Maybe something interesting mentioned by Terry Irwin, PH in Tanzania , the Selous Game reserve many years ago.. He used a .458 Mannlicher Schoenauer, custom made for him by the Mannlicher Schoenauer company...he ordered a custom fitted .458 MS since it had a rotary magazine that will not drop rounds out when using it in stress fire situations..as Richard Harland had used as well....Terry ordered it in a 24" barrel length..The company refused and stated that the barrel needs to be 26" to 28" long to ensure sufficient burning of the propellant to ensure proper muzzle velocity . Terry had to get use to the longer barrel but mentioned it never bothered him..
According to him the .458 MS killed every elephant and other dangerous game dead...he was a proponent of shot placement as the only criteria to consider when shooting at dangerous game...or any game ...
Email from Terry Irwin:
Hi Gert
I used a Westerly Richards .458 and various other large calibres with Mauser type actions. One of the problems I experienced with all of them was magazine plates popping open and spilling all the rounds or, when flicking the bolt open quickly, the top round may pop up right out of the magazine causing a jam. This problem was solved with the Mannlicher's revolving magazine. It holds each round individually and feeds one at a time and the base plate does not open on a hinge. The barrel is also longer than other .458s. I requested a shorter barrel when I had mine custom made but they refused to shorten the barrel saying it would not be ballisticly perfect with a shorter barrel. I did not experience all the under powered shots, with early Winchester ammunition, that gave the .458 a bad reputation when it first came out. I think this was because of the longer barrel. The action is also the smoothest I have used but I had to get used to using the flat bolt I would have preferred a straight bolt with a ball end. Otherwise I think the Mannlicher Schonauer is the best .458 I have used. Enjoy7 it! - Terry