If anyone has loading for the heaviest bullet in this load any info would be appreciated.

Was looking for the heaviest possible bullet to put thru my 460 XVR 8 3/8.

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YouJustCantSeeMeLaughingIsAll

Scrapper; Is 405 grains heavy enough?

I have heard of some folks taking a 45/70 lead bullet and sizing it to .452" and using them.

If it were me, I wouldn't push them too hard to start with because working the edges can really soften even the hardest cast bullet.

Not only that but the bullet would need to be "pre-lubed" so as not to put too much pressure on the sizing equipment.

Now, I haven't done this myself but have heard that it is being done. There are some really heavy bullets out there for the 45/70!

Hodgdon lists data for a 395gr lead bullet while Taffin tested 360gr.

I would think that a 360gr bullet going almost 1600fps would be good enough for just about any North American problem you could run into, as well as a few African ones!

My curiosity had me wondering. Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm gonna put the notes away for later use as I have to really perfect the 200 FTX and 360 WLNGC first and I'm gonna have plenty of fun doing that

I also loaded some 454 Casulls 300gn XTP Mags. I'm gonna slip some of those XTP's in the 460 also. my shooting time is very limited right now so I have a-lot of fun to look forward to later .

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YouJustCantSeeMeLaughingIsAll

I found these loads online. I do not remember where.

bullet powder charge velocity
240XTP H110 45 2084
H110 47
H110 48.5 2254
H4227 40 2018
H4227 45C 2198

300XTP H110 38 1825
H110 41
H110 42.5 2034
H4227 36 1856
H4227 40C 1998

I have found that 240gr XTP/MAG over 46gr H110 worked well in my 460 XVR 8 3/8.

Ditto on the Louisiana Joe's H110 load. If I do my part, it will shoot sub-moa groups at 100 yards off of a sandbag rest.

Thanks for the Good info everyone. I'm glad I joined this forum I learn so much here.

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YouJustCantSeeMeLaughingIsAll

I have a whole bunch of 350 grain LFN GC's, and I've shot them in most of my 45's. It takes 400 or more to get my attention in a .45.
Sonny

I hear there are 535gn lead available but i have to make a few phone calls next week to find out more.

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YouJustCantSeeMeLaughingIsAll

Scrapper, from what I've read the 460 Magnum wasn't created to push very heavy bullets. The operating pressure is very high already and trying to push a very heavy bullet raises the pressures even higher, too high. If you want to push really heavy bullets I suggest doing so in a 500 Magnum instead.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Hey thanks for the input ArchAngelCD. I hear some people have successfully ran heavier bullets thru it but what I really am interested in is how efficient are they. Personally I think I may be sticking with what I got so far but I never totally rule out other possibilities. I always try to do a-lot of asking Questions first.

Keep Warm and Good Night.

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YouJustCantSeeMeLaughingIsAll

How does 395 gr sound.
Try Here...
45/395gr. WLNGC/DC .452 dia 100 Count


Ken

Hey Aussie that bullet I'm also considering. I thought I would start with the 360gn WLNGC. This is the same company I bought the 360gn from.

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YouJustCantSeeMeLaughingIsAll

I agree. Altho I have tried heavier bullets, I've yet to find anything that shoots better or more consistently than Hornady's 240 and 300 gr XTP mag bullets outta my X-Frame. Since the largest thing I face in the woods is Whitetail or Black Bears, I have no real need for anything larger anyway. Still, all in all, it's a fun cartridge to play around with.

You guys got the experience with this gun so I am listening closely. Sounds like I'm gonna end up using the same loads you are (300 XTP Mag, etc.).

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YouJustCantSeeMeLaughingIsAll

Scrapper, you won't be giving up much using the lighter bullet. You can push a 300gr bullet close to 2000 fps. With those velocities you are achieving over 2660 ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle. That's no joke..! You will achieve less energy from a 400gr bullet @1700 fps.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

AA,
First Thank you.
I don't want anyone to get the impression that I was unhappy with the 460 Cartridge loaded with the recommended 200gn FTX, which I hand-load. I think it is quite powerful , accurate and adequate for big game out to reasonable distances out of a revolver.

I am always interested in hearing from those who have experience with it though. Input from you all sure helps me out a-lot and for that I am grateful.

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YouJustCantSeeMeLaughingIsAll

That's true, but the heavier bullet will out penetrate the lighter one every time, no ands, ifs, or buts, about it.

The lead bullet will also wear your barrel much less than a jacketed one, especially when firing them at the velocities attainable with the 460.

