Hello
Wondering if anyone has a powder recommendation for 458WM that more closely approximates the 45/70 for use on late season antlerless whitetails??
I have no experience with reloading the 458.
Thanks for any help
Bill
Ruger No. 1 if that matters.
I have had a No.1 in 458 for over 30 years and have shot mostly lighter loads with it. While I have shot 350 and 400 grain bullets, the 300 grain do just as well and with less recoil. The rifle will shoot about any reduced loads well and working up a load has been easy. Cases will last forever. With the 300 gr. bullets I have limited velocity to about 2000 fps max.as some of those bullets were pretty soft. I don't want to even think about what a deer would look like if you hit it with a 300 grainer at 2300 fps or more. It would be ugly at woods range.Resist the temptation to juice up the loads.
I took my first loads right out of Ken Waters' Pet Loads. Here you go:
300 gr.Sierra 50/IMR 4198 for 1863 ( I have shot this load a lot and it works really well out of my rifle.)
54 " " 2124
55 gr. Rel 7 2026
60 Gr. IMR 3031 for 1902
300 gr. Hornady HP 58 gr. RL7 for 2062
All those loads used the Win 120 primer. Sometimes a magnum primer will give more consistent accuracy. I would definitely use a magnum primer if you decide to use a ball powder. My loading notes from that era are long buried, but I do remember the concussion and the huge muzzle flash. ( A magnum primer solved the problem.) Also, it's worth noting that unlike a magazine rifle, with a No. 1 you won't have to crimp bullets heavily, although I found that at least a light crimp gave more consistent results. Like all straight cases, make sure to trim to a uniform length before crimping.
A number of reloading manuals list 45-70 loads in the Ruger No.1. This would be another source and I don't see any reason why these loads wouldn't work, but velocity will be a bit lower due to the larger case capacity of the 458. Proceed cautiously and use a chronograph.
Lead bullets are another option, but that's a whole other post. Good luck and let us know how things work out.
Seems to me just use 45/70 load data in it...it'll be lower pressure, so I don't see what would go wrong..
as long as you avoid slower powders in small charges....
444 Marlin load data would also be usable.
did some loads like that for an older guy about 10 plus years ago...he enjoyed them...
he has sadly since passed...he was in his early 80s at the time... just couldn't reload anymore..
Will H 4895 work? I use it in 270, 243, and 25-06’s for grandkids
No reason why it wouldn't .A lot of powders will work. But, that said, for reduced loads with an easy to ignite powder, spring for some 4198, either IMR of Hodgdon and keep you life simple.
Hey, I really want you to pursue this 458 with 45-70 equivalent loads thing.... not that it's any of my business. I have owned a couple of 45-70's....an early 1972 vintage Marlin 1895 and another Ruger No. 1. Both rifles shot well and I used them for several years very successfully, but came to the conclusion that getting kicked out from underneath my hat every time I pulled the trigger was losing its appeal. The heavier No.1 with 45-70 loads is a whole lot of fun to shoot and it's also easier to shoot accurately than the the lighter 45-70's. Actually, a LOT easier.
My rifle which is pretty much identical to yours, shoots like a damn match rifle with 300 grain bullets at 1900 to 2000 fps. Five shot groups right around and 1". There is something very satisfying and impressive in looking at that cluster of 45 caliber holes in a target.
Thanks much for the help.
This rifle was bequeathed to me from a dear friend, and i really appreciate the input.
For deer, I'd load the Barnes 250 TSX at about 2600. That's what I shoot in my Marlin 45/70. Excellent field results and extremely accurate. H4198 will get you there nicely. Or you could jump to the 300 grain, but really no need to.
Dial this up, click on rifle data and "pick any cartridge". Select .45-70 for the trapdoor and select all. Gives you about 65 loads to pick from....
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/