458 Win Mag for deer and bear

[Brickman301]

I recently picked up a Interarms Mark X rifle in 458 Winchester magnum. Since I’m not planning on going to Africa for a while, I was thinking maybe I’d use it this fall for whitetails and possibly black bear hunting.
Anyone got some good recommendations for reduced loads? I’d love to use cast bullets, as I have several bullets molds in that caliber I use for 45-70.
I’ve looked online and found some loads, but wanted to know if anyone here has done the same, and how did it go?
Thanks in advance for the help

 

[Brickman301]

Oh, i forgot to mention. I already have reloading dies, primers (standard and magnum) and brass is on the way! I have several powders as well, but if I need to pick some up, it’s not a big deal…….as long as it’s available.

 

[cajunchefray]

Oh, i forgot to mention. I already have reloading dies, primers (standard and magnum) and brass is on the way! I have several powders as well, but if I need to pick some up, it’s not a big deal…….as long as it’s available.

Accurate 5744 is a choice powder for cast bullets. I’m loading some for my Whitworth 458 for the upcoming deer season.
I’ll report results when I develop a good load.

 

[Brickman301]

Accurate 5744 is a choice powder for cast bullets. I’m loading some for my Whitworth 458 for the upcoming deer season.
I’ll report results when I develop a good load.

Thank for the info. I might have some 5744, got to look. What cast bullet are you using?
Looking forward to your report.

 

[jnmullins]

I have started load development for AA5744 with cast bullets in my 458 REM 798, but got distracted by loading other things. I’m using a 500gr Lee mold. I got load data from the latest Lyman cast bulletin manual and tried a couple loads from the middle of the range. I didn’t get any data on my LabRadar, but it was reasonably accurate and not unpleasant to shoot. I need to work on that some more before deer season.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Mr. Phil Shoemaker (Alaskan Master Guide & the gentleman who wrote the foreword to my autobiography) exclusively employs a .458 Winchester Magnum (built on an Interarms Whitworth Mark X action with a Pac Nor barrel) for all of his bear hunting/guiding purposes. He has even hunted several mule deer, moose, caribou & elk with it. My recommendation would be for 300Gr Hornady Interlock bullets for the deer species and 500Gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw bullets for the bear species.

 

[Brickman301]

I have started load development for AA5744 with cast bullets in my 458 REM 798, but got distracted by loading other things. I’m using a 500gr Lee mold. I got load data from the latest Lyman cast bulletin manual and tried a couple loads from the middle of the range. I didn’t get any data on my LabRadar, but it was reasonably accurate and not unpleasant to shoot. I need to work on that some more before deer season.

Nice!
I don’t own a 500 grain Lee mold, but might need to pick one up.
I do have a 500 grain Lyman mold.
Mind posting the load data from the Lyman manual? The one I have shows no cast bullet load data with a 500 grain bullet.

 

[John J]

Check out Accurate molds (Accurate molds . com) no affiliation. His brass is a pleasure to cast with.

 

[jnmullins]

I’ll look up the data when I get home from work. I think the Lyman data I started with was for a 480gr bullet

 

[thriller]

I recently picked up a Interarms Mark X rifle in 458 Winchester magnum. Since I’m not planning on going to Africa for a while, I was thinking maybe I’d use it this fall for whitetails and possibly black bear hunting.
Anyone got some good recommendations for reduced loads? I’d love to use cast bullets, as I have several bullets molds in that caliber I use for 45-70.
I’ve looked online and found some loads, but wanted to know if anyone here has done the same, and how did it go?
Thanks in advance for the help

I have shot plenty of deer with mine. I use full power 500 grain loads. Load doesn’t matter much to the whitetail with full power 458. I have never used a reduced load personally so sorry no help there

 

[jnmullins]

I plan to hunt with my 458 this fall using full power 420gr CEB Raptors or 450gr TSX. I’ll shoot a deer if one comes by, but I’m also quite curious what these bullets do to a big hog, especially if two or more line up

 

[thriller]

I plan to hunt with my 458 this fall using full power 420gr CEB Raptors or 450gr TSX. I’ll shoot a deer if one comes by, but I’m also quite curious what these bullets do to a big hog, especially if two or more line up

The result on a hog is very effective kind like thors hammer in my experience. doesn't tear them up too much as the bullets don't have time to expand much but almost always drops them right there.

 

[Muskox]

I am shooting everything this season with mono-metal bullets similar to Barnes X in a 413 Vonow 10,3x68 RWS. .413 bullet diameter so not the same, but the same concept.

