I'm looking into buying a cannon handgun! I don't know which revolver to buy? Can you guys give me your honest opinion of the two above mentioned guns? It will be used mainly for plinking and maybe deer hunting. Thanks in advance!

Try this thread

there are lots of other threads containing a varity of information on the X frames

460 xvr 3.5" vs 500 4"

Go big or go home... 500magnum

plain and simple... the 460 offers more options.... mild to wild

460 magnum
454 casull
45 long colt
45 schofield
45 auto rim

For bragging rights the 500. For utility and everything else, the 460. Reloading options will be more plentiful with the 460 as well. Will you buy one and still want the other? Yes

I have the 500 mag, get the 460 for versatility.

The .460 and a .454 lever action rifle to keep it company.

45 Auto Rim ???

"You wanna die with a man's gun. Not a little sissy gun like that." Jefe (Tony Plana) said it best!

45 auto rim is a rimmed version of the 45 auto. It was made to use in 45 acp revolvers without needing moon clips.

45 auto rim won't work in 460 or 45 LC revolvers because the auto rim's rim is way to thick. The cylinder wouldn't close.

If you want speed and a flatter trajectory go with the 460mag as it's currently the fastest production handgun made in the world..

If you want the most powerful production handgun in the world, ya gotta go with the 500!! Which is what I presently own!!

While the 460 is more versatile in that it'll handle the 454 Casull and the .45 Colt, the 500 can be made versatile as well by rolling your own loads!!

Both of these guns have been referred to as a "Reloaders Gun" due to ammo cost and the added benefit of tailoring the round to the shooters personal taste as far as power/speed and bullet size..

Have fun deciding and let us know what you get!!

BTW, here's a pic of mine!!

Attached Images

100_1598 resize.jpg (124.2 KB, 102 views)

I own a 460 and I bought it because of its versatility. As mentioned, reloading is the way to go with either of these pistols.

Can't decide? Get one of each.

.



.

__________________
Waiting for the break of day

I have the 460 for all the reason mentioned above. Either gun will drop any game in North America but the 460, I believe gives you many more options if you reload.

In my opinion, the correct answer. I have shot them all and the 460 cartridge options would make that my choice every time.

had a 460 and enjoyed it but the novelty wears off eventually then it sits in the safe. sold it a year ago. I imagine the same thing with would occur with a 500.
.44 mag is as big as I go in a handgun these days. now a .460 or .500 lever gun is on my want list

If you are under 30, and don't rely on the use of your wrists for anything important, then get the 500, otherwise the 460 is the only one that makes sense.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I did not know that... thanks... I thought auto rim and long colt had about same rim...

I do like my 460 but l find l shoot my 629 Magnum Hunter a HUNDRED times for every time I shoot my 460 PC Hunter Once.....Its just so big and heavy to be fun...Kinda like owning a Mazda Miata and a HellCat...707 HP is nice to brag about...Miata is a lot more fun to drive...For an Old Man like me at least

If you're wanting a revolver just for the big boom and fun Buy the 500 Magnum... The 500 Magnum is an awesome big game revolver too. Don't worryabout ammunition cost.
Here's a good comparison for you to take in, You have two Camaros, one a v6 very versatile and good on gas.... The other is a Camaro SS horrible on gas But similar versatility. They both look the same but one will put a bigger smile on your face.

Actually the 460 has a bigger boom and pressure wave due to the increased velocity.

I don't know, I've got both of them in the 500 Magnum seem to have a better bigger recoil. But then again I'm no expert I just like to shoot them

08-28-2009 this seems an awful lot similar to back then. Plus the 500 Magnum could shoot of 700 grain bullet.... lol

Send your 460 to TK and get the cylinder cut for clips and shoot 45ACP for cheap.

Short answer: either one.

But let me add something. If you are not a reloader and only use factory ammo, then yes the 460 is more versatile in that you can shoot several different rounds in it.

However if you are a reloader, then the whole '460 is more versatile' argument goes completely out the window. With the 500 you can assemble loads with bullet weights from 275gr up to 700gr and in a slew of different power levels.

I own two 500s, BTW

I was faced with the same question. For me after much opinion research reading, and some great input from SWF member ruggyh I opted for the 460XVR. It was a better choice for me as I already handloaded, and I wanted a 200 meter, totally impractical but fun precision "hand-cannon". I don't hunt so I was more looking for precision target over max energy knockdown power. With the 460 You get .45 cal bullet versatility and the capability of sick velocities! I ended up buying the 12" xvr and could not be happier with the decision over the .500 in my situation. Let me tell you this, you fire either the 460 or the 500 mag at an indoor range you better have triple hearing protection and a good pair of safety weld goggles cause in a low light situation the muzzle flash/blast is insane.. LOL

and the verdict is?

__________________
Baby Chief Admirer
SWCA 2870

Honestly, get a 629, probably better suited to what you are looking for.

