458 Lott brass

[Hunter4752001]

Any feedback on which brands make brass for 458 Lott and how do the various brands compare for quality? The only ones I see currently advertised are Norma and Hornady. I have never used Hornady brass and have no idea on its quality.

For practice I'd be willing to use cases fire formed from 375 H&H, but I'd definitely prefer actual 458 Lott cases. Of course, for Africa it has to be 458 Lott head stamped cases.

 

[WAB]

.458 Lott is the only cartridge i shoot that I don’t load for. I shoot a lot of federal ammo. I assume they are making the brass as it has their headstamp.

 

[TOBY458]

Any feedback on which brands make brass for 458 Lott and how do the various brands compare for quality? The only ones I see currently advertised are Norma and Hornady. I have never used Hornady brass and have no idea on its quality.

For practice I'd be willing to use cases fire formed from 375 H&H, but I'd definitely prefer actual 458 Lott cases. Of course, for Africa it has to be 458 Lott head stamped cases.

Let us know if you find some of any brand. Not much out there right now.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Let us know if you find some of any brand. Not much out there right now.

+1. The “picking and choosing” of brass brands for reloading MANY cartridges is currently an exercise in futility for the foreseeable future. Same for much of factory ammo and specific brands of bullets. Buy what you can find and hopefully you don’t pay 3-4 times what it was just a year ago. Good luck!

 

[USMA84DAB]

Hunter -

I must concur with the above. The entire firearms world is stuck in "But this is not my favorite brass/bullet/powder/primer! I like the purple kind with sprinkles!"

Current reality is that one is fortunate to find anything that can be assembled into shootable ammo.

I had all of my pet loads worked out with RL15. Haven't seen any fo that in 18 months.

I scraped up $5,000 worth of powder for the gun show circuit. I barely sold any. Everyone thought "but that isn't my "precious" powder", or "I've never used Accurate/IMR/Hodgden/WIN powders", or I'll wait for the prices to come back down!" That was over 6 months ago, and there ain't any prices that have come down.

The current reality is SEMPER GUMBY - figure out how to use what you CAN find.

FWIW - I have been using Hornady for years - it completely meets the need for hunting ammo - I am not talking F Class and ELR stuff - MO and Africa 50 - 250 yard shots.

While in RSA, I bought a bag of Norma .458 Lott brass. Not because it was cheap - not because it was a match for the single box of Hornady brass I had back home - because it was available on the shelf and it wasn't to be found anywhere back here! So I made room weight wise to lug that bag back home!

Sorry for the cold water in the face, but I hope it helps you stay capable of shooting something.

 

[Luvthunt]

At one time you could buy Barnes,Bell,Asquare,Superior and those mentioned above. Should be lots of Lott brass around, ask on the classified if any for sale.

 

[Luvthunt]

Hornady brass is ok but I do anneal after every time shot to stretch life.

 

[Nhoro]

I am using Hornady brass in my Lott. I am happy with it.

 

[Hunter4752001]

In my country Hornady 458 Lott brass is being advertised at between $135 to $153 per 50, however no-one lists it as being in stock. Norma is advertised at between $249 to $359 per 50, with only 2 stores listing any stock. At those prices it'd be good to know how well the brass is likely to last.

 

[meigsbucks]

All I’ve used in the Lott is Hornady. It’s performed well.
As others have stated, beggars can’t be choosers. Get what you can, when you can.

 

[Ajax2003]

I am using Hornady brass in my Lott. I am happy with it.

Does anyone have an Idea about how many times 458 Lott can be reloaded if i don't load over the max powder charge. Just bought a beautiful Ruger M77 Magnum and 3 boxes of factory ammo. 2 Hornady 500 gr solid and 1 Barnes TSX-FB 500gr. Just wanted to cut back on $ if i can

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

Does anyone have an Idea about how many times 458 Lott can be reloaded if i don't load over the max powder charge.

I load mine until the primer pocket becomes loose. Maybe 5 to 10 times.

 

[TucsonFX4]

You just have to pay attention to your brass and rifle during the process. Signs of stress, fatigue, and loose primer pockets (as @Mark A Ouellette mentioned).
Different rifles, brass manufacturers, and reloading procedures will all affect how long brass will last.

 

[Arthur Morta]

I load mine until the primer pocket becomes loose. Maybe 5 to 10 times.

Hey Mark,
What bullet weight and velocities are you pushing by the time your primers are loose in the pockets?

 

[Ajax2003]

Hey Mark,
What bullet weight and velocities are you pushing by the time your primers are loose in the pockets?

I haven't started on loading yet. Just shot it a few times. I'm planning on cronographing the factory loads and coming as close as possible. 500gr solids 2300fps is claimed on the boxes

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

Ajax2003,

I clocked via a LadRadar Nosler factory 500 graing solids at 2150 fps. Their box listed velocity at 2300.

