Looking at a 458 Lott

[B.Shannon]

I've been eyeing a 375 H&H CZ 550 with Euro stock at Bud's for awhile, but now have ran across a local fellow with a CZ550 in the 458 Lott with the American stock. I've been wanting a all around rifle for here in the States, and for Africa. The Lott is at a really good price, less than $700.00, less then 50 rounds fired, all at the range. The stock I would say is at 95% or better.

My question is; Would a .458 be over kill for deer, boar, and like sized animals? Should I jump on it just for the deal and save it for my safari? My first hunt I'm not planning on any of the Big 5. Or would this even be over kill for the plains game over there?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[matt85]

$700 is a dang good deal assuming nothings seriously wrong with it!

too much for deer... maybe, do you hand load? you can always load it to 45-70 levels which will make it a fine deer thumper. i personall think the 458 Lott is an outstanding cartridge.

if you decide you dont want it then please PM the guys contact info. i could always use a 458 Lott at that price.

note: CZ 550's in 458 Lott are notorious for having feed issues. these can be fixed by either returning it to CZ for work OR sending it to AHR for their work package.

-matt

 

[B.Shannon]

I just started loading this past year. If I decide to pass, I'll be sure to let you know.

 

[matt85]

its a very easy and "inexpensive" cartridge to load for since the .458" bullet is so common. the CZ 550 can be made to be an outstanding rifle but usually requires a little work in my experience.

just remember anythin worth killing is worth overkilling.

-matt

 

[B.Shannon]

Good advice. We have a pretty good smith a few towns over, I can have him fine tune it I'm sure.

 

[ActionBob]

A 375 will give way better ballistics and be much more appropriate for a all around capable of anything cartridge... But you can't beat that price with a stick!

If you don't take it, by all means pass it on to Matt. He desperately needs it! And if Matt would pass for some reason, I'll take it!

However if it fits in your budget to acquire both, you will never be sorry for buying it at that price! And you can easily get your money back... You could buy it and try it... If you don't like it, re-sell it.

 

[B.Shannon]

I had never really considered the Lott, but like you said at that price it's kind of hard to pass up.

 

[matt85]

in my first post i got excited seeing the price but ive put some thought into it on your behalf. im a big bore junky and i thrive on heavy recoiling guns that send massive projectiles down range. im guilty of forgetting that other people do not always like heavy recoil.

for deer and plains game the 458 Lott is not a great choice. in its standard load the 458 Lott fires a 500gr .458" bullet at 2300fps which is an absolute hammer on large and dangerous game but its serious over kill on lighter animals. now you can download the 458 Lott very easily and use lighter bullets to make it more useful on medium game but that's not the cartridges main purpose. the recoil on the 458 Lott is also stout and can be overwhelming for someone not used to large bore guns which is likely why the gun is being sold at such a low price.

i still think you should buy the gun because its a decent rifle chambered in a great cartridge at a killer price. however i dont want you buying into it with the wrong idea of what its good for. if you dont ever intend to hunt large and/or dangerous game then you wont ever have an honest use for the rifle. unless... you like recoil, i love heavy recoiling guns and thoroughly enjoy shooting big bore guns at the range when ever i get the chance.

if you buy the gun i will happily help you with proper shooting technique. large bore guns are much less forgiving when it comes to poor shooting technique then small bore guns.

-matt

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I've been eyeing a 375 H&H CZ 550 with Euro stock at Bud's for awhile, but now have ran across a local fellow with a CZ550 in the 458 Lott with the American stock. I've been wanting a all around rifle for here in the States, and for Africa. The Lott is at a really good price, less than $700.00, less then 50 rounds fired, all at the range. The stock I would say is at 95% or better.

My question is; Would a .458 be over kill for deer, boar, and like sized animals? Should I jump on it just for the deal and save it for my safari? My first hunt I'm not planning on any of the Big 5. Or would this even be over kill for the plains game over there?

Any help would be appreciated.

Sounds like this would be a face to face transaction. If so, I would see if the guy will go out to the range to show you it will feed and extract properly. If he's unwilling to then I'd say he's hiding something and walk away. If he is and there's a problem, then use that as a bargaining chip. If it all works well, BUY it before he has second thoughts! You'll not find a better buy than that if it functions properly.

 

[B.Shannon]

I saw the gun and got excited over the price and the caliber. But now after sleeping on it, reading your posts, and with a quick trip to Chuck Hawks recoil chart, I think I'm gonna have to pass this deal on to Matt. No matter how much I'd like to dream of taking down an elephant, if I'm honest with myself, my budget will only allow for plains game.

I believe ActionBob has a good point on the all around cartridge, and for a few hundred more I might as well get something I can use. Thanks for the advice, I can read all day on a something, but in the end I prefer to hear it from someone who has used it! PM was sent to you Matt, enjoy your new rifle.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I looked at the question about deer and boar hunting with the Lott.

My first reaction was; how many do you want to take down with each shot?
A little much really.
As Bob said the 375 is a much better all rounder.
I use mine for deer and am nervous enough with it.

 

[CAustin]

I'm proud of my new 458 Lott but as I have mentioned and as Bob has pointed out it kicks like a Missouri Mule. It would be great on Giraffe, Eland, Cape Buffalo and lion IMO. At $700 your passing up the rifle that could be your dangerous game rifle of the future. Mine is the backup to my 416 Ruger on an elephant hunt but I will take another Cape Buffalo someday and it will be with my Lott. I hope to hunt Brown Bear in Alaska one day and I think the Lott will be perfect for that job!

Matt if you get the rifle one of your famous full range reports will be in order sir!