The 460s&w to me is a natural progression moving up from the 44mag. I have the 8 3/8" XVR...it shoots straight and flat! Much flatter than the 44mag when you are talking 100-200+ yds...I think if I was going to carry it around the 5" would be more doable. I may need to get one! But all that said, it is fun to shoot, I plan to hunt with mine. I don't bother with reduced loads, I load my own which makes the 460 very affordable to shoot. I've never shot the 454 or 45LC rounds out of mine.