45 caliber Part II,

[Michael]

Damn you guys ! ! !

Has if MP molds were not bad enough.

At a LGS tonight nosing around, what do I find?
.458 American on a Husqvarna action with muzzle brake (not that it will needed very often, it at all), looks 20-22" bbl., not fancy, but nice wood, trigger that is maybe 3 lbs and breaks like glass, and RCBS dies. $700.

I don't take Venmo or Zelle, just cash, MO, or cashiers check. PM me for my address.

 

[Ian]

I spent all my money on lathe tools...

 

[462]

I just gave the entire '23 and '24 fun money to the plumber, and a termite killer may be taking all of '25 and '26.

 

[Glaciers]

Yeah mine $$$ went in the heating oil fuel tank.

 

[Brad]

I have the $ but lack the desire or need. My Marlin 45-70 does all I need from a 45

 

[358156 hp]

I just bought groceries.

 

[Brad]

I just bought groceries.

You could stand to lose a few pounds…..

 

[fiver]

groceries or stuff?

 

[Cadillac Jeff]

Or gas

 

[Michael]

It sure was a purdy little thing, well maybe 458x2 isn't little, but in reference to shooting cast certainly not some boney, skinny, high maintenance, 6.5 CM.... Cat Fight!!!.

 

[fiver]

those big bores recoil can be settled down, they are still some serious business down range.

 

[Glaciers]

For the for what it’s worth department, my vote would be for the 452x2 American. Mainly because I built one 35 years ago.
It’s about a simplest wildcat going just shorten 458’s from 2.5 to 2 inch. My rifle was a rebarreled Remington 660 magnum rifle. Unscrewed the 6.5 magnum barrel and off to the races. If you want a 45 caliber bolt gun and that Husky is in good shape, I’d buy it.
here’s a picture of mine.

22” barrel, Decelerator pad, 7.4 pounds I think that’s without scope, 40.5 inches overall, Leupold VX6 1x6 scope which replaced a 1x4 Leupold, the VX6 has a 110’ field of view at 100 yards and is far brighter than the 1x4 with a 65’ field of view. Awesome scope for nasty critters. I’m considering cutting the barrel from 22” to 20” just to have a shorter package.

here for comparison next to a Winchester Featherweight

Buy a trim die and your set. Loaded with a Barnes 400 grain semi Spitzer Original, next to a 500 grain LEE casting. I would not be afraid of anything on this planet with the 400’s loaded at 2100 fps.
I used to have a 458 built on a Mark X action, 11 pounds with a receiver sight, 46.5 inches, but was hunting Brownies down on the coast and was going through real thick alders when I realized that if one of those furry freight trains came plowing through I would not be able to swing that big 458. So the birth of the smaller 458x2 rifle.
Shoots great, the LEE 500 groups about 1.5” at fifty yards, still working on that one.

 

[Ian]

^^^^^^^^ VERY nice rifle and solid concept for a cartridge, Glaciers. Thanks for sharing, I didn't know much about the shorter .450 Magnum before but your fine example there makes the point well.

 

[Michael]

No recoil pad, barrel was 21" with the muzzle brake, looked like it screwed on and also has a set screw for added measure.
Can close your eyes, bring the rifle up into your shoulder in one continual motion as if you were going to shoot it. Open your eyes and, perfect, dang it felt good. I don't think it weighs 7 lbs soaking wet and loaded. Plus this just keeps getting worse and worse, the LGS/pawn shop where I found the 275gr Speer 338's has several boxes of Horn 500gr RNSP and FMJ's....... $20/ea.

The 458x2 is one of those rounds I remember from my early shooting years that intrigued me right along with the 338-06 and .17 Mark IV(17 Fireball). Funny how the older wildcats from the 60's are pretty much a foreign language to many younger shooters.

If you want a 45 caliber bolt gun and that Husky is in good shape, I’d buy it.

Duh.. the penny finally dropped, you're hoping I will buy it and sell you those 275gr Speers to help cover the cost. Clever. Lol.

 

[Glaciers]

Michael unless you’re dying for 500 grain jacketed bullets leave them on the shelf. Jacket material is thick made to be driven hard. Better option is the Barnes originals or the Barnes 350 grain copper spritzer. I’ve got some on my shelf that I’m wanting to test out. But fairly heavy but decent BC. Should be able to drive it 2200 to 2300 fps.
But I personally like the Barnes Originals just wish they made a 350 original semi-spritzer. If they did I would never look back.
My short action will not feed blunt or round nose bullets.
But yeah if the 275’s are a burden to you I might be able to help you out. I got rid of my 338 magnum because I have a 338-06 improved.
Second but, since I don’t hunt anymore the 2 boxes I have might get me by. But I certainly wouldn’t turn them down if they are priced reasonably. Hope the Pawn Shop didn’t hold you up on the price. LOL

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

OR THE ORIGINAL HOMOGENEOUS BULLET... LEAD!!

 

[Michael]

Texted my buddy who has the Lott, they have a couple of partial boxes so might shoot a few or have on hand just for gits and shiggles, yes the 500's are definitely for the big 45's. In a 458x2 a 500gr SP and FMJ are pretty much one in the same.

But nope, keepin' the 275s, looked too long and too hard. There was a hold up with the pawn shop all right on the 275's, stole them, $20/ea, about tore the back pocket off my pants getting my wallet out.

Any body have a hankerin' for some 400gr .416's, happy to check on them next time I go into town?