I find the anti-belt argument to be inane, and much more about theory than it is about substance. Countless professional hunters and clients have relied upon belted-magnums, notably the 375 H&H and 458 Win. Mag., since 1912, and I've yet to hear of anyone who's made a specific reference to an actual problem that the belted case has caused them in the field, or even at the range. I've been shooting belted-magnums rather extensively since 1977, and I have yet to experience one single problem that i can lay on the belted case design.

Yet, outfits like Dakota and various stooge gunwriters have attempted to create enterprise by denouncing the belted cases, while guys like me largely ignored them, and have continued to rely on belted-magnums for a great deal of successful hunting, and with no problems whatsoever.

The anti-belt hype is enough to keep me away from all of Dakota's proprietory cartridges in and of itself. I also think there's a very strong chance that Dakota will eventually go down the drain altogether, and all of the financial gymnastics and stunts that have been applied to that troubled firm will eventually catch up to it burn Dakota to the ground. THEN what happens to ammo and brass availability?

All things considered, the 458 Lott makes much more sense than the 450 Dakota, and I think the Lott will be around for as long as African hunting is going to be around............

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