The “458 Winchester Magnum, all the cartridge you’ll ever need” thread

I just want to thank so many of you for your input in this thread. @Riflecrank, @Northern Shooter, @CZDiesel and so many more. I recently acquired my first 458 Win Mag in a Model 70 Super Express with a 22' barrel. Prior to this my Largest caliber shooting was handled by my 300 Weatherby Magnum, so this is a jump in size. I have only shot about 30 rounds as I start to sight it in and get used to it. It needs some modifications the trigger being the next thing I am doing as well as others. I do hand load but not the 458 yet as I am just accumulating brass to do so. This gun is being built specifically for my next trip to SA for a Cape Buffalo in 2026. so I have time to figure out what the gun as well as myself like to shoot. I have gained more information on this caliber reading this today than the last 3 months reading everything I could find on the 458 Win Mag and I will defiantly try out several of the load s recommended or referenced here in. So Thank you all again for your sharing your wisdom and experience some of us GREATLY appreciate it!
Great rifle! It is more than you will ever need as a client and outperforms the 416s that so many drool over!
Please, before posting, read ALL of Kevin Robertson's books (prob available as an e-book that you can listen to while driving to the hospital...) lol
I have and I’ve watched all of his YouTube! He calls a 458 bullet at 2150fps the “Gold Standard” for dangerous game!
 
For those who are NOT bothered by facts. Just one possibility for a 458 WM load. Screenshot from Hodgdon site. Might reduce velocity expectations by 50 fps +/- out of 22” bbl. No matter, chronograph will tell the story. Note the pressures ;)

IMG_0317.png
 
That rifle and caliber will do fine. Huge egos, myths and old wive’s tales live and massage each other, in perpetuity on the internet. Doubt it? … Pay attention to the hypocrisy and echo chamber hiding in plain sight on the subjects of rifles and calibers. Two examples I often see when discussing the 7x57 and 375HH… the same crowd who criticize and demeans owners of the 458 WM speak of both the 7x57 and 375HH as near as any caliber to Thor’s hammer as is known in the mortal world.

For reloading the 458 WM, follow the recommended starting loads and work up carefully. Use a chronograph and keep velocity objectives within reason, Forget trying to hot rod any hunting cartridge. Standard factory vels tend to run around 2150 for a reason! Use temperature insensitive powders and pay no attention to ideas of comparing any cartridge to some stupid standard like 80 k PSI…WTH! Watch for high pressure signs during load work up. A 45 cal 450 grain tough expanding bullet loaded to 2100 fps through the heart/lung boiler of a buffalo will do the job. Your average shot distance on buffalo will likely be somewhere around 50 +/- yards.

I would start by getting some good, tough 450 gr hunting bullets. Use a Lee FCD die for crimping. Big bonus if bullet has crimp groove located/designed for the 458 WM length. Benchmark and similar temperature insensitive powders are good powders to try, Avoid slower ball powders even if someone promises a few more fps! ;)

Reliability is the name of the game for DG ammo.
Thank you
 
Great rifle! It is more than you will ever need as a client and outperforms the 416s that so many drool over!

I have and I’ve watched all of his YouTube! He calls a 458 bullet at 2150fps the “Gold Standard” for dangerous game!
in 1992? LOL :p What about a higher BC/SD 416 doing 2,450 (what is that 6,000+ ft/lbs E?) I, and many others (including KR's recommendations) will take the latter. ;) No BS. The gold standard when the WM replaced the cordite straighwalls, maybe. Bigger 458 cartridges are fine (a bit more zip.) Or, get close and use the WM.
 
Have you ever killed cape buffalo with a .500 NE or .500 Jeff or a 577NE using a premium bullet? I have seen a huge difference between them and the 458 WM. The 458 WM is great but it is still at the bottom of the real big bores. (Yes, I have seen how the 416 kills buffalo... about twice as well as a 375 and half as well as a .500 or 577. ) Brian
Have witnessed many (standing right next to the shooter.) The Jeffrey definitely has more steam and the 577 about as big as anyone would like to shoot. 500 NE is more similar to the WM. Watched my son shoot a big zebra with one and it ran and took several shots. The other two-Badass! :) As a plus, I love the Jeff case for wildcats. There's a GREAT video of Capstick shooting a 577 at elephant showing what the gun does to both animal and elder shooter's body in slow motion.
 
