Hi all, I'm getting a new S&W revolver for hunting and had some questions. I currently hunt in Florida with a 10mm Auto. I've been up close to pigs/deer in thick brush up to 10 yds away, and also taken shots at pigs at 100 yds, (with my Commander 10mm). I'm actually selling my M1A for a revolver, love the stalking and light packing associated with handgun hunting!!! So while my 10mm is ok for short range, was looking for something when I get that 100 yd shot (in case you were wondering, yes, I did hit the pig at 100 yds, iron sights with my Commander, but not an ethical shot, hence the more horsepower/scope).

So in looking at larger revolvers, there seems to be a lot of pissing matches going on, and I'd like real world data-actual stories or what has happened. I say this because it seems to me that in modern times, every body is going bigger and badder. I'm surprised I haven't read on forums of a story where it took somebody's uncle 6 shots to kill a rabbit with a 22LR, so they suggest a 5.56.....

I reload, and my buddy's trying to tell me that the 460 is the way to go because of the awesome heavy loads and 45 Colt for lighter-but this requires cleaning of cylinders and 2 dies, types of brass, bullets, etc., or 3 of all if 454 Cassull is added, none of which I can find easily in Walmart, etc as well. So 3 rounds for different jobs. Not bad thinking, I suppose. But the 44 Magnum, would be 1 set of dies, and easier to buy ammo if in a pinch, not to mention TONS OF DATA and different powders....

So that being said, a 44 Magnum will never outpower a 460, got it.... but.... At a 75-100 yd shot on a pig, would a 44 Magnum take the pig? I've also heard about deer being torn to shreads in and out with a 460 S&W. Is it just too much power? I mean, 300gr bullet moving at 1,300 FPS for example) out of a 44 mag I would think would be enough for a FL squealer at 75-100 yds, am I wrong in this thinking? I hunt deer as well, but they aren't as tough as a pig, so if itll take a pig, itll take a deer, my thinking at least. With both rounds, I would carry and switch the loads to accommodate the shot/hunt. What pissed me off about the 100 yd pig is I had 155 GDHP in my 1911, and couldn't switch to the 180 Gr Bullets without changing mags, racking, etc..... Might've gone differently with 180's.... Hence the revolver, again, Gotta love revolvers!!! Options on the fly!!!

I know that the 460 is straighter shooting, but is it more accurate? I read that it's more accurate at longer ranges, but with so many options in data for the 44 Mag, surely, I would think it can be just as accurate if the right bullet/powder combo is found. As for straighter shooting, I can hold elevation just fine.... again, not the best shot, but certainly not the worst, either....

Thank you for any advice, it's a really tough choice!!!!

Oh, and for comparison, I'm either looking at the S&W 460v-5" barrel, or the S&W stealth hunter in 7.5 inch-if comparing ballistics....

I carry a 44 mag and have hunted pigs-deer- Jaguars-brown bears with it the nice thing about the 44 mag is the availability of small to large grain bullets 180-300 and being able to shoot 44 special loads for target practice
The only time I've had to double tap a game animal was a brown bear that was a head on shot had to take one more to finish that one off
I don't try any shots over 50 yards too iffy for my senior eyes because I only use open sights and if you travel to hunt you can always find 44 mag ammo 460 rounds you best bring it with your not going to find that ammo every where

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Just load your 460 case to what ever load level you desire-
you only need one set of dies- if you are set on loading all three buy a set460 dies and seating/crimp die for 45 colt and your set.

Yes with proper shoot placement and bullet construction


Note some bullets 44 are not suitable for top end range of 44 magnum- same rules apply


Not with proper bullet selection

either are more accurate than than all but a few shooters are capable of.

As for straighter shooting, I can hold elevation just fine.... again, not the best shot, but certainly not the worst, either....

Don't think its that tough
Go shoot them with a range of ammo and pick the one you like /shoot best- in the end it's your going to be your gun.

If you get a 460 hearing protection is a must.

If you don't handload you should

Good luck and be safe
Ruggy

I havent hunted with the 460. But its similar to my 450 bushmaster in terms of velocity and bullet selection.
The FTX design is devastating on pig although I havent persoanlly tried the 200g projectiles. And I mean T*ts in the air dead.
And if it can still run, the mega blood trail doesnt go very far
Hunting is more about shot placement than anything.

