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Compare / .458 Winchester Magnum vs .470 Nitro Express

Cartridge comparison

.458 Winchester Magnum vs .470 Nitro Express

.458 Winchester Magnum is faster (2,240 vs 2,200 fps); .458 Winchester Magnum carries more energy (5,570 vs 5,373 ft·lb); .458 Winchester Magnum recoils less.

.458 Winchester Magnum →
Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd
100 yd · zero0″−69″69″ drop @ 500 yd0250500Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.470 Nitro Express →
Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd
100 yd · zero0″−72″72″ drop @ 500 yd0250500Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.458 Winchester Magnum.470 Nitro Express
TypeRifleRifle
Introduced19561907
Bullet ⌀0.458″0.474″
Case length2.5″3.25″
Velocity2,050–2,240 fps2,100–2,200 fps
Energy5,336–5,570 ft·lb4,896–5,373 ft·lb
Max pressure60,000 psi39,160 psi
Recoil60–80 ft·lb65–85 ft·lb
Eff. range150 yd100 yd
ToolOverlay .458 Winchester Magnum and .470 Nitro Express trajectories in Ballistic Compare↗

FAQs

Is .458 Winchester Magnum faster than .470 Nitro Express?
.458 Winchester Magnum is faster — up to 2,240 fps versus 2,200 fps.
Does .458 Winchester Magnum hit harder than .470 Nitro Express?
.458 Winchester Magnum carries more muzzle energy (5,570 vs 5,373 ft·lb).