.458×2-inch American

.458×2 inch American
The .458×2-inch is nearly identical to the .450 Marlin (left) except that its belt is the same length as that of the .458 Winchester Magnum (right).
Type Rifle
Place of origin USA
Production history
Designer Frank Barnes
Designed 1962
Variants .450 Marlin
Specifications
Parent case .458 Winchester Magnum
Case type Straight belted
Bullet diameter .458 in (11.6 mm)
Neck diameter .481 in (12.2 mm)
Base diameter .513 in (13.0 mm)
Rim diameter .532 in (13.5 mm)
Rim thickness .050 in (1.3 mm)
Case length 2.000 in (50.8 mm)
Case capacity 73 gr H2O (4.7 cm3)

The .458×2-inch American is a straight, belted, .458 caliber (11.6 mm) big bore cartridge designed by Frank Barnes. It is based on the .458 Winchester Magnum shortened to 2-inch (51 mm).[1]

General Information

The .458×2-inch American was designed as a medium power big bore cartridge by Frank Barnes for North American big game. Frank Barnes found that the .458 Winchester Magnum and the .460 Weatherby Magnum too powerful for North American big game and believed that a cartridge of lesser power would be ample for the task.[1]

The cartridge has the power required to take all North American big game species. It is also adequate for African dangerous game in close cover.[1]

The .450 Marlin and the .458×2-inch American are very similar cartridges. The cartridges are essentially the same length. However, the .450 Marlin will not chamber in the .458×2-inch American as the belt on the .450 Marlin is considerably wider. The .458×2-inch American should not be fired in a .450 Marlin as failures may occur. While not interchangeable, the .458×2-inch American will do anything the .450 Marlin is capable of accomplishing,[2] and converting such a rifle to .450 Marlin is fairly straightforward.

The .458×2-inch American was intended for bolt action rifles. The first rifle chambered for the cartridge was a Remington Model 722. The cartridge also can be chambered for the Winchester Model 94 lever action rifle.[1]

Ammunition can be made from .375 H&H Magnum cases and cases derived from it, including the .458 Winchester Magnum. Dies are available from RCBS and chamber reamers from H&M Tool Company.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Barnes, Frank C. (2006) [1965]. Skinner, Stan, ed. Cartridges of the World (11th ed.). Gun Digest Books. p. 189. ISBN 0-89689-297-2.
  2. ↑ Taffin, John (June 2001). "The .450 Marlin A Magnum In Disguise". Gun Magazine. Firearms Marketing Group. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
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