458 Win Mag. Short Barrel Chrono Results...

[TOBY458]

I recently cut the barrel down on my Winchester 70 458 WM to 21 1/4". I was looking to lighten up the rifle a bit, and to gain a little handiness in the process. I have always been curious as to how much velocity one could get with a short-ish barrel on a 458 Win Mag. I have also recently been intrigued by the Cutting Edge Bullets. The following results show what I have been able to achieve so far.

258 gr CEB Socom 2800 fps.
370 gr CEB LG Raptor 2380 fps.
420 gr CEB Raptor/450gr Solid 2200 fps.

These results are only slightly behind what you can achieve with a 24" barrel. By the accounts of people who have used these bullets, there is nothing you can't hunt with this line up. According to very reliable sources, the 450gr CEB solids will shoot through the biggest bull Elephant from most any angle. And the 258gr Socom and 370gr Raptor will fill in for smaller calibers with ease, out to most sane shooting ranges. So what more could you ask for? A short, handy rifle, with all the power and versatility needed for most hunting conditions.

 

[TOBY458]

Winchester 70 458 Win Mag in McMillan stock, 21 1/4" barrel and NEGC front sight, with XS rear Ghost Ring sight.

 

[Tanks]

Interesting that a .458 B&M with an 18" barrel gets almost the same stats with 258 gr. @ 2,850fps and 420/450 @ 2,250/2200 fps.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Those are pretty impressive velocities for the WM with the shorter barrel. I wouldn't have guessed it?

 

[CoElkHunter]

Winchester 70 458 Win Mag in McMillan stock, 21 1/4" barrel and NEGC front sight, with XS rear Ghost Ring sight.

I've got to get a front sight like that for my CZs!

 

[TOBY458]

Interesting that a .458 B&M with an 18" barrel gets almost the same stats with 258 gr. @ 2,850fps and 420/450 @ 2,250/2200 fps.

From what I can tell, the B&M advantage is getting similar ballistics to the 458 Win Mag with 4" less barrel length. I'm satisfied with 21 1/4", but I can see why someone would prefer an 18" barrel!

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Is that the Winchester Express from McMillan? I am thinking of having my 375 cut down to 21” or 22”. I like the proportions of your rifle.

 

[SAFARIKIDD]

Nice 458![emoji106]
I had both the 458 & 500 B&M's done up special for me by Mike(swell guy)
As far a velocity loss seems to really stir some folks up ...I have a 16" 458 listed for sale now...I dont mind some loss in trade for handiness..
I like the 21" length alot and agree with your decision-looks nice too!..your test results doesnt suprise me at all...Simple-the bigger the bore the less loss...my 16" 500 Jeff and 16" 600 both were VERY efficient with very little loss!

 

[TOBY458]

Is that the Winchester Express from McMillan? I am thinking of having my 375 cut down to 21” or 22”. I like the proportions of your rifle.

Yes. It's the Express. Hard to beat a Mcmillan!

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I’m going to have my 375 cut down and install a banded Necg front sight. I just have to decide on the barrel length and the type of rear sight. I already have the McMillan express.
Sorry for the de-rail.

 

[Royal27]

That's pretty impressive Toby!

 

[TOBY458]

Nice 458![emoji106]
I had both the 458 & 500 B&M's done up special for me by Mike(swell guy)
As far a velocity loss seems to really stir some folks up ...I have a 16" 458 listed for sale now...I dont mind some loss in trade for handiness..
I like the 21" length alot and agree with your decision-looks nice too!..your test results doesnt suprise me at all...Simple-the bigger the bore the less loss...my 16" 500 Jeff and 16" 600 both were VERY efficient with very little loss!

I bet that 16" 600 will light up your life! Haha! It's very interesting how much better a rifle can feel by simply taking a few inches off the barrel. But after all, the end of the barrel is where all the leverage is coming from that makes a rifle feel front heavy.

 

[michael458]

I am thinking of having my 375 cut down to 21” or 22”

Wyatt........ Its still going to be 3 7 5...... its not going to get bigger...... and its not going to get a damn bit better either.........

I’m going to have my 375 cut down and install a banded Necg front sight.

No No No No............ Wyatt, take that money you are getting ready to FLUSH, and buy a 458! Quit flushing money down the toilet on such a thing........... Sell it, invest in more caliber....

 

[Wyatt Smith]

But @michael458 its just my rabbit rifle.
I do have plans for a 458 someday

 

[michael458]

But @michael458 its just my rabbit rifle.
I do have plans for a 458 someday

Oh My Wyatt, it seems I have made horrible assumptions once again when that caliber is mentioned, my sincere apologies young man, that thing should make a fine rabbit slayer, but be sure and use proper bullet tech, and super premium bullets. In the case of those wraskly Wabbits, you may want to still get rid of that thing, I hear 22LR has proven itself over the years on Wabbits..... best not to take too many chances.........

 

[CoElkHunter]

But @michael458 its just my rabbit rifle.
I do have plans for a 458 someday

Wyatt,

You COULD use the .375 for whitetail. Elmer Keith said so many years ago. Use a good bullet like a Swift A Frame, Cutting Edge Raptor or Woodleigh Hydro in your .243 for rabbits?
CEH

 

[AZDAVE]

@TOBY458 Nice looking rifle and it will be very handy in the bush and will allow you to hunt most anything you want.

 

[TOBY458]

@TOBY458 Nice looking rifle and it will be very handy in the bush and will allow you to hunt most anything you want.

And that way I can leave that pretty new Kimber 458 in the safe! Lol!

 

[michael458]

And that way I can leave that pretty new Kimber 458 in the safe! Lol!

We could start chopping that barrel off too?.........................Might could get to 20 inches on that one..........LOL

 

[TOBY458]

We could start chopping that barrel off too?.........................Might could get to 20 inches on that one..........LOL

Then we'd put the B&M guys out of business. Can't be doing that!