Quote Originally Posted by bootsmcguire
What types and weights of bullets are you planning on trying? I have been shooting the 325-350gr range stuff intended for the 45-70. Been putting them over RL7 and I am guessing they are running at about 2250-2350 FPS range. I have a brake on mine and it only thumps about as bad as a 30-06. I have only been looking at the 400gr and smaller bullets just because here in the midwest a 325gr pill at 2200FPR should put down Deer and such with a vengeance. I guess I should load up a couple of 600gr solids in case I want to take down a runaway Ford or something.
Boots, I'll likely be doing something similar to what you are doing. Loading down for deer, etc. Perhaps something a little bigger if I go after bigger game. Knowing me, i'll probably try some 500 grain pills and stout loads just for the heck of it, and to say I did it.

I wouldn't worry to much about the throat being too short. Mine is an ER Shaw/A&B also and it has a very very generous throat, and remember with the Ultra Magazine you will have a bit of machine work to do to the action unless you have a RUM type action. You are absolutely correct. As I said, I was simply musing on paper. Since I am not going to consider this a true dangerous Game Rifle, it will be what it is. Most of the issues with the 458 Win Mag I have read about on various forums have to do with people complaining about how the big long bullets take up powder room, leaving not enough powder to generate the higher velocities they want. The lead free bullets such as Barnes and the like are the usual suspects since they have to be longer to be the same weight. I'm simply not going to worry about it. It will still be more powerful at its useful ranges than anything else I own.

As far as the Lott goes, I'd rather have the 458WM unless you are going to hunt Elephants, Cape Buff., and the like. Here in the states the 458WM is more than enough and has cheaper brass and fits most actions and is plenty capable on its own of the above mentioned DG animals. I might consider the Lott if I were really going on an African dangerous game hunt, or planning to visit the Pittsburgh or Philly zoo (Would they be suspicious if I showed up in a Pith helmet with a rifle slung over my shoulder? ) . But since I'm not, I think the 458 Mag will do for me here in North America.
Please don't look for any pictures of this completed rifle or targets for a while. I still have a lot of work to do. I need to get myself the magnum bolt parts I need and figure out what kind of action and magazine I will use. I have a lead on some once fired brass, but will need dies and bullets.

Other projects need to get done as well:
I also have to finish a 35 Whelen and 6.5-55 build.
I am working on building an annealer.
I am also working on trying to pillar and bed MkII.
I need to finish building some furniture projects for my wife.
I also have to look after my wife and kids, and continue progressing on a honeydo list longer than Santa's list. This morning I spent a lot of time snaking out my household waste plumbing system and now I have to finish that project by cleaning out the remains of the "water" (yes, that's a euphemism for what it really is :-\) that backed up into my workshop.
I am in the middle of repairing an antique English railway clock so that it works (I'm not a clockmaker, but have a local clockmaker who has been assisting and guiding me through the project.)
Two kids have two different music concerts tonight, music and dance lessons tomorrow afternoon/evening.
Oh, and I need to change the oil in the Suburban.
By the way, it rained all day yesterday so now the grass needs to be cut.

So, why am I spending time on this forum? ::)

I'm not complaining, mind you. Life is good. It beats the alternative.