458 Lott Ballistics

The Lott has a larger case than the WM. All things being equal, it will give 50to 70 fps more than the .458WM. Stories about 200 fps faster are a myth. Maximum velocities in each require compressed loads (see Barnes Reloading Manual #4).

High pressure in the .458 or in the Lott is a myth with modern powders. It stems in part from the temperature sensitivity of obsolete cordite powder 100 years ago and in part from some problems that Winchester had with WW748 ball powder in the 1950s.

It is simple to get 2200 fps with a 500 grain Barnes banded solid in the .458 WM but WW 748 is not a very good powder for attempting this. Winchester uses WW748 because they make it and they're too cheap to buy some good powder. That's why their velocities are lower.
 
Hello Ray

I just recently started reloading 458 Lott and I am using Hornady DGX 500 gr , 350 gr interlock FP. I tried a few of their recommended loads and was not to impressed with what I got compared to the factory stuff they sell.
When surfing the net and in the cartridges of the world reloading book along with Hog tech service , Jack Lott himself all indicate 500 gr bullet with 75-85 max gr of IMR 4320. Hornady for some reason recommends a Max of 77 gr IMR 4320 with DGX / DGS ??? with real poor velocity ratings as expected.
Have you ever shot the DGX / DGS rounds with IMR 4320 before and if so how did it work pressure wise ?
When I asked Hornady about this they just said that they used a Ruger 1-10 twist 24" and that's all they could get out of 4320. I also noticed all their recommended loads are are lower velocity then what they sell pre made. They won't give up their secrets either I tried already. They use 77 gr of something they won't share ?

Can the 500 gr hornady rounds be so different then others that IMR 4320 at 85gr is not an option because of their reload data or did they just have a bad shooting day at Hornady ?
 
Given the choice, I'd take the Lott over the WM in a heartbeat. Why? Same (if not better) ballistics at lower pressure. However, that said, if a good 458 Win Mag were to come around, I'd not hesitate to jump on board. Either is good, it's just that one happens to be better. :)
 
Hornady for some reason recommends a Max of 77 gr IMR 4320 with DGX / DGS ??? with real poor velocity ratings as expected.

Likely because even back in 2012 when this was written Hornady realized DGX/DGS were junk and wouldn't hold together, especially at higher velocities.
 
One disctinct advantage of the Lott, over the Win Mag, is its ability to better accommodate long, mono-metal bullets. This is the only issue I have with my 416 Ruger, its lesser capacity to accommodate mono-metal bullets (of standard weight).

I fully anticipate that it will one day become mandatory, by the way (mono-metal (non lead) bullets, as is already the case in some locales). The good part? The performance of such, is such that standard weights (which go all the way back to cup and core at its earliest) aren't necessarily a necessity.
 
Hello friends again I am here and now with Tapatalk I will spend more often on the forum.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
59,434
Messages
1,289,475
Members
107,850
Latest member
Frederic21
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

Currently doing a load development on a .404 Jeffrey... it's always surprising to load .423 caliber bullets into a .404 caliber rifle. But we love it when we get 400 Gr North Fork SS bullets to 2300 FPS, those should hammer down on buffalo. Next up are the Cutting Edge solids and then Raptors... load 200 rounds of ammo for the customer and on to the next gun!
To much to political shit, to little Africa :-)
Spending a few years hunting out west then back to Africa!
mebawana wrote on MB_GP42's profile.
Hello. If you haven't already sold this rifle then I will purchase. Please advise. Thank you.
jbirdwell wrote on uplander01's profile.
I doubt you are interested in any trades but I was getting ready to list a Sauer 404 3 barrel set in the 10-12 price range if your interested. It has the 404J, 30-06 and 6.5 Creedmoor barrel. Only the 30-06 had been shot and it has 7 rounds through it as I was working on breaking the barrel in. It also has both the synthetic thumbhole stock and somewhere between grade 3-5 non thumbhole stock

Jaye Birdwell
 
Top