The 44 is a lot lighter to pack.

7.5" is a long tube! You can get all you need from a 4 ~ 6" barrel.

I cast the Lyman 429244 (Thompson) bullet among others and it weighs 265g from WW. Push it to 1200fps and it PENETRATES!

The 460 can do more at longer range.

From an economical standpoint, brass and bullets are more readily available, and cheaper, for the 44 magnum. A 240 JHP will provide more than adequate penetration on just about any animal you're likely to encounter, including pig. I've shot end to end through whitetails with the Sierra 240 JHP and have since settled on a 200-210 JHP as a happy medium for my application. Double lunged a good size pig once with the Sierra 220 gr FPJ Match. Complete penetration and the pig rolled over after 40 yards. Total confidence that bullet would have no problem punching through shoulder plate if warranted.

For your application, S&W makes a few models with integral mounts that allows a person to quickly switch between open sights and red dot/scope. If I'm not mistaken, the 454/460 only holds 5 rounds vs. 6 for the 44.

At the ranges you mention, a good .44 will kill them just as dead as a .460 --provided the shooter can hit what he's aiming at.

__________________
Pisgah

You can shoot lead out of the 460 smith up to 635 grain; well over an ounce, and 740 grain lead out of the 460 BFR

There is little difference loading either cartridge in terms of cost or effort.

The problem with shooting big lead out of the 500 S&W is the twist rate does not stabilize the bullets well.

If you want to shoot the heavies in either cartridge get a BFR, or 5" John Ross 500 S&W which has a faster twist rate also and shoot the big lead fine also.

Funny thing is I know lots of handgun hunters and they never shoot anything heavier than 500 grains and rarely at that.

Good luck and be safe
Ruggy

Big pig -400 plus pounds meets a 200 grain XPB Barnes out of 6.5" 460 S&W

I hunt deer with .357 mag, .44 mag and .460 mag revolvers. They all work well within their parameters. The biggest parameter is effective range, and accuracy at the far end of their effective range. Ruggyh has done a good job of summing things up, +1 on the hearing protection thing, altho I use hearing protection when hunting with any of my revolvers....especially if I'm hunting outta a blind. I have both a Lew Horton P.C. .44 Magnum Hunter and a P.C. .460 Compensated Hunter....both are scary accurate.

If one does not handload and doesn't ever intend to, IMHO, they should stick with the .44. The .460 really shines when handloaded for and can be pretty pricey to get proficient with using factory only loads. Hornady's 200 grainers for .460, while great for varmints and paper, are not for deer or pigs.

44 magnum is plenty accurate and offers more than enough power to take down anything in Florida up to around 100 yards and even beyond if you've got that much open space for a long distance shot (I sure don't in my neck of the flatwoods). Other than the Stealth Hunter, a 5" or 6.5" mod. 629-x Classic would serve you well and also comes pre-drilled for a scope if you like that sort of thing. As far as reloading goes, the 44 magnum comes out ahead of the 460 for convenience, availability, and affordability.

Now, if you really want the 460 and don't mind lugging it around or paying the premium for X-frame power, that's understandable. But you don't need that kind of power in Florida.

Red dot on either one is my recommendation. 44 mag 629 or Redhawk is my advice with a holster like this one. Amazing how heavy the pistol is after a day in the woods. https://www.walmart.com/ip/BlackHawk...Large/43658291

There are a lot of reason's for both. I'm more of a "be proficient with one load in one gun" person as multiple different loads will give different points of impact necessitating different elevation holds possibly resulting in a miss, or worse yet, an unethical hit.

In OP's case, I would choose the .44 Magnum over the .460 Magnum as there is way more than enough energy with the right load to do what is needed.

As far as accuracy, gallon milk jugs full of water at 100 yards present no challenge with my 629s or my 69.

Just my $0.02

Thanks guys, I have settled in for a 44 Mag, I suppose it's easy to get caught up with the stats and all, but it was good to hear that I won't be "under gunned"... now it's what revolver...... haha. Not her thead started....

Just me but I recently sold my 500 mag and went back to a 44 magnum for hunting (M629). The big X frame was very accurate but the porting and muzzle blast was too much for me. You have to carry maximum eye and ear protection (whereas foam plugs are enough for a 44mag) and I've gotten shrapnel back at me when firing in and around trees and other stuff in the woods from the muzzle blast.