ES - I believe you are entirely correct - the .458 is just as fine today(or better), as it was 40 years ago. Today, best results come from handloading is all. So many great bullets to choose from, and powders that give the same or higher velocities as the original factory loads & at lower pressure as well. On top of all that, are the premium bullets available today that weren't just a few years back. Ctgs. now get better as time goes on.