I was just thinking if I just had to choose one of them which would it be. What have your choices been and why ? I hunt deer a little so that is what it will mainly be used for. I have both guns and like both of them but I really just need one of them. Just looking for some input on my choice.

I was just thinking if I just had to choose one of them which would it be. What have your choices been and why ? I hunt deer a little so that is what it will mainly be used for. I have both guns and like both of them but I really just need one of them. Just looking for some input on my choice.

Well...with the 460 you have the advantage of also being able to use 45 Colt and 454 Casull in it. Plus, the 460 cartridge itself would be a better long range round than the 500. For me, I can never see myself taking a 250 yard shot with any handgun...so in my case, the added range capability of the 460 round would be a waste.

OTOH, the 500 is the ultimate in cool!! Plus, the choice of bullet weights that are available to the 500 owner are truly amazing. Everything from 275gr all the way up to 700gr!

It all boils down to what you like. For deer hunting, either will serve you well.

All three of my X-frames are 500s.

As Dan mentioned, I have 275 grain JHPs loaded light up to 725 grain wad cutters that hit like sledgehammers. Here is one of my 725s shown next to the Federal factory loaded, 250 grain, Cast Core, 41 Magnum, hunting load.


My favorite load is the 385 grain Remington Core Lokt HP sitting over 40 grains of H110. This is not a maximum load by any means. However it is accurate, hard hitting and easy to shoot. Here are some loaded rounds pictured alongside some Remington factory, 170 grain, SJHP, 41 magnum rounds.


Barrel lengths run from 2 3/4" to 12". You could even use one for Concealed Carry if you so chose. The 4" is one of my favorites.


Though I have to say that the snubby is a hoot to shoot. I bought it just for the fun.

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"Acta non verba"

My three X frame guns are .500s: a standard 4", a 5" John Ross Special, and a 6 1/2" PC Hunter. If you reload, it really doesn't matter which caliber you prefer.

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Tom

Previous posters covered the issue well. They're both seriously powerful handguns. If you were going to go after the biggest game, get the .500 for sure. The .460 would be nearly as good on the big stuff and has the versatility advantage. Can't go wrong with either one, in my opinion. Don

For Tom C, how does the recoil on the Ross Special compare to that of the 6.5" PC which is what I have pending the addition of a 6.5" barreled half lug? Don

The JRS has a 5" barrel, no comp, and weighs 57.3 oz. The 6 1/2" PC Hunter has a comp, weighs 70 oz. without scope and 84 oz. with the 2x Weaver scope, in Warne QD mounts I use. They are quite different. The JRS rotates in the hand more. The PC Hunter is more of a straight push. The extra weight helps reduce the recoil of the PC Hunter.

The JRS is a closer match to the standard 4" gun. My 4" weighs 56.25 oz. The comp makes it a lot louder, reduces vertical roll in the hand, but recoil doesn't seem to be much different, but the reaction of the guns is different.

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Tom

.460 go "BANG". .500 go "BOOM"! I like "BOOM"!

I like boom better myself. I have two, a 4" and an early 8 3/8" with the permanent comp, have shot both quite a bit, the long gun extensively.

Is the John Ross gun still available?

I hate to make decisions like that so I have both! I like them both however I shoot the 500 more.

I only have the 460 (PC model with 7 1/2" barrel). I would love to try a 500 and will hopefully purchase one someday.
Regarding my 460, I love it. I'm going deer hunting this weekend in Iowa with it, scoped and will be sitting in blind. I'll be using the Hornady 200 gr rounds. Past summer, did a bunch of plinking with 45 LC rounds which are cheap to shoot and hardly kick at all.

I would have figured the 460 would have been the gun of choice for most folks. I my just have to give the 500 another try before I decide to sell it. Thanks for all the helpfull information and good shooting.

You've never shot a .460 have you? I have a 460V and I can assure you it goes BOOM and scares the living daylights out of anyone in the range. "*** was that?" is a VERY common expression after the 1st round. I had a whole line of cops step back once to see what I was shooting and one even commented "Even if you missed him you gave him a heart attack"

I chose the 460 because, as pointed out earlier, I have 3 bullet options. With 500 bullets about $3 a pop I can shoot 460 for 1/2 that or shoot 45 Colt a lot cheaper. Don't get me wrong, I still want a 500 but when I had the option the 460V made more sense and I enjoy shooting it a lot.