@fourfive8 Why do you suggest avoiding the ball powders? Is it to avoid issues with powder clumping or something else. I load my 458 WM+ (long mag box and throat) at a length of 3.570" with a 450 grain bullet using TAC powder or AA2230 (both ball powders). I get really good velocity and can go hotter but for hunting tend to keep them slower. Meaning I have reached 2410 fps with a 24" barrel. I loaded it down closer to 2300 but having the barrel shortened to around 20" or so so will likely be closer to 2200 fps which will do fine. Just curious about the powder recommendation
 
in 1992? LOL :p What about a higher BC/SD 416 doing 2,450 (what is that 6,000+ ft/lbs E?) I, and many others (including KR's recommendations) will take the latter. ;) No BS. The gold standard when the WM replaced the cordite straighwalls, maybe. Bigger 458 cartridges are fine (a bit more zip.) Or, get close and use the WM.
BC means nothing for a dangerous game cartridge and the 458 has a higher SD of 341 vs 330
A 416 400gr at 2450 has 5332ftlbs of energy where the 458 500gr at 2200 has 5374ftlbs
The 416’s KO value is 57 the 458 is 70
Math is math, the 458 hits harder, has better section density for better penetration, and with the larger meplate give a larger wound channel.
Doctari does not favor the 416 over the 458 and calls a 458 at 2150 the “Gold Standard” for dangerous game
 
I am all for ballistic and cartridge discussions... but to bring the mentally gymnastics back to reality... if you are launching a 500 grain bullet over 2000 fps, the only topics for discussion should be the construction of your bullet, where to place it, and how to get it there. To be honest, the last one is the weakest link.
 
I am all for ballistic and cartridge discussions... but to bring the mentally gymnastics back to reality... if you are launching a 500 grain bullet over 2000 fps, the only topics for discussion should be the construction of your bullet, where to place it, and how to get it there. To be honest, the last one is the weakest link.
I agree! I just watched a video where York, of Dalton & York, who carries a Winchester M-70 458WinMag as a backup rifle was guiding a Bull Elephant Hunt. They get into a bachelor herd of ten or so Bulls several of them had some good tusks. They decided on a Bull and when it came time to shoot the client hit the Bull well but it didn’t go down so York went into action! That guy can shoot!!! He got off four 458WinMag rounds, out of a 8lb rifle that kicks like hell, so fast that the client barely got off is second round out of his double!
After seeing how proficient York is with his 458 I can absolutely say that I’m the weakest link between me and my 458!
 
New +/-45 year old Ruger to have amongst the camp rifles this year. Apparently it was from a collector who passed...a young guy bought it fired 1 shot (oouch) and sold it quite fast.. lol.. to me last year. Mint condition.
First mod was throw solid Ruger pad far away...and a lovely soft Kickeze pad fitted.. huge difference.. from a shoulder muscle cruncher to quite comfortable boomer straight away...
My plan is to find some 450 mono hydro, cup point or X bullets and try.. as we need penetration on our thicker skinned Water Buffs...
27 years ago I owned one, but sold it, as often the buffs would roll over with a frontal or semi frontal 500gr SP or 480gr SP and then up and run off.. lost a few.. not good. The 416 did a much better job..
But anyway.. I love a fat barrel, so will try get some 450grainers cranking at 2250fps or so...
It's already shown me it's dislike to feed RNSP.. so here we go fidling around again...
If the pics load.. it shows the strong recoil lugged bar for in the Ruger forend
Screenshot_20250217_083502_Gallery.jpg
 

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Which 458 Win Mag cases has the most capacity? There seem to be a big difference between manufacturers
 

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