Like I hinted in my last post - I'm sure they're not saying it is the best at the job, but that it will do the job if handled and loaded properly. Today's bullets and powders make some ctg. absolutely amazing.
; The reason the military replaced round balls driven by black powder with elongated lead bullets driven by black powder was due to the elongated bullet's greater range. The reason big lead bullets driven by black powder were replaced with small diameter jacketed bullets driven by smokeless powders was due to the higher velocities generated, which gave greater range.
: I think it's absolutely amazing that a round that was developed 135 years ago, is more popular today than it was 75 years ago. Loaded to it's potential in a modern rifle, it is not only an effective round but even more so due to powders and bullets available. Why not be happy for those who champion it? You can speculate all you want, but that big chunk of lead or jacketed bullet is effective on heavy game. Elmer Keith once said he'd rather face a charging brown bear with a .50 Sharps, than any other American round. This was post .458 WM's introduction. Elmer also noted the load - 170gr. 1F and a 700gr. paper patched bullet. I had one and it indeed did hold 170gr. of 1F ICI black powder. It kicked a bit. He's speaking of sub-1,400fps velocity. One of John Taylor's favourite AFrican loads was a 480g.r paper patched bullet driven by 85gr. of black powder for 1,380fps. In a world of 3,000fps + velocities, it is sometimes difficult to understand just how much is actually needed, given sufficient bullet weight.
: I haven't read the article referred to in G&A so I will have to guess that the author didn't say it was better or more effective than the normal African stopping rounds, or that it would make a good back up rifle for a PH. If so, then I'm glad I don't read G&A any more as the BS is just getting deeper.
: Most people who are down on the .45/70, have never fired one or shot game with one. Most people who bad-mouth the .458 WM, have never owned one or shot an animal with one. Some people just need something to be negative about.