FN 458WM

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oldscot3

New member
I was browsing the used racks at my local gun store today and came across a fancy FN in 458 Win mag. It had highly figured (but somewhat dark) wood, some engraving, nice mounts and a fixed power Leupold scope. When I looked at it I noticed it was a push feed, then I lifted the bolt and...uhg, rust under the handle. I could also see rust around the crossbolt heads, too bad, it must be one of the dreaded "salt wood" guns. They offered to knock $300.00 off the tag which was priced at $1900.00. Uhm, thanks but that's a little out of a poor boys league. I thanked them for letting me handle it and left. I wondered later if I should have educated them and had them take the stock off, hope some other guy doesn't get stuck.
 
For the handloader, a 458 can do anything a 45 70 can, but a 45 70 can't do everything a 458 can.


BTW ...I looked at the FN, I never said I bought it.
 
If you are just wanting one, CDNN sports has new .458 Win mag md 70 Safari express for $1299. As long as they have had them, I a sure there is some negotiation in that price.
 
Sweet! K-Var has zastava made mausers; their 458 wm is about $900.00. Either one I'd jump on before I would even remotely consider paying $1600.00 for a rusty FN pushfeed. I suspect the one I spoke of in the op will be there for a long, long time.

BTW, I think CDNN is here in Texas, maybe I should bust open my piggy bank and go for a road trip.
 
Here's a 1959ish Browning/FN Safari after my first range trip---

405447956.jpg


All factory "Fusion" 500 grainers in a 7.2 pound rifle.
The black floaters in my eyes were stirred up and interfering with my vision for months after that trip. I haven't fired it since.
So Trailboss and lead bullets sound real reasonable to me.
-----krinko
 
What is that line down the stock? I hope it's a scratch not a split.

20 empties there, I can understand how that would be hard on the body.
 
There is a line of reflected light and several lines of dark wood grain, but no cracks or scratches.
-----krinko
 
I remember looking at one of those years ago.
I didn't even know they made a push-feed FN Browning but there it was.
Although we didn't call them "push-feed" at the time, I just saw it as a Sako extractor in a Mauser action.
I have not seen another since.
 
Waaaay too expensive, even for a Winnie.
(Don't like push feed either.)

And unless you are a re-loader/BigTimeAfricanHunter -- a safe queen.*






* (But if a handloader/caster, a most versatile cartridge)
 
Just to prevent any misunderstanding, the .458 in the photo is a purebred Magnum Mauser and has never associated with any of the lesser Browning-SAKO types.
Predates salt cured walnut, too.

411991558.jpg


-----krinko
 
Yep, you've got a nice one there, glad to know that was light reflection and not a crack.

I think the salt wood guns were from about `67 to `72 ish. Had the gun I looked at been one like yours, I could understand the asking price.
 
458 WM

I got a Mark-X Interarms 458 WM out the door for a little more than $400.Just over a week ago I took her to the rifle range to try out some cast bullets.The 458 WM has a case capacity slightly larger than a 45-90 and almost the same as the 45-100 Sharps.I have been using them as a referance point as they both are low pressure rounds and the 458 WM has a 53,000 CUP limit my margin for error is huge.There is not much out there for cast data for a 458.Still a 405 gr hollow base at 2,000 fps hurts on both ends.I have no doubt that it will take anything I am likely to come across but the drop is almost as bad as a rag armed wimp throwing a shotput.
 
From previous post on 458WinMag & Cast Low-Power:

Just know that if you intend to shoot BP/mid-power/45-70 cast
loads, the 458 is long-throated. While I could never get a 405gr
to shoot MOA, it does very much like long heavy bore-riding
bullets like
- The original 45-70 Lyman/500gr #457125, and
- The Lyman/535gr Postell #457132

Those, loaded down to 1,250-ish using AA5744, shoot superbly.
 
My custom made 338 Win Mag rifle, sports a FN Belgium receiver, that has a Mauser controlled round feed bolt.
 
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