Barnes used to make a 300 and a 350. That way you have the big SD of the heavier 450's but a big .458 hole.

 

[50Gunner]

Brickman,

Not a thing wrong with building up to a full power Safari load and using it on all manner of game, that's what I did, I was the first guy out back in 2022 to use the then new 404gr Hammer bullet on Cape buffalo, one shot drop at 33 yards through both shoulders, shank exited buffalo.

Used that load to make two of the hardest shots I've ever made in Africa, a cull Warthog right between the headlights at 115 yards off sticks, then a beautiful Impala ram dead center chest shot in a dang good right wind at 189 yards, also standing off sticks, shank also exited the ram between hams, eight other animals from Zebra/Blue Wildebeest on down fell to that load, a giant blue black Sable bull traveled the furthest, he only made 31 yards before collapse.

That load ran an easy 2515 fps from a Model 70 with a 24" barrel, I have since had another 458 WM built with a 25.5" barrel, it boots the 404gr Hammer out at 2600 fps, both the old and new load use AA-2460 powder.

IIRC hodgdon's website shows load data for 2460 with 400gr bullets, even max loads are extremely low psi pressure numbers, a neighboring state allows straight walled rifle cartridges during their primitive weapons season, I'll be chasing whitetails with 404gr Hammer bullets at 2600 fps this season.

Shooting Safari loads on all game stateside makes the moment of truth when you do get to Africa as easy as drawing your next breath of air.

 

[Mr. T]

I have loaded and used the Lee 500 grain bullet through my 458 Lott at reduced power for javelina. I used Trail Boss, which is as accurate as it is scarce now. Very pleasant to shoot and not much damage aside from a half inch hole drilled through the little ~40 pound peccary. I have also loaded full house loads with these bullets cast with linotype and powder coated. Very impressive terminal ballistics through 5 gallon water cans and stacks of 2x6.

 

[hoytcanon]

I like the Barnes 400 grain Original SSP for bears and moose out my .458 Carbine with 65.0 grains of H4895... pleasant load and floors game.

 

[hoytcanon]

I like the Barnes 400 grain Original SSP for bears and moose out my .458 Carbine with 65.0 grains of H4895... pleasant load and floors game.
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I experimented with the 300 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet in a reduced .458 load... I HIGHLY recommend you NOT use that one for hunting... I shot a late season WT doe with it and the bullet completely came apart and made a mess, with shrapnel going everywhere, excessive meat loss.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Brickman,

Not a thing wrong with building up to a full power Safari load and using it on all manner of game, that's what I did, I was the first guy out back in 2022 to use the then new 404gr Hammer bullet on Cape buffalo, one shot drop at 33 yards through both shoulders, shank exited buffalo.

Used that load to make two of the hardest shots I've ever made in Africa, a cull Warthog right between the headlights at 115 yards off sticks, then a beautiful Impala ram dead center chest shot in a dang good right wind at 189 yards, also standing off sticks, shank also exited the ram between hams, eight other animals from Zebra/Blue Wildebeest on down fell to that load, a giant blue black Sable bull traveled the furthest, he only made 31 yards before collapse.

That load ran an easy 2515 fps from a Model 70 with a 24" barrel, I have since had another 458 WM built with a 25.5" barrel, it boots the 404gr Hammer out at 2600 fps, both the old and new load use AA-2460 powder.

IIRC hodgdon's website shows load data for 2460 with 400gr bullets, even max loads are extremely low psi pressure numbers, a neighboring state allows straight walled rifle cartridges during their primitive weapons season, I'll be chasing whitetails with 404gr Hammer bullets at 2600 fps this season.

Shooting Safari loads on all game stateside makes the moment of truth when you do get to Africa as easy as drawing your next breath of air.

I agree. Shooting paper is fine. But getting out and actually hunting and killing with your chosen rifle and bullet is valuable.

Last winter stalking sitting rabbits with my daughter.

One quartering away. One frontal brain. .458 WM with Barnes banded solids

 

[Mountaineer]

I have been using the 295 CEB raptor for whitetail deer and 350 TSX for African plains game. Shooter’s reference has load data.

 

[BeeMaa]

I agree. Shooting paper is fine. But getting out and actually hunting and killing with your chosen rifle and bullet is valuable.

Last winter stalking sitting rabbits with my daughter.

One quartering away. One frontal brain. .458 WM with Barnes banded solids
View attachment 702016View attachment 702017

With big FANGS!