A new (gifted) 458

[James Wendlandt]

I just inherited from a good friend whose dad passed away, a 458 Lott. My friend swears it is a Lott, but on the side of the barrel it says 458 win. On the other side of the barrel it has a name of Dale Layne ( I assume that as the gunsmith). On top of the receiver it says Winchester and US Model of 1917 w/a serial number of 359xx. The action cocks on the downstroke and is fairly difficult to close the action.

Can anyone give some help, a gunsmith in Texas to take it to check out? I have no idea if it is a Win or a Lott.

Thank you for any help

JCW

 

[1dirthawker]

james,

not trying to be a smart ass but... put a 458 lott shell in it and see if the bolt closes. if not, well, then it is not a 458 lott. 458 win should fit in both.

 

[BRICKBURN]

458 Lott, 375 H&H, 458 Win

If you have a Lott cartridge it would not take much to figure it out.

 

[Moosemind]

Whoever made the rifle chambered it in 458 Win Mag. If someone lengthened it thereafter they should have marked it. Maybe on the barrel under the stock. If you don't want to buy any 458 Lott ammo buy a snap cap to see if it fits.

 

[BRICKBURN]

........ If you don't want to buy any 458 Lott ammo buy a snap cap to see if it fits.

Good alternative.

 

[James Wendlandt]

I didn't think you were being a smart ass because I had thought of that. I don't have any 458 Lotts or Win cases to try. Not sure what a snap cap is, but I will do some research.

Thank you for your help

 

[BRICKBURN]

 

[tarbe]

What part of Texas are you in James?

Maybe we have a member close by you with ammo...

 

[Ray B]

It's an Enfield pattern rebarrelled to 458 Win that may have had a Lott reamer run into it. It would still work for 458 Win. There are cocking kits available to convert it to cock-on-open which will make closing the bolt easier.

 

[matt85]

What part of Texas are you in James?

Maybe we have a member close by you with ammo...

this! we have plenty of members in TX, im betting someones got a 458 Lott cartridge layen around and would let you test free of charge.

-matt

 

[dchamp]

You have probably already checked but the friend whose dad passed, might he not have some .458 Lott lying around?

 

[1dirthawker]

@BRICKBURN,

brick, you amaze me on how you find stuff and post it so quick!!

 

[BeeMaa]

It would probably be a good idea to have the rifle taken to a proper gunsmith and given a once over.
Gunsmith should have a go/no-go gauge for headspacing a 458 WM and Lott to check the caliber and also verify headspace.
I'm not a fan of going to the range with a used rifle that I have no history of.
Improper headspace on a rifle can result in YOU ending up with improper headspace.
Wouldn't want that.

 

[bruce moulds]

do they not both headspace on the belt?
i.e. the same headspace.
would the mag length offer a hint?
if 30/06 length, probability would be 458 win.
gun still could have been rechambered but the mag not lengthened, but at least 458 win would be safe.
cerrosafe is your friend, available from brownells.
failing that candle wax will give a good enough cast to tell what you want to know.
lightly oil the chamber first.
bruce.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Order some cerasafe from midway and slug your chamber! With it and a caliper you will determine your chamber dimensions

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

It would probably be a good idea to have the rifle taken to a proper gunsmith and given a once over.
Gunsmith should have a go/no-go gauge for headspacing a 458 WM and Lott to check the caliber and also verify headspace.
I'm not a fan of going to the range with a used rifle that I have no history of.
Improper headspace on a rifle can result in YOU ending up with improper headspace.
Wouldn't want that.

@James Wendlandt, I think is very sound advice. You inherited the rifle, find a good gunsmith and pay the man to give it a proper once over. Very small price to pay to be certain of what you have and that it is safe to shoot.

 

[BRICKBURN]

@BRICKBURN,

brick, you amaze me on how you find stuff and post it so quick!!

It's all in the fingers.

 

[Eric Anderson]

It's an Enfield pattern rebarrelled to 458 Win that may have had a Lott reamer run into it. It would still work for 458 Win. There are cocking kits available to convert it to cock-on-open which will make closing the bolt easier.

Be advised though, that the cock on closing is considered to be that type of actions greatest pro’s

Granted you aren’t likely to be dragging you rifle through a quarter mile of muck as you lowcrawl through no mans land.
Mauser type actions requires you to cock and extract at the same time. I have had to use a rubber mallet to open up a cock on opening action before. Faulty ammunition combined with some grit in the chamber.
I have never had that issue with a cock on closing action.

 

[IvW]

Be advised though, that the cock on closing is considered to be that type of actions greatest pro’s

Granted you aren’t likely to be dragging you rifle through a quarter mile of muck as you lowcrawl through no mans land.
Mauser type actions requires you to cock and extract at the same time. I have had to use a rubber mallet to open up a cock on opening action before. Faulty ammunition combined with some grit in the chamber.
I have never had that issue with a cock on closing action.

Cock on closing or opening would make no difference when faulty ammunition is used in a rifle that has grit in the chamber. Any action type may have issues under those conditions...doubles and singles included.

Personal choice I prefer cock on opening, you don't feel any difference whereas cock on closing makes it harder to chamber a round...

 

[IvW]

It could be a lot of things, have the chamber cast done and make sure what you actually have, especially if the "modifications" where not stamped on the barrel....