Scrapper-
there is an excellent article on handloading the 460 in Handloader #242 August/September 2006, by Brian Pearce. The following is a direct quote from the article, middle of the page, on page 76-

"To date, the revolver used for this article has had approximately1150 rounds through it. In examining the forcing cone area, some erosion has begun, but it is not enough to change the barrel cylinder gap and has not affected accuracy. For those who shoot heavyweight bullets, the erosion will be minimized. In discussing this point with the folks at Smith and Wesson, they indicated any issues would certainly be covered under the lifetime warranty."

You can get a backissue copy of that issue from Wolfe Publishing.

Heavier bullets cause less wear, not more. The same thing that the 125 vs. 158 in the .357 debate is all about.

As long as you use published, pressure tested data, there will be no more pressure for heavy bullets, than there will be for lighter ones.

The following loads are listed on page 81 of that same article.

395 gr, CPBC WLN GC
H-110 34.0 gr 1448 fps

Lil'Gun 34.0 gr 1477 fps
" " 36.5 gr 1586 fps................................Maximum


Remember that Lil'Gun has been shown to cause rapid throat erosion in high intensity rounds like the .454, 460, etc., so use at your own discretion.

Excellent info thanks Gun 4 Fun

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YouJustCantSeeMeLaughingIsAll

Glad to help...........always.

Hey guys,

I just wanted to add that I have been experimenting with some 420 grain .452 bullets that I got from Jae-Bok ( the maker of the legendary 45-70 Crater bullets). I have been getting great results with the Lil Gun powder and have not noticed any flame cutting after about 100 rounds. My max load shows no pressure signs but the recoil is VERY HEAVY to say the least. Everyone that has shot one of my hand loads has only shot one... LOL... My 460V with a non-ported end cap and these 420 grain bullets is not for the recoil shy...

Ben, pictures dude, pictures!

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

420 grain WFNGC bullets (9mm for comparison), S&W 460V with non-ported end cap...

SUUUUHHHHHHWWWEEEEEETTTTTT!

I have been reloading for the 460 for awhile know and have used Ranger Ricks bullets out of Alaska, I thought I read that he was bought out by another bullet mfg. Pictured below are some examples...a 535 gn WFNGC "bologna" style bullet loaded with 21.0 gns of H110...a 300gn "truncated" ftx style...a 265gn wad-cutter....also pictured for reference is a 275gn Barnes XPB

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I know I'm late to this party, but I recently sized some .45-70 515-520 grain bullets down to .452 and installed a gas check. loaded with 28 & 29 grains of Lil Gun and they showed no signs of over pressure and the recoil was not terrible out of my 8 3/8 barrel. Currently waiting for my Mountain Molds 400 grain custom mold to show up so I can start working my loads up for those!

Out of your S&W revolver lead bullets exceeding 500 grains leaves little room for powder.

I find lead in 360 grain range performs best (gas checked).

In the single shoots and BFR bullets up 740 grains can be accommodated.

As shown before picture of bullets for 460 in S&W revolvers.
I am sure there a some other lead bullets that could be added but I have not tried them.

I loaded them with 28 & 29 grains of Lil Gun and seated them to an overall length of 2.3 inches, just enough to clear the cylinder. Shot great, bucked a bit but really no more than some of my 260-360 grain bullets. I have read of a guy that loads to 30 grains of Lil Gun for 1350 fps average.

Remember the longer bullets and 460 twist are going to go side ways on you once you start trying to reach out past 100 yards.

As stated above the heaver bullets have limitations. Once you go longer than the 360 grain bullets your twist rate will not be sufficient to stabilize the bullet.

We have also turned down Some 500gr Barnes 458 bullets and shoot them out of the BFR. The are to long for the s@W but I have shortened them also to load in the S&W but results were not favorable enough to continue.

If you really want to push big lead out of the 460 cartridge you nee to get a BFR with a 14/1 twist and 3" long cylinder. We are shooting a 740 grain bullet (custom mold) out of those with reasonable results.

We are loading those 740 with IMR 4198 going 900 fps out 10" BFR.

Good luck and be safe
Ruggy

PS: I would concentrate on the 360 gr if you really want to shoot lead.

Borrowed photo showing the 740 next to 540 if I remember correctly. (BFR friends Photo)

Ruggy, I completely agree about the BFR twist and cylinder, When buying mine I spaced looking at the BFR and just bought the S&W. While I'm very happy with it, I think one could go just a bit further with the faster twist and longer cylinder. Meh, hindsight...
One of these days I'll be able to afford a second hand cannon.

Yeh! Looks like Ill load up some heavy 413 g beartooth.
Thinking 32.5 g of h110 . Any suggestions?

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Tony

Well it shot. No signs of pressure

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Tony

I saw a guy at a range in Lapeer, Mi on Friday shoot 410gr and 535gr lead bullets out of his Performance Center 460. He told me he got the bullets from a guy he knew in Alaska. I see someone else mentioned that same thing earlier. How would I get the sized down 410gr or 535gr bullets, as I don't have the ability to make/ size my own?

