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Rifle · SAAMI

.458 Winchester Magnum

.458 Win Mag.458 WM

American big-bore dangerous game cartridge designed to fit standard (non-magnum) bolt-action rifles.

Caliber
0.4579″ · 11.63 mm
Introduced
1956
Case
Belted
Parent
.375 H&H Magnum
Primary use
Dangerous Game, Hunting
Status
Active
Velocity2,050–2,240 fps
Energy5,336–5,570 ft·lb
Typical grains350 · 400 · 500 gr
Identity
Introduced
1956
Type
Rifle
Origin
United States
Inventor
Winchester
Manufacturer
Winchester Repeating Arms
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
92 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:14
Primer
Large Rifle Magnum
Case type
Belted
Pressure & range
Max pressure
60,000 psi
Eff. range
150 yd
Max range
400 yd
Recoil
60–80 ft·lb

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Barnes VOR-TX TSX 450 gr, 2,150 fps, BC 0.383 G1 · 100 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd21504616-1.5″—
100 yd203441320.0″0.0
200 yd19203682-6.9″-3.3
300 yd18083267-23.3″-7.4
400 yd17002886-50.3″-12.0
500 yd15932534-89.4″-17.1
600 yd14872209-142.2″-22.6

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingBarnes VOR-TX TSX450 gr · TSX · 2,150 fps · BC 0.383 G1Buy now →
Best for TargetSIG Sauer Match Elite350 gr · OTM BTHP · 2,470 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .458 Winchester Magnum ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀11.630.458✓
Neck ⌀12.220.481✓
Shoulder ⌀n/a
Shoulder anglen/a
Base ⌀13.030.513✓
Rim ⌀13.510.532✓
Belt ⌀13.510.532✓
Rim thickness1.270.050✓
Neck lengthn/a
Case length63.502.500✓
Overall length84.843.340✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .458 Winchester Magnum is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 283 active loads across 33 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 285 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
BarnesVOR-TX TSX450TSX2,1504,6180.383 G1
BarnesVOR-TX TSX FB 450gr450TSX FB2,1504,6180.383 G1
SIG SauerMatch Elite350OTM BTHP2,4704,741—
FederalAmerican Eagle350JHP2,4704,741—
FederalGold Medal350BTHP2,4704,741—
FederalPower-Shok350JHP2,4704,741—
FederalFusion350Fusion Bonded2,4704,741—
FederalLE Tactical350BTHP2,4704,741—
FederalVital-Shok350Trophy Bonded2,4704,741—
WinchesterUSA White Box350JHP2,4704,741—
WinchesterSuper-X350JHP2,4704,741—
WinchesterMatch350BTHP2,4704,741—
WinchesterDeer Season XP350Extreme Point2,4704,741—
WinchesterPower Max Bonded350Power Max PHP2,4704,741—
WinchesterVarmint HE350V-Max2,4704,741—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .458 Winchester Magnum

12 models in the database chamber .458 Winchester Magnum. Browse all →

Merkel RX.Helix .375 H&HMauser M98 Magnum .416 Rigby 25.6-inchRuger African .458 LottRuger Ruger African .458 Lott 23-inchSauer & Sohn 405 .375 H&HWinchester Repeating Arms Model 70 Safari Express .375 H&H MagBlaser R8 Professional .375 H&HMontana Rifle Company Montana Rifle Company X2 .375 H&H 24-inchBlaser R8 Standard 375 H&HWinchester Repeating Arms Model 70 Safari Express .458 Win Mag 24-inchWinchester Repeating Arms Model 70 Safari Express .375 H&H Mag 24-inchHeym Heym SR21 .458 Win Mag 24-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent
.375 H&H Magnum
Direct descendants (3)
.416 Taylor.450 Marlin
Family TreeOpen .458 Winchester Magnum in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads285 factory loads for .458 Winchester Magnum↗FirearmsFirearms in .458 Winchester Magnum↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Introduced by Winchester in 1956 to give American hunters a capable dangerous-game cartridge that fit a standard magnum bolt action — specifically the Winchester Model 70 African. This eliminated the need for expensive British double rifles for elephant and buffalo hunting. Early pressure issues were resolved, and the cartridge has been carried by professional hunters across Africa for nearly 70 years. The .458 Lott was developed as an improved version after high-profile failures, but the Winchester Magnum remains widely available and respected.

FAQs

What twist rate does .458 Winchester Magnum use?
.458 Winchester Magnum typically uses a 1:14 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .458 Winchester Magnum?
.458 Winchester Magnum uses a 0.4579″ (11.63 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .458 Winchester Magnum still in production?
.458 Winchester Magnum is active; typical availability is common.
What is .458 Winchester Magnum used for?
.458 Winchester Magnum is primarily used for dangerous game, hunting.
What is .458 Winchester Magnum based on?
.458 Winchester Magnum is derived from the .375 H&H Magnum case.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 283 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →