Home › Browse Calibers › .458 Win. Mag.
Common uses: Dangerous Game, Big Game
| Type | rifle (centerfire) |
| Typical load | 500gr Nosler Safari Partition |
| Muzzle velocity | 2100 fps |
| Muzzle energy | 4897 ft-lb |
| Published G1 ballistic coefficient | 0.389 |
| Case length | 63.5 mm |
| Overall length | 84.8 mm |
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Drop (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2100 | 4895 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 1900 | 4008 | 0 |
| 200 | 1714 | 3260 | -8.1 |
| 300 | 1541 | 2637 | -28.2 |
| 400 | 1387 | 2136 | -62.9 |
| 500 | 1254 | 1745 | -115.8 |
At 1,000 yards, .458 Win. Mag. (500gr at 2100 fps, 100 yd zero, standard conditions) has a modeled come-up of about 76.1 MOA / 22.1 MIL, retaining 912 fps (subsonic).
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | State | Drop (in) | Elev (MOA) | Elev (MIL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 1541 | Supersonic | -28.2 | 9.0 | 2.61 |
| 400 | 1387 | Supersonic | -62.9 | 15.0 | 4.37 |
| 500 | 1254 | Transonic | -115.8 | 22.1 | 6.44 |
| 600 | 1146 | Transonic | -190.8 | 30.4 | 8.83 |
| 700 | 1064 | Subsonic | -292.3 | 39.9 | 11.60 |
| 800 | 1003 | Subsonic | -424.5 | 50.7 | 14.74 |
| 900 | 954 | Subsonic | -591.1 | 62.7 | 18.24 |
| 1000 | 912 | Subsonic | -796.3 | 76.1 | 22.12 |
Extended predictions beyond 500 yards are modeled from the same G1 engine — useful for initial DOPE, but outside the 500-yard manufacturer-table validation audit. Confirm with observed DOPE, especially near transonic.
A retained-energy reference only — not a shoot/don't-shoot distance. Real effective range depends on your accuracy, shot placement, bullet construction, and conditions. The ~1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized) and ~1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized) figures are commonly cited rules of thumb, not standards.
Your barrel, ammunition lot, and conditions will differ — always verify against the manufacturer's data and your own rifle.
The .458 Winchester Magnum is a definitive all-around dangerous-game cartridge, valued for driving heavy 500-grain bullets at moderate velocity to produce deep penetration and the massive frontal wounding needed to stop Africa's largest and most dangerous animals. Its reputation rests on affordability, near-universal availability in Africa, and the fact that it fits standard-length bolt actions rather than requiring an expensive double rifle. It is a classic choice for the Big Five, especially elephant, Cape buffalo, and other thick-skinned game at close range. Its limitations are heavy recoil, a rainbow trajectory, and short practical range, making it a specialist's tool rather than a general-purpose rifle. Early factory ammunition earned criticism for erratic, sometimes underpowered ball-powder loads, but modern loadings have restored consistent performance to its intended standard.
Winchester introduced the .458 Winchester Magnum in 1956, first chambering it in the Model 70 African rifle. Built on a shortened, belted magnum case of the .375 H&H lineage, it was designed to deliver the stopping power of British big-bore Nitro Express rounds in an affordable, widely available bolt-action platform. It quickly became a standard dangerous-game cartridge for professional hunters in Africa.
Run this cartridge in the ballistic calculator · Compare it against another cartridge · How this data is produced