My 500 grain solid loads are at 2290 to 2300 fps.
I liked the Cutting Edge Bullet's 450 gr solid and 420 and 470 Safari Raptors better at;
450 CEB Solid - 2340 fps
470 CEB Raptor - 2340 to 2400 fps, depending on the load
420 CEB Raptor - 2370 fps

I look for the smallest Extreme Spread between the highest and lowest velocities.
I found the CEBs
470 gr Raptor - 2370 fps - 1.5" low at 100 yds
450 gr Solids - 2340 fps - on target at 100 yds
420 gr Raptors - 2370 - 1.5" high at 100 yds

I had some 500 gr Swift A-Frames pushed at 2290 fps that shot a 1" group at 100 yds

If I had only small amount of brass, I would reduce to 2200 fps for a 500 or 470 gr projectile. That would reduce pressure but still provide ammunition that would kill the largest animals, with proper shot placement. Remember, the .458 Winchester at 2150, along with the 450 Nitro in doubles, have proven adequate with good shot placement.

A chronograph is an essential piece of gear for the reloading enthusiast!

 

[michael458]

450 gr Solids - 2340 fps - on target at 100 yds
420 gr Raptors - 2370 - 1.5" high at 100 yds

You will never need for more than those two for anything that walks the planet earth...............

Unless, you want to add to your versatility with the 250 Socom Raptor....... But they probably will not be to the same POI as the 450/420s.... 450/420 for the heavies, 250 Socom Raptor for everything else that walks...........

Well Done.......You have chosen Wisely.............

 

[Ajax2003]

Ajax2003,

I clocked via a LadRadar Nosler factory 500 graing solids at 2150 fps. Their box listed velocity at 2300.

My 500 grain solid loads are at 2290 to 2300 fps.
I liked the Cutting Edge Bullet's 450 gr solid and 420 and 470 Safari Raptors better at;
450 CEB Solid - 2340 fps
470 CEB Raptor - 2340 to 2400 fps, depending on the load
420 CEB Raptor - 2370 fps

I look for the smallest Extreme Spread between the highest and lowest velocities.
I found the CEBs
470 gr Raptor - 2370 fps - 1.5" low at 100 yds
450 gr Solids - 2340 fps - on target at 100 yds
420 gr Raptors - 2370 - 1.5" high at 100 yds

I had some 500 gr Swift A-Frames pushed at 2290 fps that shot a 1" group at 100 yds

If I had only small amount of brass, I would reduce to 2200 fps for a 500 or 470 gr projectile. That would reduce pressure but still provide ammunition that would kill the largest animals, with proper shot placement. Remember, the .458 Winchester at 2150, along with the 450 Nitro in doubles, have proven adequate with good shot placement.

A chronograph is an essential piece of gear for the reloading enthusiast!

I bought 120 Barnes TSX-FB bullets so I'm trying to stick with one bullet and get a reasonable fps and be able to hit off shooting sticks up 100 yards if possible. Going to Africa in July and wanna be ready. I've loaded 100s of 375 Ruger and 300 wm. Just started on this 458 lott and trying to find a powder that won't be compressed with 500 hr Barnes

 

[Ajax2003]

Ajax2003,

I clocked via a LadRadar Nosler factory 500 graing solids at 2150 fps. Their box listed velocity at 2300.

My 500 grain solid loads are at 2290 to 2300 fps.
I liked the Cutting Edge Bullet's 450 gr solid and 420 and 470 Safari Raptors better at;
450 CEB Solid - 2340 fps
470 CEB Raptor - 2340 to 2400 fps, depending on the load
420 CEB Raptor - 2370 fps

I look for the smallest Extreme Spread between the highest and lowest velocities.
I found the CEBs
470 gr Raptor - 2370 fps - 1.5" low at 100 yds
450 gr Solids - 2340 fps - on target at 100 yds
420 gr Raptors - 2370 - 1.5" high at 100 yds

I had some 500 gr Swift A-Frames pushed at 2290 fps that shot a 1" group at 100 yds

If I had only small amount of brass, I would reduce to 2200 fps for a 500 or 470 gr projectile. That would reduce pressure but still provide ammunition that would kill the largest animals, with proper shot placement. Remember, the .458 Winchester at 2150, along with the 450 Nitro in doubles, have proven adequate with good shot placement.

A chronograph is an essential piece of gear for the reloading enthusiast!

Mark what powder do you use with 500gr solid

 

[Ajax2003]

I bought 120 Barnes TSX-FB bullets so I'm trying to stick with one bullet and get a reasonable fps and be able to hit off shooting sticks up 100 yards if possible. Going to Africa in July and wanna be ready. I've loaded 100s of 375 Ruger and 300 wm. Just started on this 458 lott and trying to find a powder that won't be compressed with 500 hr Barnes

First time I've used a roll crimp too and I'm wondering if I've crimped too hard causing pressure build up