Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Anyone with a #1 in 458 winmag or 458 Lott

Do you even shoot it? I read an article where the 458 winmag can be downloaded to stron 45-70 levels, but the 458 Lott just seems overwhelmingly powerful. Just curious if anyone has one of these heavy boomers and if so, if it gets shot.

I've been eyeing the stainless 45-70 as a match for my stainless 300wm. The 45-70 is the most practical choice, but that 458wm keeps itching me. Doesn't look like it comes in stainless though.

I can see the temptation. Have run across a couple of good, lightly used .458 Win Number One rifles over the years. Heavier than the .45/70 - which is probably a good thing.

Why not?? Here is an interesting parallel. Back in da olden daze,there was the 45/70,the 45/100(2.6" case) and the 45/110(2 7/8" case). Today there is the *GASP* 45/70,the 458 Winchester Mag (2.6" case) and the 458 Lott (2.8" case). Their past and current usages actually are in the same line. The "Great Leap Forward"!!!

My brother has a .458 #1, which my Dad bought ~30 years ago. It is pretty stout with full power 500gr loads, but fairly tolerable when you load it down some with 400's or lighter bullets. There seems to be some variation in barrel weight among #1H's, so I think some weigh more than others. The .45-70 is lighter, and is a better hunting rifle, IMO, even if you load warmish loads.

I'm semi-interested in a .450 Nitro Bodington, as they also seem to be a lighter barrel than typical .458's or .416 Rigbys. It shouldn't be a big trick to load it down to warm .45-70 levels - or load it up to what your shoulder can stand...

I had a SS/Lam .458 Lott which I bought so I could watch other people shoot. I shot about 10 rounds through it, and that was enough for me. All three of my sons shot it, and a couple of their friends.

I sold it to a guy in Michigan.

I then bought a .458 Win Mag, blue/walnut and it was a beautiful rifle. Shot about 20 rounds through it and found it vastly more comfortable to shoot.

Both had BBl's that looked like fence posts. Vastly more bbl heavy than any .45-70 Govt. Medium sporter. No comparison.

I've never shot a #1 in 458 win mag or lott, but was foolish enough to have two 458 lott bolt guns.

My advice would be, get the 458 if it's a steal, and load 350 gr hornady or speer bullets over ~76 gr of RL7 for ~2400 fps. Recoil is on par with a 375 H&H and that load will take any NA game, handily. I can shoot two boxes of those rounds in a range session, no problem. With full patch 500 gr loads, 10 rds was enough.

I have a #1 Tropical that I bought used for $500. It looks like it was a guide gun, some muzzle wear and a perfect bore, nice wood. First thing I did was buy 150 new Winchester brass and 20 Norma brass. I load up all kinds of levels and even carry it deer hunting on occasion. I shot a nice little spike buck the first year I had it. Nice 1/2" hole through the rib cage.

One of my favorite full loads is a Hornady 500g jacketed soft point over a compressed charge of H4895. It will hit you good, but is tolerable, but most people decline the offer to shoot it.

I hope to one day have the money to go shoot a cape buffalo with it. If not, I've still had a lot of fun poking holes in old pressure tanks. I'll never part with it.

All the time actually. I have had 3 458 Lotts and 2 458 Win mags all together. All Ruger #1's.

My latest load is with my 458 Lott. 350 Barnes TTSX at 2800 fps. Like a 30-06 in trajectory. Carried that one on an elk hunt.
Versatile huh?

Have mercy..........

Most versatile, 350 Barnes at 2800 fps is some flat shooting scunion! I have recently acquired a 416 Rigby with the hopes of running a 300 grain Barnes at 2700 if possible. The intent is to put a kodiak brown bear down with a single shot. How did you come out with the Elk and that rifle/load combo?

If anyone wants to try them,I have some 600 gain Barnes.
My doctor made me quit shootin' them,because my heart stent was moving around..600 grs at 1900fps!
they will smoke a cinder block!

Now that is something I would like to see video of.