The heaviest caliber gun in a remotely practical size is the model 29/629. The X-frames are novelty guns notorious for showing up in pawn shops with few rounds ever fired from them. However, given a choice between 460 and 500 S&Ws, I would take the 460. The "plinking" then would be with the range of 45 Colt loads.

I see far more J and K frame at pawn shops than I do X-frames.

X-frames are not for everyone, funny how if some finds the recoil to stiff for them, then everyone will not be able to handle the gun.

Practical is subjective - the ownership determines that.

I do agree that either are best suited to hand loaders.
The versatility argument of being able to a 275 to 700 grain in the 500 is baseless - you can load the 460 with an equal range of lead 200 to 700+ grain bullets and in all power ranges.

As stated the 500 is tops in absolute kinetic energy and 460 will be tops in velocity.

Does it really matter if you are only shooting paper? or even hunting where either has taken all North America has to offer?

In the end get someone to let you shoot them to determine which one you like - if either. You know your resource limits and free time better than any poster here.

Get what you like- in the end you have to live with it.

Make mine an X-frame.

Be safe and good luck.
Ruggy

I've never seen a 700gr bullet ( 452-454 ). The heaviest I've ever seen was a 395gr. Were you talking about casting your own 700gr bullets for the 460? I haven't seen a commercially offered weight anywhere close to 700grs for that caliber.

I don't know about a 700gr for the 460, I'll take Ruggy at his word on that, but here's a link to some loads that'll make a 500 owner drool!!!

500 S&W : Matts Bullets Ammunition

I am sure Ruggy is correct. I've just never seen any 45 cal bullet offered in that weight. He probably casts his own that heavy would be my guess. Can you imagine the sectional density of a 700gr 45 cal?? That would be some wicked penetration!

Heaviest Bullet load for 460 S&W Mag?

There are multiple bullet caster that sell bullets 500+ for the 460S&W

To be fair bullets above 365 grain really don't provide any real advantage to the cartridges capability but that has not stopped trying. Same can be said for the 500S&W, once you get past 565 grains not anything to be gained.

Ditto that, Ruggy.

Heaviest I load my 500 is with 440gr. Beyond that is just crazy.

Immaterial.

Strawman. I don't believe anyone posted that they know what's best for everyone.

But that's just a platitude. We get that you are on the defensive because of owning an X-frame and being man enough to hold and shoot it.

He asked for opinions.

at_liberty I apologize but, I have to ask: Just what was the point of your post besides busting up Ruggy??? You contributed nothing that will further the OP's knowledge of which weapon to consider?? No opinion's on the 460 or 500 that I could see on your post???

And by the way, Ruggy's suggestion to try these guns out before buying either is the best suggestion that could be offered because if the OP was close enough to me, I'd definitely be happy to take him to the range and let him try mine out after properly coaching him of course!!

Defensive about owning an X Frame????? Please..........

Tony, I don't own either one. The biggest caliber revolver I shoot is a .454 Casull (since '87).
Full power loads in any of these guns are not casual plinking calibers. Reloading is the only way to make them as such. If you don't reload, I would think hard on this. Even if you pick the more versatile .460, it's a big machine to use for casual plinking. If you decide to hunt with one, are you prepared for the expense and practice involved? My advise, try before you buy.

[quote=Road_Clam;138807672]I was faced with the same question. For me after much opinion research reading, and some great input from SWF member ruggyh I opted for the 460XVR. It was a better choice for me as I already handloaded, and I wanted a 200 meter, totally impractical but fun precision "hand-cannon". I don't hunt so I was more looking for precision target over max energy knockdown power. With the 460 You get .45 cal bullet versatility and the capability of sick velocities! I ended up buying the 12" xvr and could not be happier with the decision over the .500 in my situation. Let me tell you this, you fire either the 460 or the 500 mag at an indoor range you better have triple hearing protection and a good pair of safety weld goggles cause in a low light situation the muzzle flash/blast is insane.. LOL

Congrats on your new X-frame. It's a lot of fun at the range and in the field. You did good to take to heart ruggyh's advice. He is actually one of the best resources of information regarding the X-frames I've found on the net. Enjoy!

Sorry, but your comments couldn't be further from the truth. The .460 and .500 X-frames are very practical for their intended purposes and are the best at what they do.

They are intended to be stellar long range hunting handguns and they are. They perform well for hunting any game in North America and are popular for protection in Grizzly country. For their intended purpose, they far exceed the capabilities of the 29/629.

Saying the X-frames are novelty guns is only your opinion which certainly does not make it so. X-frames are not for everyone, but if you need the capabilities an X-frame offers or just want the high velocity, long range performance they are just the ticket.

I do not need my .460 for big game defense, but rather I know I've got a handgun that excels at taking whitetail at long range with ease. Not a novelty but one of the best tools for the job.

