Plains99
(.300 member)
02/06/09 11:36 PM
Re: Building a 458 Win on Ruger Action ?

Hawkeye actions are too short for a Lott. No Hawkeye that I know of is made for a .459 Win Mag either. However, there are Mark I's and Mark II's on the used market that are similarly sized to the Hawkeye and chambered for .458 Win Mag. I tried a number of .458's before I settled for the Mark I Ruger. I tried Mauser conversions, CZ's in Lott and Win Mag, a standard equipment Mark I Ruger, a #1 Ruger in .458, a Weatherby, and a modern Mauser. I only test fired the last two.
Most of the Mauser conversions had feeding and dependability problems, the CZ's seemed awkward and getting a scope mount to hold was a problem, the #1 was a great rifle but I didn't really want a single shot for dangerous game, the standard Ruger Mark I had terrible open sights and recoil was unpleasant, the Weatherby was a fine rifle but overpriced ($2,300 at that time), and the Mauser was just too European for my tastes.
The customized Mark I Ruger is a very quick bolt action for second and third rounds, is pleasant to carry, has a decent trigger, a very handy tang mounted safety, a Bell & Carlson stock, Black Ice metal finish, excellent custom open sights (similar to what is now standard on a .375 Ruger Hawkeye), was as accurate as anything I tried, and this one has a recoil suppressor to help with control. Now I know that outfitters don't like recoil suppressors but I can fire, bolt another round, and get on target again very quickly with this one. I believe that I will be much more effective with this rifle than any I tried.
My point is that buying a Ruger shorter action on the used market (since very few of them have seen much use) and doing some custom work such as sights and stock, can produce a pretty nice dangerous game rifle in .458 Win Mag at a reasonable price. I use Hornady's Light Magnum loads and the Ruger does very well. If you don't want a Lott (which I didn't need or want either)a modern .458 Win Mag is an awfully nice dangerous game rifle.



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