9 of 9 .458 Win Mag factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for mule deer; the best reach 800 yd (Barnes VOR-TX Safari 450 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 450 gr Banded Solid RN | 450 | 800 | 2,240 | 1,660 | yes |
| Federal Safari Trophy Bonded Bear Claw 400 gr | 400 | 700 | 2,250 | 1,450 | yes |
| Federal Safari Trophy Bonded Sledgehammer Solid 500 gr | 500 | 700 | 1,950 | 1,311 | yes |
| Hornady Dangerous Game Series 500 gr DGS | 500 | 700 | 2,140 | 1,364 | yes |
| Hornady Dangerous Game Series 500 gr SPF DGX Bonded | 500 | 700 | 2,140 | 1,364 | yes |
| Federal Safari Trophy Bonded Bear Claw 500 gr | 500 | 650 | 2,090 | 1,263 | yes |
| Norma African PH Solids 500 gr Norma Solid | 500 | 600 | 2,100 | 1,217 | yes |
| Federal Safari Woodleigh Hydro Solid 500 gr | 500 | 550 | 2,050 | 1,147 | yes |
| Barnes VOR-TX Safari 450 gr TSX FB | 450 | 200 | 2,240 | 1,695 | 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.