458 Lott Conversion

[MLDestro]

I am trying to find a reputable gunsmith in South Africa to convert my pre-64 Mod 70 Winchester 458 to 458 Lott. The magazine box needs enlarging plus the reamering etc. Does anyone have any recommendations? The rifle could also benefit from some stock work, so a gunsmith who could take on both jobs would be ideal -based either in Joburg or Cape Town.

[Leadbutt]

Check in the Man Magnum magizine, or contact the South African Hunters Asoc. they may be able to help.

if that fails go to the accurate site and ask on the african hunting or big bore site

[Valigator]

Show us some pics and tell us some stories!

[bullet77]

Hello Mr. Destro, first I am compelled to say you are ruining a nice rifle for no good reason.

however, if you want good work in SA, I can recommend Kevan Healy (Custom Guns) in Bloemfontein. he has done all the metal work for me on a custom 9.3X62. nice work at a fair price. I did the stock work.

also, Benny Laubscher in Paarl. the best gunwork in Africa. equal to the best pre-war English gunmakers. he built a complete .416 for me. the best there is, and his prices reflect this.

both can recommended without reservations. good luck.

bullet77

[Hi Ball]

MLDestro..........I will ask why you wish to do this to your .458 mag? I have such a rifle that I did convert, however to do so is not a bed of roses when it comes to being able to shoot said conversion accurately at DG animals. The muzzle of that gun comes up twice as high compared to the standard load from a .458 win mag and getting a second shot off is NOT AS FAST as with a regular .458 magnum. It also KICKS a lot more too!

I had 2 such model 70 Winchesters (22 in barrel & 24 inch barrel) in a .458 magnum, so I wasn't caring one way or the other. Your best bet is to use a Barnes X bullet in the 450 grain weight, this will give you the added velocity and the 450 grain bulllet will stay together to give you very good penetration as well. Trust me, those 450 grain Barnes X bullets will do the job in spades.

[PhilLozano]

Mr. MLDestro,

I cannot speak regarding a Gunsmith for you. However, I had 2 - 458 Win. Mag.'s.. Was not extreamly happy with the 458 cartridge, but I will say it did the job. Just not as well as I thought it should.
Ended up having both of them converted to the Lott. Yes, the recoil is more, but it is more effective as well (IMO). I used the Lott for years as my back up. It saved my butt more times than I care to remember.

Just my opinion.

Best,
Phil

[PhilLozano]

Mr. MLDestro,

I cannot speak regarding a Gunsmith for you. However, I had 2 - 458 Win. Mag.'s.. Was not extreamly happy with the 458 cartridge, but I will say it did the job. Just not as well as I thought it should.
Ended up having both of them converted to the Lott. Yes, the recoil is more, but it is more effective as well (IMO). I used the Lott for years as my back up. It saved my butt more times than I care to remember.

Just my opinion.

Best,
Phil