At_liberty, we get your opinions, your clearly very sour towards the x-frame. However there are those of us who purchase a handgun based soley upon not practicality but based upon simply "fun factor". Undeniably the big bore x-frames are all of that . Please refrain from trolling your negitive comments.

[quote=Rob41;138810709]Apparently they are too often bought as novelties, not hunters. What I see consistently in pawn shops is not an opinion.

So how is my observation immaterial. It is not an opinion either.
I see far more J and K frames in pawn shops and rarely any X-frames by comparison. Can we now say that they are J and K frames are novelties?

I had no idea which big bore I wanted, even after a month of reading. I shot a 4" .500 mag, and hated it. Wayyy too much felt recoil to enjoy shooting 10+ rounds. I also shot a 8-3/8" .500 and like that frame better, noticeably less recoil at the expense of a much heavier frame. Then I PM'd Ruggy many times with all my questions and needs, he replied in DEEP knowlegable and unbiased opinions as to exactly which model would suit me best. My 2 final choices were the 10" and 12" 460 XVR. I ended up choosing the 12" simply for the fact it had a slightly heavier barrel contour than the 10" . I also preferred the top and bottom picitinny rails on the 12". When your getting ready to blindly drop $1200+ you need to be dam sure you make the best choice, Ruggy was a huge help.

I've owned a 6.5" 500 and loved it. I only sold it when I needed money for a wedding (I don't regret it). With that said however, I am back in the market for just the right 500. Here are the reasons why the 500 for me, and then I'll share some ideas of where the 460 would win out.

For me, I want maximum effect on a big hairy things that want to kill me. If I am in a hunting situation at anything longer than 20 yards, I will use my 375 Ruger which I will have with me. I reload, so I can make loads easier to shoot and right up to my personal limit. And with the x-frame, that personal limit for recoil will be much more powerful than with any other platform (points for the 460 as well!). I prefer handier guns with barrels only long enough to have a decent sight radius and get most of the cartridge's potential velocity and limit the amount of powder burning after the muzzle, and the bigger bore of the 500 allows that. Both the 500 and 460 have a ton of powder to burn, about twice as much as a 454 casull!

Now, in a lot of ways the 460 is similar to the 500 when viewed from a wide perspective. Both make other big bores look like 357's and 38's. But they have entirely different advantages over each other. The 460 has much better versatility for the NON-reloader with factory 45 colt and 454 casull ammo. If one is intent on never reloading but will shoot it more than a hundred times, go no further than the 460 unless they buy a new car every year. The major advantage of the 460 is it's speed. It's all about adding speed to the same 452" bullets of the 45's and 454's. This is the cat's meow if one is looking to take 100+ yard shots or set up with a scope. It needs a long barrel to have a significant advantage over the 454.

In summary, the 500 is a defense weapon, the 460 is a hunting weapon.

akmtnrunner

Not true, a 3.5" producing over 2000 fps with factory FTX loads.

460 S&W: Velocity / Barrel Length

If you really want a 500 with a short barrel I would suggest the 5" JR if you can find, good balance in the hand and no compensator.

akmtnrunner

I had no problems with this hairy guy. 7.5" 460 S&W



Good luck and be safe
Ruggy

The .460 and .500 both have their merits but I personally would choose the .500 S&W Magnum with a 6.5" barrel.

my $0.02

Nonsequitur

You should review the OP and then try to convince me that my posts are inappropriate and not well meaning.

Then review what I actually wrote and note that I mention preferring the choice of a 460 for its caliber versatility...meaning to imply that it would be a way, preferred over my Redhawk, to shoot heavy 45 Colt loads.

You guys are making too much of parsing the word "novelty".

Lol I may be biased because I have one, but go with the .500.

Lol its like saying you have a 12" you know what. Yea it may be too big and too painful for your lady and yes a smaller is more practical for the job... but when you pull that puppy out everyone wants to take a look and grab it...

I'm talking about the .500 of course!

I have just reviewed the OP and the entire thread and found that I have indeed made an error in my post, # 73 I believe, where you did indeed recommend the 460. After stating the case for the 44mag being the largest caliber that was needed for practicality, in your opinion, and that the X-Frames were "Novelty" weapons that ended up in pawn shops more than any other Smith Wheelguns...

I submit to you Sir that IN YOUR AREA, there might be more X-Frames in pawn shops than other S&W wheelguns. In Ruggy's area there might be more of the J & K frames.

Unless you have visited EVERY pawn shop in the US there's no way that you can know just what there's more of!!!

And again... I still don't see your reasoning in beating on Ruggy as stated in my post.. He's one of the most knowledgeable members here concerning X-Frames especially the 460!

And please..... Nonsequitur??? Parsing????

If you wish to "Bloviate" at least get "Non Sequitur" correct.......