 of this thread:



I was so dashed by it all that I suppressed the memory.
I fixed the Ruger No. 1, and now check the screw after every 20 rounds.
44 rounds were fired on the day when the screw stripped and bent.

No need to do it all again with a "ladder" of powder charges.
I just need a stepstool of one more grain of powder increase.
And I will use a 25" Shilen barrel this time,
going for +2500 fps MV with accuracy.
Soon as I can get a day with no precipitation nor freezing temps at the outdoor range.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Outstanding

Mercy bo coop, Sir John of the Square Table.
I am going to have to get more organized.
Can't even remember what I have done in years past.
I hereby resolve, for 2023, to finish building that .500 Jeffery I started collecting parts for in 2003.
Twenty years is long enough in the wine cellar.
Also, to write a reloading manual for the .458 WinMag
for my own benefit if nothing else.
50 cast bullet shots coming up, 3 different loads.
No fouling issues expected using .461" hardcast/PCP/GC in .459" groove, 1:14" twist.
Shoots clean as a whistle.
Like paper-patched and duplexed BP with a grease cookie.
Shoot all day without wiping.
I will check action screws after 15 to 20 shots with each load.

From August 6, 2021:
5 shots chronographed (with 5-yard optical)
fired at 100-yard target when forearm screw was bent, stripped, loose,
accuracy problem was not just a problem with the nut behind the trigger.

407-grain cast bullet, 3.260" COL, Hornady brass, F215 primer,
24" Ruger No. 1, 85*F
80.0 grains of AA-2230
Instrumental velocities, fps:

1. 2477
2. 2491
3. 2461
4. 2468
5. 2489

mean = 2477.2 fps
Standard deviation = 13.0 fps
Extreme Spread = 30 fps

We shall do better on the accuracy with tight screws, and same nut behind the trigger.
Standard deviations of 15-shot and 20-shot samples will be interesting.
Better for zeroing the rifle also.

RIP
Put me down as a buyer for that loading manual!
I’m sure it will be a square deal.
F01

Ditto! Wish Sir Bob still had his manual in print, and I would get that one as well. Perhaps a combined printing? Shall we pass around the hat/offering plate to help get it done?

Put me down for a copy as well if it happens.

OK, for The Square Table Knights then, this will have to be done in two volumes.
First a compilation of load data, just to get it started.
Easy to get started on.
Second volume will be history, full of facts and Lottite fiction for the aficionados.

LkHntr, are you a Knight of The Square Table ?
State your chosen Sir name if so.
Long live the .458 Winchester Magnum.

This will be epic, the greatest work ever on the 458 Win mag

Look forward to your documentation !

A Very Merry Christmas to All of the Knights of the Square Table!!!

God Bless!

HS 58

Yes, Merry Christmas to you and yours kind gents!

. MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎅 🎄

Merry Christmas to all, even the .458 WinMag deniers may pick their gif below::

The hardcast statistical analyzer is coming:















If the 400-gr TSX Buffalo Bore at 2350 fps MV, impacting at 2105 fps, can do this to a deer,
I think 407-grain hardcast at 2500 fps MV should be interesting in the .458 WinMag.



That would be the 400-gr Woodleigh PPSN at +2600 fps with compressed H4895 of course.

Merry Christmas!

And Happy New Year !

Another great accuracy bullet in the .458 WinMag, from an Accurate Molds mould:



1400 fps imitates the trajectories of the Bison Hunter's Sharps and Selous's .461 Gibbs No. 2 in Africa.
2200 fps will flatten things a bit.

3.340" COL in the hardcast statistical analyzer:



COL up to 3.540" may be single loaded and ejected if not fired from the hardcast statistical analyzer:



3.5"-ish COL is nice for single-loading the 579-grain blue bullet in the hardcast statistical analyzer,
3.340" for magazine loading.

Can’t wait Sir. Mine is headed out on Jan 1 for nice doe. Went out yesterday and shot some pumpkins sitting in the pasture to assure my super cold weather function & zero. Sitting over sticks got my tail cold and damp but got 4 pumpkins killed. Good to go.
Best regards,
F01

Merry Christmas fellas!

Seasons greetings everyone.

RC - nice work on the deer and your continued work on the 458.

For those of you that aren’t yet on the 458WM bandwagon, Numrich have 98 Mauser prefit barrels chambered in 458WM for only $195!

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/2026860