Winchester Model 70 .458 Magnum

SPECIFICATIONS

Type:  Bolt Action
Caliber:  .458 Magnum
Barrel Length:  22; 24 inches
Weight:  8.5- 9.5 lbs.
Sights:  open sights
Stocks:  walnut with two steel reinforcing crossbolts
Cartridge Capacity:  4 shot magazine
Finish:  Chrome Moly; Stainless

AMMUNITION

Except for use on a couple of the world's big game animals most American hunters will ever see except for on T.V. or in magazines, the .458 Magnum might be considered a useless cartridge.  But a lot of .458 rifles are sold in the U.S., mainly because Americans like powerful cars, powerful cartridges, and the .458 Magnum stands near the top of the heap in punch.

All of this is not meant to say that the .458 Magnum is not an excellent cartridge.   For hunting African Elephant or Cape Buffalo, few cartridges do a better job than Winchester's biggest cartridge.  Since its introduction in 1956, the .458 Magnum has become the most popular big bore cartridge among African professional hunters, not only for game population control work but for keeping clientele out of trouble when mixing it up with dangerous game.  A few Alaskan guides and outfitters who specialize in hunting Brown Bear are also quite fond of the .458 for backup use.

A number of excellent big game bullets are available for the .458 Magnum. When maximum penetration is needed for elephant, Cape Buffalo, and the like, the Speer, Hornady, Barnes, and A-Square 500 grain solids are good choices.  Listed among the better 500 grain softnose bullets are the Speer, the Hornady, the A-Square, and Barnes.  For a reduced recoil elk or moose load, try the Hornady 350 grain bullet.  The .458 Winchester Magnum performs best with relatively fast burning powders such as H335, H4895, IMR-3031, and Reloader 7.