.458 Lott - Talk Me Out of It!!

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Mike1234567

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I've been researching bigger bore rifles for some time now. I bought a .458 SOCOM already. Now I want something capable of even more umph.

The .458 Lott is very intriguing to me because it can be downloaded to less than 45/70 pressures. I've seen velocities in the 700fps range with 500gr bullets using bulky slow-burning powders. And, of course, it can be uploaded to absolutely devastating power as well. I am a bit concerned about heavy (long) bullet stability at subsonic speeds though. I'd rather not be forced into having a pricey custom barrel made.

The 45/70 with it's standard pressure loads apparently has more penetration than the .458 Lott with its standard pressure loads so the 45/70 is actually enough gun. I just want a little more versatility... greater range. In other words, I like OPTIONS.

I don't expect to be hunting dangerous game... self defense against something maybe. I don't expect to be shooting long range... but I might. Again, this is about options. Hey, why not?:evil:

So.... talk me out of getting a .458 Lott!!

~ Posted on TFL also. ~
 
Get one. In case you were unaware you can also shoot .458 win mag in your Lott, for extra versatility.

If you're not hunting dangerous game, the Lott will be pretty much a "fun gun" and there's nothing wrong with that. I want one. :)

Where do you get your info that standard .45/70 loads penetrate more than standard .458 Lott loads? :confused:
 
The 45/70 with it's standard pressure loads apparently has more penetration than the .458 Lott with its standard pressure loads so the 45/70 is actually enough gun. I just want a little more versatility...
Click to expand...

If and only if you are comparing a flat nosed solid in the .45-70 to a soft point expander in the .458 Lott. Careful of what ole Randy Garret is putting out there his "tests" are highly biased.

Now as far as wanting a big bore blaster. The .458 Lott is by far and away the most economical way to get your recoil fix on. I've owned four or five of them over the years. They are fun and you can sure as heck load them down for managed recoil. If a guys wants a for fun big bore DG rifle to play with the .458 Lott makes tons of sense.

What makes the .458 Lott or any .458 big bore economical is the vast array of bullets available for it and the brass is relatively cheap compared to other big DG rounds. My favorite load for anything in a .458 Lott is a 500 gr bullet @ a nominal 2150 FPS. I find no reason to max the Lott out as that load duplicates the old NE rounds and kills with authority and is very controlable to shoot in a properly weighted and fit rifle. From that loading I've shot a cape buffalo in the hindquarter with a 500 gr Woodleigh round nosed solid the bullet smashed the femoral head went through the paunch, the diaphragm, punched the lungs and heart, busted through the breast bone and was just sticking out of the thick skin in his lower neck when I found it. That is full lengthwise cape buffalo penetration after smashing thick bone on two ends. I'm not sure how much more power and penetration a guy needs?:)

Oh yeah I was supposed to talk you out of it...Don't buy one because as soon as you do you'll find yourself saving every extra penny to do an African DG hunt and once you do one of those you are hooked for life. Save yourself the trouble go buy a Daisy BB gun instead.
 
Yeah good point. BUT if you own and shoot a big bore you have to reload by financial necessity. With time that will knock your costs down significantly.
 
1KPerDay... I can't remember where I got my penetration comparison data but some of it surely came from THR and TFL. I can say that the consensus seems to be that the very high velocity bullets penetrate less then those traveling at less than 1600fps. There's a breaking point at which this reverses, of course. Basically, for penetration, from most of what I've read, deepest penetration seems to happen between 1200fps and 1600fps using solids.

H&Hhunter... Yes, this is for fun... mostly. I'll never have the inclination... nor the money... to go on an African big game hunt. I don't have a BB gun but I do have a .22 caliber pellet gun.:D

303tom... Yeah, cost is a big factor for me too. This is why I'm getting into reloading... so I can actually afford to shoot the bigger calibers.
 
LOL, Talk you out of a .458? Now why would we go and do a damn fool thing like that?

Dont forget you can shoot .458WMs from your Lott, might be easier to download the shorter case. You might be capable of going even shorter like the .458 1-1/2 or 2"....dunno bout that tho.
 
Get it. Don't hesitate. It uses the same bullets as your SOCOM. 5744 and Trail Boss make mouse fart loads possible. Many guys use cast lead boolits for fun loads. The Barnes 300gr TTSX (tac-x) can be pushed to stupid velocity in the Lott. A word of advice: Work your way up to full elephant stomping loads. My intro to Big Bores was firing 510gr JSP @ 2040 out of my 8.5# Mark X. "WOW!" Was my first thought. The second was "I can't wait to touch off another round."

What rifles are you considering?
 
I haven't really given any thought to a particular rifle. I tend to choose caliber first then look for the rifle.
 
I bought a .458 Win Mag not long ago, and I am having a blast with it. I load it to three power levels. Lots of fun. The Lott could only be as good or better.

Go for it. :)
 
I bought a 45-70 leveration to satisify my big bore desire. Nothing wrong in owning a 458 Lott.
 
H&Hhunter said:
Yeah good point. BUT if you own and shoot a big bore you have to reload by financial necessity. With time that will knock your costs down significantly.
Click to expand...
Even reloading, cases are $3.00 a piece + primers, powder, & bullets you are still talking a $5.00 round..........
 
303tom said:
Even reloading, cases are $3.00 a piece + primers, powder, & bullets you are still talking a $5.00 round..........
Click to expand...
Wisconsin Cartridge Corp. makes a.458WM 405gr RNSP @ 2200fps for "only" 40.00/box.
Hunting Shack Munitions makes several .458WM loads for $40.00-50.00/box.
 
Hizzie said:
Wisconsin Cartridge Corp. makes a.458WM 405gr RNSP @ 2200fps for "only" 40.00/box.
Hunting Shack Munitions makes several .458WM loads for $40.00-50.00/box.
Click to expand...
If I am going to shoot .458 Win. Mag. I would not buy a .458 Lott.
 
303tom said:
If I am going to shoot .458 Win. Mag. I would not buy a .458 Lott.
Click to expand...
Whenever I buy a revolver I get the 357 Magnum version so I can still shoot 38 Specials out of it. The Lott is slightly more versatile than the WM. You can shoot both Lott and WM out of it and it can be loaded to higher velocity and use heavier bullets. Both can be downloaded to trapdoor 45/70 levels.
 
Speaking as one who occationally uses my .338win to shoot prairie dogs.....I honestly cannot come up with a good argument against buying a Lott for just plain fun.I don't purchase rifles based on need as much as on want. Buy it,and have fun with it.
 
Hizzie said:
Whenever I buy a revolver I get the 357 Magnum version so I can still shoot 38 Specials out of it. The Lott is slightly more versatile than the WM. You can shoot both Lott and WM out of it and it can be loaded to higher velocity and use heavier bullets. Both can be downloaded to trapdoor 45/70 levels.
Click to expand...
Yeh but even a box of .357 mag. don`t cost $40.00 bucks...........
 
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