9 of 9 .458 Lott factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for mule deer; the best reach 950 yd (Barnes VOR-TX Safari 500 gr Banded Solid RN). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes VOR-TX Safari 500 gr Banded Solid RN | 500 | 950 | 2,210 | 1,958 | yes |
| Norma African PH (Woodleigh Soft Nose) 550 gr | 550 | 850 | 2,100 | 1,677 | yes |
| Federal Safari Trophy Bonded Sledgehammer Solid 500 gr | 500 | 800 | 2,300 | 1,747 | yes |
| Hornady Dangerous Game Series 500 gr DGS | 500 | 750 | 2,300 | 1,544 | yes |
| Hornady Dangerous Game Series 500 gr DGX Bonded | 500 | 750 | 2,300 | 1,544 | yes |
| Federal Safari Trophy Bonded Bear Claw 500 gr | 500 | 700 | 2,300 | 1,465 | yes |
| Federal Safari Woodleigh Hydro Solid 500 gr | 500 | 650 | 2,250 | 1,294 | yes |
| Norma African PH Solids 500 gr Norma Solid | 500 | 650 | 2,198 | 1,295 | yes |
| Barnes VOR-TX Safari 500 gr TSX FB | 500 | 200 | 2,210 | 2,047 | yes |
Deer-class rules of thumb; a slightly bigger animal than a whitetail. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd. Floor used: 1,000 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: chuckhawks.com, www.petersenshunting.com.