Hornady 8585 Dangerous Game 458 Win Mag 500 gr Dangerous Game Solid: Unrivaled Power for the World's Most Formidable Beasts

When facing the world's most formidable and dangerous game, there is no room for compromise. The stakes are incredibly high, demanding ammunition that delivers unyielding stopping power, deep penetration, and absolute reliability. For the experienced hunter pursuing Africa's legendary Big Five or any other critically dangerous animal, the Hornady 8585 Dangerous Game .458 Win Mag 500 gr Dangerous Game Solid (DGS) stands as the definitive choice. This isn't just ammunition; it's a critical component of a successful, ethical, and safe hunting expedition.

Who is this ammunition for, and what problem does it solve?

This specialized ammunition is designed for the discerning hunter, professional hunter, or safari outfitter who understands that marginal performance can have catastrophic consequences when confronting thick-skinned, large, and potentially aggressive animals. If you're planning an African safari to hunt Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino, or even Lion and Leopard, or venturing into the Alaskan wilderness for colossal Brown Bears or Polar Bears, the fundamental question often becomes: "What is the most reliable ammunition for dangerous game encounters?" The Hornady 8585 DGS answers this question directly. It solves the critical problem of ensuring sufficient penetration and energy transfer to anchor the most resilient animals, even from adverse angles or when breaking through dense bone structures.

The Philosophy Behind Hornady Dangerous Game Ammunition

Hornady has long been a trusted name in ammunition, renowned for its commitment to innovation, precision, and quality. Their Dangerous Game series embodies this ethos, specifically engineered for life-and-death situations in the field. The series is often conceived as a potent one-two punch: the Hornady DGX® (Dangerous Game eXpanding) Bonded bullet, designed for controlled expansion and massive energy transfer on initial impact, followed by the Hornady DGS® (Dangerous Game Solid) for maximum straight-line penetration.

While some loads feature both DGX and DGS in a single box for immediate follow-up shots, the Hornady 8585, with its 500-grain Dangerous Game Solid bullet, is singularly focused on the latter: delivering unparalleled deep penetration. This design choice is deliberate and crucial for certain game and scenarios.

Unleashing the Power of the .458 Winchester Magnum

The .458 Winchester Magnum is a legendary cartridge, specifically developed in the mid-20th century to provide American hunters with a high-performance big-bore rifle cartridge capable of taking any game animal on Earth. It quickly became the benchmark for cartridges designed for dangerous game hunting in Africa.

• Historical Significance: The .458 Win Mag was designed to deliver the stopping power of older, slower black powder big-bore cartridges but in a modern, bolt-action rifle format. Its introduction revolutionized dangerous game hunting by making powerful rifles more accessible and affordable.
• Raw Power: This cartridge is known for its incredible kinetic energy and momentum. The Hornady 8585 load, with its 500-grain DGS bullet, launches at an impressive 2140 feet per second (fps) at the muzzle, generating a staggering 5084 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) of muzzle energy. What does this mean in practical terms? It translates to tremendous "knock-down" power and the ability to drive a heavy, non-deforming bullet through the toughest hide, muscle, and bone structures found on the planet's largest animals.
• Terminal Ballistics: For hunters facing a charging Cape Buffalo or needing to make a brain shot on an elephant, terminal ballistics are paramount. The .458 Win Mag, especially with a heavy-for-caliber solid like the 500 gr DGS, provides the necessary momentum and penetration to reach vital organs from nearly any angle, ensuring an ethical and quick dispatch.

The 500 Grain Dangerous Game Solid (DGS): Engineered for Ultimate Penetration

The heart of the Hornady 8585 ammunition is its 500-grain Dangerous Game Solid bullet. Unlike expanding bullets designed to mushroom and transfer energy rapidly, the DGS is built for maximum, straight-line penetration, making it ideal for specific hunting scenarios.

• Monolithic Construction (often): While the specific internal construction can vary slightly over product generations, Hornady DGS bullets are typically designed with a very tough, often monolithic or heavily jacketed core. This construction ensures the bullet retains virtually 100% of its weight upon impact, maintaining its integrity as it smashes through obstacles.
• Why a Solid Bullet? "When should I use a solid bullet instead of an expanding one?" This is a common question among big game hunters. The answer lies in the unique challenges posed by certain animals:
  • Bone-Breaking Power: Animals like Cape Buffalo and Elephant have incredibly dense bone structures (shoulder, skull). An expanding bullet might deform and stop prematurely, but a solid bullet is engineered to break through these barriers and continue its path to the vitals.
  • Deep, Straight-Line Penetration: When an animal presents a quartering-away shot, or if a follow-up shot is required on a wounded beast, the ability of a solid to penetrate deeply and predictably in a straight line is indispensable. It can reach the heart or lungs even through large amounts of tissue.
  • Brain Shots on Elephant: For an ethical brain shot on an elephant, especially from the front, a solid bullet is absolutely essential to penetrate the thick skull and reach the brain cavity.
  • Stopping Charges: In a true charge scenario, the goal is to stop the animal as quickly as possible. The heavy, non-deforming DGS provides the kinetic energy and momentum to create a massive wound channel and disrupt critical systems, giving the hunter maximum confidence.
• Precision and Consistency: Hornady produces these bullets with strict quality controls. Each 500-grain DGS bullet is meticulously crafted to ensure consistent weight, shape, and balance. This translates to superior accuracy downrange, which is vital when placing precise shots on dangerous game.