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NRA Endowment Member

I'd go with the 500 since I already have a Casull, so .45 is covered.

The .460 is better for long range, but if I can't do it with the Casull, I'm in the wrong business and the .500 is the next level thumper.

I have the 5" 460v & the 4" model 500...both go big time BOOM!

This summer I had a large groundhog/wood chuck digging under my deck steps...tough & dangerous shooting angle. So I blew a round off from each gun near where he was digging. The groundhog was about 10' away. Can you say "blown eardrums?" Never saw the critter again.

The concussion blast from these 2 monsters are incredible...we are talking auditory suicide if proper ear protection is not worn.

I use the Hornady 200 grain SST's for the 460v. Best price I have found is MidwayUSA.com at $27.00 for 20 count box...sometimes on sale for $24.

Hornady 300 grain SST's are used in the 500 at $55/box.

Anyone considering purchasing the 460 or 500 remember the S&W $75 rebate is good through December 31st. S&W website has the rebate form.

Niether. I'll keep by 4" .44 magnum, thank you very much.

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????? ???E!

When I bought my 460V last year they had a deal to get a Sigma for $100. Kind of a no brainer for me. The gun shop had a bit of a screw up as well so I got a free holster out of it too.

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NRA Endowment Member

I agree!!! I foolishly pulled the trigger ONCE, right after buying it, even though I didn't have hearing protection with me. One of those "can't wait" moments we have from time to time. NEVER AGAIN! My left ear immediately went "deaf" while the right was ringing like you wouldn't believe. Took an hour or so to get my hearing right.

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NRA Endowment Member

Regarding hearing protection, I find that double protection (plugs and ear muffs) not only gives you much better protection, it also tends to reduce perceived recoil.

Your ears aren't being assaulted and the recoil seems relatively diminished. Don

I too got the .460 originally for the option of using .45colt and .454 ammo. Plus the fact that factory loads for the .460 were half as much as those for the .500. Now that I reload, I don't know which I would get if I were to get another. I do know I would never sell my PC Compensated Hunter.......it's just way too much fun to shoot, and it has proved to be more accurate than I ever expected.

+1 on the hearing protection and the looks at the local gun range. I've yet to shoot the .460 at the range with others there without someone coming up and asking "Can I give that a try?" I usually oblige, and they walk away with a big kool-aid smile on their face sayin' "I gotta get me one of those!"

I was considering one of those two, but I think I'll wait for the new .493 Eargeshplitten-Loudenboomin to hit the market.

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Jim

Thank you 460v for the post on the rebate. I bought a 5 inch 460 a couple weeks ago and of course the guy at Sportsman's Warehouse didn't bother to mention anything about a rebate.

So, thank you very much for the information! Paper work filled out and in the envelope!

Houndog2

Thought I'd followup as I commented earlier about owning a PC 460 w/ 7 1/2" barrel and going deer hunting in Iowa this past weekend. 30 minutes in blind on opening morning, a nice high raced 9 pointer walked by. Shot him at 60 yards and bullet went through both shoulders. My first whitetail with a handgun. I do admit there was a lot of muzzle flash in the blind from the gun. I was wearing ear protection which are needed as others mention.

I went with the 460 because I like speed. LOL Plus the idea of shooting 3 different loads was nice (even though I only shoot 460 thru it). Now that I have the taste, I want a 500 also.

Since I reload, I love experimenting with different loads. So far my favorite bullet for the 460 is the Hornady 240 grain XTP Mag bullet. I did find out almost the hard way that you DO NOT use magnum primers in it as it raises preasure needlessly.

Yes. www.john-ross.net

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JR, the 500 Specialist

If you don't mind me asking John, how many of your 500s have you sold to date? Hope it works out for you. Don

If I were going to buy one, which I am not, I owould go with the 460 just because I could shoot 454 and 45 in it.

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Forum consigliere

The 460xvr all the way..I allways use large rifle magnum primers when i;m reloading for my 460xvr.........ROGER

460V... I like the 5 inch and the fact you can shoot the 460 Magnum, 454 and the 45 Colt. Great Gun !!!

Which one is easier to mount in the turret?

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Oh well, what the hell.