What mold do you use for your 458 WM bolt gun?

[bikerbeans]

Hi All,

I have a used CZ550 in 458 WM headed my way. I was thinking I want a boolit that weighs at least 450g and that is moving at least 1,800 fps. I would like to hear from others on what cast boolits have feed and shot well in their 458 bolt guns.

thanks

BB

[MattOrgan]

I use the RCBS 500 grain FP in my .458, at 1500 fps and less I use 45/45/10 tumble lube and don't bother with the gas check. Up to 2000 fps I use the gas check with LBT blue. Just started making Ben's Red so I'll try that next. My "alloy" is wheel weights and range scrap, sized to .459.
I have shot the same bullet in the past with black powder in my .458 luring the bullets with TC bore butter, fun to do. Trim your cases to the same length, seat and crimp in a separate operation and you'll be happier in loading. This bullet seated to the crimp feeds from the magazine of my M70 smoothly. The RCBS mold is the only 45 cal rifle mold I have and use it in the 45/70 too, but I suspect any makers bullet in the 400+ grain weight will work well in the 458. It is one of the easiest rifle to make cast bullets work in. It's nice to be able to plink and shoot full power loads with great accuracy with cast bullets. Have fun.

[PS Paul]

I know I'm kinda buckin' the "heavy boolit" trend here, but my old model 70 in 458 REALLY liked the Lyman 457124. A 385 gr. RN with a PB, I was in the habit of 1" to 1.5" groups with a Lyman peep sight at 100 yds. rested. I sold off the rifle a few years ago, but still pour the boolits for me and a buddy for .45-70 rifles.

I shot a fair amount of 405 gr. boolits too, but I got rid of that mold and the number escapes me right now...... I also shot the 457122 HP at 330 gr. Did a real number on frozen 2 liter bottles full of water!

3031 and 4198 were the go-to powders at the time. I did not play around with BP or faster pistol powders in it and like my fellow Washingtonian above, I too seated and crimped separately.

As I got older, the desire for 500 gr. boolits over full-power charges REALLY waned, especially at the bench! ha ha!!

Happy shootin and hope this helps.
PSP

[primersp]

the most accurate in an Brno zkk 602 is an nei 505-460 , my riffle need an 460 dia bullet

[J..]

I had a Ruger #1 for a while and liked using the #462560. When I felt like taking it a bit easier on my shoulder I used the #460390.

[Patrick56]

I use the Lyman 385gr in my Winchester M70 .458WinMag. Fun to shoot. I bought the mold when I had a Winchester 1895 converted to 45-70. I really regret that i sold that gun.

[bikerbeans]

Thanks for the replies. I picked up my 458WM last night along with 3 1/2 boxes of factory loaded J-words, rifle and ammo were a package deal. Range trip this morning, gotta generate some brass so I can load REAL boolits.:bigsmyl2: I bought a Lee 2-cavity 500 grain .459 mold to try out first. Going to cast 50/50 ww & lino and see how hard I can push them and maintain accuracy.

BB

[Larry Gibson]

I use the Lee C457-500-FN for full throttle loads in my 450-400-70 (Siamese Mauser) and in 458's. Add 2% tin to the WW's and WQ oout of the mould. I push them when GC'd and sized .459 to 2050 - 2150 fps with accuracy equal to jacketed loads.

Larry Gibson

[bikerbeans]

I use the Lee C457-500-FN for full throttle loads in my 450-400-70 (Siamese Mauser) and in 458's. Add 2% tin to the WW's and WQ oout of the mould. I push them when GC'd and sized .459 to 2050 - 2150 fps with accuracy equal to jacketed loads.

Larry Gibson

Larry,

This will be my next mold to try if the current project doesn't pan out.

thanks

BB

[RobS]

I use the Lee C457-500-FN for full throttle loads in my 450-400-70 (Siamese Mauser) and in 458's. Add 2% tin to the WW's and WQ oout of the mould. I push them when GC'd and sized .459 to 2050 - 2150 fps with accuracy equal to jacketed loads.

Larry Gibson

Geesh..........I bet you felt that 2000 fps+ 500 grain load on the back end.:shock:

bikerbeans: I designed some 375 gain boolits for my Dad and his Marlin SBL for flat shooting 200 yards. I don't know what you plan on shooting or the distances you are planning on so it's hard to really determine sound advise but 450-500 grain boolits at 1800 to 2100 fps is a big push and I don't know how much fun it would be to sit down an shoot very many.

[bikerbeans]

Geesh..........I bet you felt that 2000 fps+ 500 grain load on the back end.:shock:

bikerbeans: I designed some 375 gain boolits for my Dad and his Marlin SBL for flat shooting 200 yards. I don't know what you plan on shooting or the distances you are planning on so it's hard to really determine sound advise but 450-500 grain boolits at 1800 to 2100 fps is a big push and I don't know how much fun it would be to sit down an shoot very many.

Rob,

I'm a bit of recoil junkie. I shot almost 30 rounds out of the 458WM from the bench yesterday and stopped because I was out of ammo. I don't use a lead sled but sometimes will use a slip on Limbsaver pad or a Past shooting pad. This CZ550 in 458WM doesn't kick as bad as some rifles I have shot.

This rifle is mostly for my amusement at the range. Shooting with iron sights to 200 yards maximum, assuming I can get a load accurate enough to shoot that distance. I might possibly shoot a hog with it one day.

BB

[country gent]

Another to try would be Lyman 457125 The 500 grn roundnose govt bullet. I have the mold but mine are all cast soft (20-1) but it should perform good in the 458 also

[Larry Gibson]

Geesh..........I bet you felt that 2000 fps+ 500 grain load on the back end.:shock: .............

Not too bad off a bench if you set the rifle up high enough. Don't bench shoot with that load anyways......lots of fun from a sitting position on the ground or standing position. Just have to roll with the punch, work the bolt coming down from recoil and be ready for the followup shot.....does clear the sinus congestion though.........

Larry Gibson

[pdawg_shooter]

IIRC, Lyman 451114.