Misskimo,
I found a 405gr bullet on Bear tooth's site, but none that were 413gr. Did I miss something?

Your S&W won't stabilize these longer bullets very well, the 535 will be sideways at 100 yards.

Once you reach 360 grains you have already passed point of added value in respects to hunting and weight has no value for punching paper.

If it's because you can, than you need a BFR to really shoot heavy bullets.

Tony's 405s actually weight is around 413 (if they are the one I sent him)

I know you said you don't have the ability but you might reach out in your shooting community and find some to help you to resize .458 bullets to .452/.453 (which are typically how these guys are getting these weights).

You could also have custom molds made if you are set on pursuing bullets 405 and heavier, casting your own.

That is what several off us here have done to experiment and do their "because".

good luck and be safe
Ruggy

Ok, I found some bullets online that were 405 and 420 from Beartooth and Jae-Bok Young respectively. I may try those and see what they do. They are not cheap, so I will probably stay with the production bullets I shoot in 200-300gr. As they still are accurate out to 100 yrds+. I have 395 cast round from Corbon that I bought about 10 years ago. I only use those when I bear hunt as a "Back up" to my bow, as I prefer to archery hunt more than gun hunt. I was just curious to the Extremely heavy bullets after speaking to/ watching the guy Friday fire his 410's and 535's at 100 yrds. He seem to hit what he shot at, but the bullets could have hit sideways also as you mentioned. I had the "sideways" thing happen to me before with 75gr bullets out of my Howa 1500 22-250. The rifling is not 1-12 as it should be to stabilize. I found there I could only fire 64gr as the max weight for that rifle. Thanks for the input.

If your premise is you need heavy bullet for bear you have been mislead.

The heaviest bullet I have used to date is 300 grains on bear.
I have used 200 PBX grain Barnes, 240 grain cutting Edge Raptors, 260 CPS North Fork, and 300 XTP MAG.

Bear hunting and bear protection are two different things.

Protection means up close and personal, A 340-360 grain LFN or WFN loaded at 1400-1500 fps allows low recoil and full penetration of just about anything.
Just what is need when protecting yourself regardless of critter.

good luck and be safe
Ruggy

I'm glad I revisited this thread. I missed some post's in 2015 & 2016. Thanks for all the great relies everyone.

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YouJustCantSeeMeLaughingIsAll

This thread must be some kind of record!

Almost 12,000 views Started in 2010 went through 2011. Took a break untill 2015 and now 2016!

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Still Running Against the Wind

A few weeks ago I saw a show where the 460 was taken to AFRICA !!!!!

The bullet was the Hornady 300gr XTP.

A Eland and record Gemsbok were taken off of a stick rest.
Shots were at 100 yards or less.
The Eland took two shots to finish it off.
A large Eland can get up to 2,200 pounds.

Good hunting.

Yes, I have several boxes of 300gr XTP ammo for my 460. I just like trying new things to see it done. I won't run bullets like that consistently. I hunt deer with a 200gr FTX and think that is enough to work for what I am doing.

You should be using XTP MAG not XTP - both are available in 300 grain

Ok, thanks. I am set from loads for a while and will try the XTP Mags when I do more reloading.

Im guessing it was this gun


The bullets were 405gn out of a RCBS 45-405-FN mold.
RCBS 1-Cavity Bullet Mold 45-405-FN 45 Cal (458 Diameter) 405 Grain


And a 535gn bullet made by "Ranger Rick" in Homer Alaska. It is the one pictured on the right.



Rick no longer makes bullets and I haven't been able to find out who has his 535gn mold. I'm fairly certain the mold is actually a .458 mold that he sized down to .452 because he accidentally sent me some in .458 before.

I'm planning on looking for someone to send one of the bullets to and see if they can make the mold for them.

Look at that beast. I wonder how much compressed powder you can shove in the case.

22GN of H110

This is the load data straight from the guy that used to make those bullets.




I just sent one of the 300gn and the 535gn to a mold maker yesterday to have some molds made for myself.

Where did you get the "Pointed" 300gr bullets from? Are they available commercially?

They were from the same guy in Alaska (Ranger Rick) and he doesn't make bullets anymore. That's why I have a guy making the molds for me. That reminds me, I need to check on the progress of the molds

It's good to see this thread still going. I really like the S&W 460 Mag. Good Stuff!

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YouJustCantSeeMeLaughingIsAll

Great thread ! Later this year I plan on purchasing a Smithy 3-1 combo Lathe/Mill. I recently started casting my own projectiles. Moving forward I want to begin machining my own custom molds. Should keep me out of trouble into retirement. (at least in theory) LOL