Springfield 1903 - 458 Winchester Magnum

[rcathey]

I picked up another 1903 sporter a while back.

This time, it's rebarreled to 458 Winchester Magnum.

The maximum pressures of 30-06 and 458 are within a couple thousand PSI, or closer depending on the measurement method.

From a felt recoil viewpoint, 458 seems pretty dang hot for the 1903 action.

Anyone have any thoughts on that? Ever seen one?

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[oldfoneguy]

Yes have fired one once, not pleasant and not a go to range gun. Had the opportunity to try it a second time later that year and politely refused. That rifle wasn't used again after that 2nd time and was sold within 2 years time.

Your dealing with a 45-70 size 500gr+ bullet travelling at over 2100fps so hell yeah it's going to kick. The average 30-06 load is a 150gr to 180gr bullet leaving the barrel at higher velocity but with 1/3 of the 458's mass. Very different animals

[browningautorifle]

I shot lots of 45/70 and it wasn't bad. I like the big guns at the time but still didn't build a .458 for exactly the reasons mentioned. They can be punishing. Unless you need it for cape buffalo, I wouldn't have one. There are better platforms than an M1903, too light and too vicious. It wants a heavy platform to absorb recoil.

[rcathey]

Sounds like the safety factor is at an acceptable level.

I can't imagine I'd spend much time shooting the rifle anyway at $5/round but good to know I could. Might have to pick up a box and fire one off just to say I have.

Thanks for the input, guys!

[CINDERS]

I felt more comfortable shooting my friends 45/70 in 336 Marlin than I did my own 444 Marlin in 336 by the 5th round out of it you just wanted to put the rifle down.
Of my friends 460 WM after 2 rounds one had reached the limit plus I once shot it from a bench rest so I could say I had done it! But I'm not keen to reacquaint my self with it anytime soon.

[ArtPahl]

I have four Remingtons chambered for belted cartridges: A 1903 in .358 Norma Magnum and A3's chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum, .30/.338 Magnum, and .338 Winchester Magnum---no .458. I don't hunt anymore but do take one or another to the range occasionally. But, when I do, it's usually a pretty short day!

In the late 1960's, a friend "needed" a .458 so I got a Mauser barreled action for him from the old Herter's outfit. While in the process of putting it together for him, I set it in a scrap military stock and fired a 510 gr. soft point factory load. I then took 2 aspirins and laid down!

[MAC702]

Pshaw. Bolt-actions are so old-fashioned.

[RCS]

Back during the late 1950's and 1960's, Maynard Buehler claimed his scope mounts would hold their zero no matter what caliber. His photos in the American Rifleman and other shooting magazines showed his alter US Enfield 1917 with a 18 inch barrel chambered in 505, magazine held two rounds. After shooting this Enfield 505 the scope still held with coming loose

photo show a 30-05 and 505 Gibbs

[rcathey]

I then took 2 aspirins and laid down!

Yes, I do believe I'll enjoy the idea of having a 458 much more than actually shooting one!

[butlersrangers]

You can always load the .458 case with 300 grain Hornady jacketed soft points and a stout .45/70 smokeless load intended for modern rifles.

That would give you a powerful, yet tolerable & affordable, hunting round for your 1903 Springfield.