I have been looking to buy a large frame revolver that I can mount a scope on to do some longer range target shooting, in the 100+ yard range. I have narrowed it down to either the 460Mag or a model 629 44Mag. I know there is a fairly large price difference between these two calibers in both the cost of the revolver itself and the ammo. I do like the fact that the 460 will also allow the use of 45LC and the 454 casull and there is also the "COOL FACTOR" that the 460 has. I have shot the 44Mag but I haven't had the chance to shoot the 460. In the real world, I feel like the 44 would probably be the best choice, but the 460 mag. just has a mystic about it.

I would like to hear from those that has been able to compare both of these calibers and hear what your thoughts are, other than the cost factor. Will the 44mag work in the 100 yard + range.

Thanks in advance.

if you haven't fired a bunch of factory type 44 mag ammo, you probably won't like the 460 with that caliber of ammo. lots of blast and lots of recoil. if you still want one, go for the 45 colt ammo and gradually move to 454 casull. only after you have mastered that do you move to the real deal. lots of these guns and the 500 mags were sold with a partial box of ammo after they were fired by their owners. reloading these are a huge advantage in getting used to them and considerable cost savings.

The .44 Magnum will shoot well at 100 yards, if you do your job well. You will definitely want a 6" or longer barrel for shooting at that range. Many years ago, I regularly shot a Model 29-2 6 1/2" at 100-150 yards; however, I shot every day, and was very well practiced.

Ballistically, though, the .460 has a definite edge over the .44 at long ranges, it is a much flatter shooting round. Again, you should look for a long barrel (preferably 8 3/8" or longer). To shoot it well at that range will, of course, take practice.

I recommend reloading for either, or both, cartridges, in order to tailor your loads to the gun and the use you put them to, as well as saving money. In fact, you will probably need to reload for either caliber in order to avoid going broke with the amount of practice you will need.

BTW, don't count the .500 Magnum out as an effective cartridge at those ranges.I regularly shoot both my 500s at 100 yards (4" and 8 3/8" barrels), and frequently shoot the long barrel 500 at 150-200 yards (iron sights, BTW - no handgun scopes for me).

I would vote for the 44 magnum with a longer barrel for the 100 yard criteria that you mentioned.

The 44 mag has stood the test of time. BTW I have a really nice 57 6" that I bought 25 years ago. Great gun and I do reload for it. I have taken a few white tail deer with it. I have a 629-1 4" that I shoot infrequently. Also reload for it. Pretty brutal for a lot of shooting in one day.

I have also been thinking of adding a 460 or a 500 to my arsenal. Which one is going to be a "41 mag" of the future? I am getting old and trying to figure out which one would be the best resale value. If I was a young whipper snapper I think I would place my bet on the 500. Just my 2 cents.

Being a big bore revolver lover, I have the Taurus 6 3/8" .454 Casull Raging Bull, Ruger 7 3/8" .480, S&W 8 3/8" .460XVR, S&W JR 5" .500 Magnum, S&W 6 1/2" .500 Magnum, S&W 6 1/2" 629 .44 Magnum as well as other .44 Magnums.
If you're used to shooting the .44 Magnum, I'd personally get the S&W 8 3/8" .460XVR.
To me it doesn't have that much more recoil as my S&W 8 3/8" 29-2 .44 Magnum.
And as you said, with the .460 you will also be able to fire the .454 Casull as well as the .45 Colt.
Fireing the .454 Casull is a bit more powerful than the Ruger .480.
But I feel you'll have more enjoyment with the ranges of rounds with the .460XVR.
Also, just for target shooting for fun, firing the .45 Colt won't cost that much as the .460 ammo.
Also the .454 casull isn't that expensive.
But you will need to also get used to firing the .460 ammo which isn't that bad, a bit more recoil than the .454 Casull.

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S&W .500 Magnums RULE !

Two things that have not been mentioned. 1.For your intensions I recommend you consider a Performance Center revolver. I have a PC 629-7 Magnum Hunter that I love to shoot. Has a great smooth and easy action, single or double. I purchased a new 629-6 Backpacker. After shooting just 18 rounds last week, this past Monday I sent it to the Performance Center for an action job. 2) You can also shoot
.44 Specials in a .44 mag. Good luck.

Well after reading the post and looking at the pros and cons of the 44-MAG and the 460-MAG, I went with the S&W Performance Center 12" 460 Mag. I like the fact that I can shoot the 454 Casull and also the less expensive 45LC and use the 460 for the long range shooting. I may now even consider getting back into hunting again.

I think you made a great decision but lets not kid ourselves. Who actually does this? Yeah, I said the same thing when I bought my .460, and my .44, and my .357. The fact is none of these guns are as fun or as accurate with the watered down loads. Unless you are teaching a new shooter or letting the Mrs. take a turn, then you know as well as I do that its on a steady diet of .460 loads.

YMMV, but I doubt it

i use my 500 performance center to hunt with...so far i have taken a merino ram,4-horn ram,mouflon ram,and several 300lb boars....shoots like a dream!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

My preferance is the 460 S&W
If you look back through the posting this discussion has been done several times in the last 4 months

I have a 629-6 with a 6 inch barrel, and a friend has the .460 with a 8 3/8 barrel. If the revolver was primarily for hunting I would take the .460, if it is generally for plinking and informal target work I like the 6 inch N frames even at 100 yards. For me the N frame is better balanced than the X frame, so it seems to point more naturally and I shoot it better. I like the 6 inch half lug barrels best.