I used my new XVR with 200gr. Horneday ammo with a very loud muzzle blast. I hunted using electronic ear protection which worked pretty well, but were very uncomfortable for extended use. My question is if I were to use 454 ammo instead of the 460 ammo would the muzzle blast be as loud? Is the recoil of the 454 as heavy as the 460? The ear protection wouldn't be to bad in situations where you had the cover and or distance to put on the muffs without detection but the area I was stuck hunting was un-scouted and from a portable ground blind which would only amplify the sound. Is it the porting that causes the extreme sound, or just the nature of the caliber? and is there any device to quiet it down legally?

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its a boomer!!i dont see much differance in the 454 and 460 rounds...then again i'm shooting them in the snub version

Sorry to say it's going to be loud one way or another .

RR

The porting helps with recoil, but is responsible for much of the noise that gets back to you or the fellow on either side of you. The 460 is so heavy that I didn't notice the recoil.

Sonny

Welcome to the other side. I use ear plugs and muffs while shooting my XVR. Please never shoot the beast without hearing protection.

So the short answer seems to be-live with it, I can do that, thanks

If you shoot the XVR without protection, you might not be able to live with the constant ringing in your ears.

It's just loud...

.454 sure seemed tame out of the big X-frame...I felt a noticeable decrease in recoil when I'd switch from .460 loads. They're still pretty loud, though.

+1 on ALWAYS wearing hearing protection. After dropping a grand on a fine revolver like the XVR, I'd pony up the cash for comfortable electronic muffs for hunting like the 24db NRR Walker's Game Ear Quad muffs...I haven't tried Peltor or ProEars, but have heard good things about them as well. One to two-hundred bucks at Midway/Cabela's/Bass Pro should do the trick...and they're all on sale right now

Even with my melon-head, I can wear my Quad muffs all day, they amplify ambient sound, and I can hear directionally...directional hearing is a must in my book, if you're a serious hunter or happen to be in an area with dangerous game. When I'm at the range I will double up with some plugs too.

All I can say is...don't use plugs and hunt deaf, and definitely don't make the mistake of shooting that cannon without protection...all it takes is one shot with that thing and the ringing silence will be with you a lifetime. Best wishes to you.

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grit

I did use directional electronic headphones hunting, however I didn't shoot so I didn't know how effective they are. They were uncomfortable though (I wear glasses) and weren't as good as I should have bought, but compared to the alternative I guess they weren't that bad. Thanks all for the advice.

I heard some bad things about the 460 from expert hunters...then I got one and found out for myself that it was very versatile and accurate.

After some hand-loading and trips to the range I had to come to the conclusion that the bad things I heard about had to be the people handling the firearm or there was some problems being worked out in the early stages of development.

All I know is it's a keeper for me.

Happy Holidays All

The porting does not help with recoil, but more muzzle lift. Even with an end-cap installed the S&W 460 is loud. A lot has to do with the pressures it runs.

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