.458 Win Mag Shotshell Loads

[MedRiver]

I am working on putting a .458 WM together. Just playing with some ideas and thought it would be fun to put together a shotshell load for shooting grouse off the trail. Anybody done this or have some data or suggestions for the best way to go about it?

Any input is appreciated

Thanks

 

[Boone66]

I would try 410 data, or black powder loads. Either with a over shot card and roll crimp or fold the edges of the shell a little over the over shot card and then water glass to seal it, maybe mylar wrap the shot also, or use a wad for steel. The pattern will be in a doughnut pattern, because of the rifling. If your putting a muzzle brake on, have a additional one made with straight rifling, 2 or 3in long, it will stop the shot spin and you can either have it made with or without a choke. You may need to make your wad stack, because 410 is a bit small for a 458 shell. Anyways, that's how I would approach it.

 

[MedRiver]

Thanks. No brakes planned for this rifle.

 

[Boone66]

Ok, then when you pattern it, you will have to figure out where to put the center of the doughnut, so the outside of it hits the head.

 

[SRvet]

Would be good for snakes! I had this thought too

 

[Red Leg]

Must be worried about really big snakes - rat shot from a 38 is pretty effective a very close range.

Rifled barrels are terrible at producing patterns. It is why the Paradox was such an amazing creation when developed a little over a hundred years ago.

 

[SRvet]

When I considered it I thought it might be useful if a cobra stumbled into camp unexpectedly when a .38 was not close to hand !

 

[Boone66]

Must be worried about really big snakes - rat shot from a 38 is pretty effective a very close range.

Rifled barrels are terrible at producing patterns. It is why the Paradox was such an amazing creation when developed a little over a hundred years ago.

Yep, which is why I suggested a straight rifled screwed on choke. Even if no brake is used and only a tread protector, it would help develop a pattern, that much better then a doughnut.