Mastering the Hunt: Applications and Ethical Considerations

The Hornady 8585 .458 Win Mag 500 gr DGS is purpose-built for the world's most challenging hunts.

• African Big Five:
  • Cape Buffalo: Often considered the most dangerous animal to hunt in Africa. Their thick hide, massive bone structure, and aggressive nature demand an ammunition that can break bone and penetrate deeply from any angle. The DGS excels here, especially for follow-up shots or breaking shoulders.
  • Elephant: For brain shots, or even body shots requiring penetration through dense muscle and bone, the DGS is the gold standard. Its ability to maintain integrity and drive deep is paramount.
  • Rhinoceros: Similar to elephants in their massive build and thick skin, requiring maximum penetration.
  • Lion & Leopard: While often pursued with expanding bullets for rapid energy dump, a solid can be critical in a charge situation or for a raking shot that requires deep penetration through dense muscle and bone.
• North American & Global Dangerous Game:
  • Brown Bear/Grizzly Bear: These large predators possess immense strength and thick hide. A 500-grain solid in .458 Win Mag provides the power needed to stop a charge or anchor a wounded bear.
  • Polar Bear: Hunting in extreme conditions requires absolute reliability. The DGS offers the necessary penetration for this formidable apex predator.
  • Dangerous Wild Boar/Hogs: While not always considered "dangerous game" on the scale of African plains, massive wild boars can be incredibly tough and aggressive, especially in close quarters. The DGS provides overwhelming power.

Ethical hunting dictates that hunters use ammunition capable of a swift and humane kill. The overwhelming stopping power and penetration capabilities of the Hornady 8585 DGS ensure that, when properly placed, the bullet performs its duty efficiently, minimizing animal suffering and maximizing hunter safety.

The Hornady Advantage: Precision, Consistency, and Regulation

What sets Hornady apart in the highly competitive ammunition market? Beyond the specific bullet design, it's their unwavering commitment to overall load quality.

• Optimized Powders: Hornady carefully matches powders to each load. This meticulous process ensures not only optimum pressure and velocity for peak performance but also that the ammunition "regulates" properly in double rifles. Rifle regulation is crucial for double rifles, meaning both barrels shoot to the same point of aim at a specific distance. In a dangerous game scenario, having a perfectly regulated rifle and consistent ammunition is not merely a convenience but a necessity for quick, accurate follow-up shots.
• Strict Quality Controls: From the selection of premium brass casing material (known for its durability and reloadability) to the seating of the bullet and the crimping process, Hornady employs stringent quality controls. This attention to detail guarantees consistency from round to round, box to box, and case to case. Hunters can have absolute confidence that every single Hornady 8585 cartridge will perform identically, shot after shot.
• Reliability in Extreme Conditions: Dangerous game hunts often take place in remote, challenging environments, subject to extreme temperatures, humidity, or dust. Hornady ammunition is designed to perform reliably under these demanding conditions, ensuring that your shot counts when it matters most.

Preparing for the Expedition: Beyond the Ammunition

While choosing the right ammunition like the Hornady 8585 is paramount, a successful dangerous game hunt involves many other considerations. Hunters must ensure their rifle is properly sighted in, practice extensively with their chosen ammunition to understand its recoil and point of impact, and select a reputable professional hunter or outfitter. The ammunition is the final link in the chain of preparation, delivering the decisive force needed at the moment of truth.

For serious hunters who demand the pinnacle of performance and reliability when facing the world's most dangerous animals, the Hornady 8585 Dangerous Game .458 Win Mag 500 gr Dangerous Game Solid is the clear choice. It provides the confidence and capability to ensure a safe and successful expedition.

This exceptional ammunition, identified by its UPC 090255385854, is available at trusted retailers like DEGuns.com. Ensure you are equipped with the best for your next critical hunt.

Product Specifications & Features

The table below summarizes the key specifications and features of the Hornady 8585 Dangerous Game .458 Win Mag 500 gr Dangerous Game Solid ammunition.

Feature	Specification	Purpose / Benefit
Brand	Hornady	Renowned for quality and innovation in ammunition.
Model Series	Dangerous Game	Specifically designed for high-stakes, dangerous game hunting.
Caliber	.458 Winchester Magnum	Powerful big-bore cartridge for the world's largest animals.
Bullet Type	Dangerous Game Solid (DGS)	Non-expanding, engineered for maximum straight-line penetration.
Bullet Weight	500 grains	Heavy bullet for immense momentum and stopping power.
Muzzle Velocity	2140 feet per second (fps)	High speed for excellent energy delivery.
Muzzle Energy	5084 foot-pounds (ft-lbs)	Devastating power for anchoring dangerous game.
Rounds Per Box	20	Standard quantity for serious hunters.
Boxes Per Case	6	Convenient bulk packaging for expeditions.
Casing Material	Brass	Durable, reliable, and often reloadable.
Application	Hunting	Primary use: pursuit of big and dangerous game.
Game Type	Big Game	Ideal for Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Bears, etc.
SKU	8585	Manufacturer's Stock Keeping Unit.
UPC	090255385854	Universal Product Code for identification.