#1 458 Win Mag .....

[Alan in GA]

What are you shooting out of your 458? I will
Probably load and shoot cast. I had a 77 Tropical in 458 years ago and couldn't resist this #1.

 

[RSIno1]

I haven't shot mine yet and didn't want wimppy 45-70 plinker cast loads. I loaded 25 each of 300 and 500 grain jacketed at about 75% to start. Figured my shoulder could take those.

 

[winchester348]

Depends on who is pulling the trigger. If I'm target shooting I loaded up some Speer 350 Gr loaded down a little. If it's someone who is having the itch to shoot a .458, I hand then a nice 510 Gr factory load.

 

[SweetWilliam]

Don't take this the wrong way but who buys a 458win mag to shoot whimpy target loads out of it? Lol go big or don't go at all. Lol
I use H335 for all my 458 loads.
I've had a box of Woodleigh 550's sitting on the shelf that has needed emptied out for awhile now. I just picked up a box of Barnes 450tsx for almost nothing that I been to try out. Nice looking bullet. If you shop around you can usually find old Hornady 500gr bullets for a good deal.

 

[Alan in GA]

Not taking the wrong way at all. But someone that has had partial retina detachment, but still loves to experience big bore rifles, especially the Ruger #1 lately, is my reason. I enjoyed shooting a few factory 500 solids as well as paper patch, cast, and lighter jacketed bullet handloads in my first 458, a Ruger 77RST, owned before the retina wound.
Buying a previously owned #1 about 100% condition with nice wood at a price that will assure a return price one day of at least the initial investment, maybe a few hundred dollars more, made the decision to buy even easier. Being a handloader since 1967, the 458 is lots of fun with lighter loads, such as slinging 300 and 350 (325 too now) way faster than most 45 bores will. Or even the Speer 250 gr SWC swayed lead pistol bullet (.452") paper patched to .460" and being a lethal deer killer is fun if one wants to really tinker.

 

[SweetWilliam]

Here is some cast bullet data I have. I would copy this if you want because I'm sue I will delete the photos from my bucket. All so Hodgdons reloading page has some really light loads using Trail Boss.

 

[Alan in GA]

Got them copied. Thanks.

 

[robertkirksey]

Alan, the purpose of shooting is to have fun. I think you are on the right track with cast bullets in your rifle. I have a CZ .458 Lott and wanted to start "light". I loaded up some 405 gr. Rem. 45/70 bullets. They chronographed at 2250 fps which was more than I was expecting. Although the bullets were 95 grains lighter than factory loads, the recoil got my attention. Not long after my gunsmith put two mercury tubes in the buttstock.

I have yet to try 500 grain bullets at Lott velocities but I will get around to it one day but I can't help but believe that a good sized gas checked bullet loaded to 45-110 data would be just the ticket. Regardless of velocity a .458 bullet does not shrink and would work just fine for anything on this continent. What do you think?