POI differences 458 Lott different brands of ammo/advice for upcoming elephant & buffalo hunt

[RR 314]

Thanks, I’m probably being a little anal about the 1 1/2 POI variation at 50 yards in addition to not really wanting to use DGX bonded on buffalo as my first choice although I’m sure they’ll work just fine.

Altitude Sickness and Mark Biggerstaff were right, here’s listed factory muzzle velocities:

458 Lott Federal 500 grain Woodleigh Hydro Solid - 2300 FPS
458 Lott Federal 500 grain TBBC- 2300 FPS (on order)
458 Lott Barnes 500 grain TSX- 2200 FPS
458 Lott Hornady 500 grain DGX Bonded- 2300 FPS

So that 100 FPS accounted for a huge variance between the Barnes TSX and Woodleigh Hydro Solids, between 5-6 inches worth at 50 yards. I’ll report on the Federal 500 grain TBBC when they arrive, hopefully not too much variance,

Man, I get it. If my .30 and under don’t shoot 1/4 MOA I generally get rid of them. . I too feel much more comfortable knowing if I do my part I know exactly where by bullets will hit. I am free-willing in a lot of things in my life—just not when it comes to guns.

 

[BJH65]

Maybe it’s just me, and maybe it’s cause I’m strange (ask the wife), but if I’m hunting elephant, I’m hunting elephant. If I come across a killer buffalo while hunting elephant, he can consider it his lucky day and I’ll try to catch him later. This will probably keep me from killing a stud buff one day, but I want to give each animal his due. Silly, I know. I’ll shoot an impala or a warthog as an end to a day, but I’m hunting for good memories of a buffalo or elephant. Take that for what’s it’s worth, and also that I’m 3/4 through a killer martini made by my sweet wife and waiting on me in the freezer when I came home.

Haha, well I’ll cross that bridge if it happens! I’m restricted to a 36” buff and my PH says we’ll try to find a really old broken down bull. It’s been my experience (and worth 2 cents) that if you come across a really desirable trophy, you better take him right then and there, you might not get another chance!

 

[Ridge Runner]

I've been successful and like the performance of the DGS and DGX bullets in both my 375H&H and 458WM on my only 2 buffalo, and only 2 eland. Everything else fell to 30-06 using 168 gr SST or 22 Hornet using Hornady 55 gr FMJ-BT and SP bullets.

I've tried/tested various ammo from various manufacturers,.......and the second reason why I got into reloading ...., to much variation in POI out of the same box of shells.

Since you are using and buying factory ammo I would recommend you only getting and using ammo that POIs within 2" with the same POA. IMO, there isn't a need to carry multiple brands of softs and multiple brands of solids. You want to be confident and comfortable knowing that your bullet choices in loaded in your rifle while on the hunt will do the job, as long as you do yours. And not worry about what is in your pocket, ammo carry, back at the truck, or back at the lodge.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[festuscat]

Thanks for the feedback. I was shocked by the variation with the same bullet weights, 500 grains. The top round in the photo is the Barnes 500 grain TSX and bottom round in the bullseye is the 500 grain Woodleigh Hydro solid. Windage is good but not the elevation! Huge discrepancy for the same bullet weight. Shot at 50 yards.

View attachment 704499

I would check the velocity of the TSX vs the Hydro Solid.
Or drop the charge of the TSX down a grain at a time.
If you reload of course.

I was on the phone with Bill at Swift discussing the protocol of doing the same for the Aframe and BreakAway solid

 

[BJH65]

I would check the velocity of the TSX vs the Hydro Solid.
Or drop the charge of the TSX down a grain at a time.
If you reload of course.

I was on the phone with Bill at Swift discussing the protocol of doing the same for the Aframe and BreakAway solid

I did check the published listed muzzle velocity: the TSX is 2200 FPS, Federal Woodleigh Hydro Solids 2300 FPS and Hornady DGX bonded 2300 FPS. I don’t reload and rely on factory ammo or custom loaded ammo. Velocity has something to do with the disparity in POI about a 5-6 inch variation with the TSX and Woodleigh Hydro Solid and 1 1/2 inch variation between the DGX bonded and Woodleigh Hydro Solid, all at 50 yards.