5" or 7.5" on a .460

[Mossyoak338]

I am looking to purchasing a .460 with either a 5" or 7.5" barrel to be used as a backpack gun and possibly hunt with. thanks in advance.

[ruggyh]

From previous post

Brief overview of the 460 S&W Magnum as it relates to your question.

460 XVR - XVR is acronym "extreme velocity revolver"

460 V - referrers to the 5" barrel model

460 ES - referrers to the short barrel 2 7/8" uncompensated model

any reference to "Performance Center" means the gun is assembled by that division of S&W and has a higher degree of attention provided (both real and perceived) during the assembly.

Those with roughly barrel in your requested range are

SKU 163460 - Standard production model with stated Barrel length 8 3/8" - effective length of 7.5"

SKU 11626 - Current Performance Center model with advertised and effective length of 7.5"

Out of production models but often available through auctions

SKU 170345 - refereed to Bone collector and is a special version the current performance center model above

SKU 170267 - Ellet Brothers distributor model with black finish with advertised and effective length of 7.5" (about 500 made)

SKU 170287 - Ellet Brothers distributor model with black finish with advertised and effective length of 7.5" (about 500 made)

I won't list all the SKUs ( 50 of them) for the Whitetail series but this just the standard model with some extra screening.

There is no perceivable difference in accuracy of any of the above guns based on my Ransom Rest Testing.

There is a little weight difference in the models as results of shroud design and fluted vs. unfluted cylinders.

Also worth mentioning
SKU 170263 which was a Lew Horton Distributor special with
advertised and effective length of 6.5" (about 700 made)

I would suggest you at least handle each before buying for balance and feel, even better if you could shoot them.

As I mention to all of those wanting a 460 it would behoove you to reload to take full advantage of the cartridge and reduce your shooting cost.

Hope this was of use

[sparkyvega]

Ruggy has excellent suggestions and info. I've only ever shot the 5" which I got for similar applications as you, Mossyoak338, though for now it remains a range gun. It has good balance and feel for me and is likely more easily packable than the 7.5".