460 405gr Beartooth bullet data

PeterK

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Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has any data for the 405 grain Beartooth bullets for the 460? Currently have 2400, 300MP, Lil Gun, and IMR 4198 but am open to any powders that you have data for. I appreciate your help!

Peter
 
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While the 405 bullet can be utilized in the S&W X-frame it does not leave much case capacity (about 34 grains water).

I would recommend issuing 4227 or even 4198 over the faster powders typically used to minimize peak pressure issues that can occur with heavy for caliber bullets in large cross sectional cases.

Seat the 405 in the top of the cannelure to keep the OAL at 2.3".
Starting load of 4227 at 80% case fill or 23 grains, with max being 28.7 grains.

At any time extraction becomes sticky during working up stop and reduce load. Throats of some 460 are know to be tight and top load vary from gun to gun. A 100% case fill should present no issues with this bullet under normal conditions.

Use this information at your own risk.

Bullet weights above 345 grains will not provide any addition benefit to the terminal performance of the bullet and result in poorer external ballistic performance in 460 S&W cartridge.
Typically I don't recommend any bullet larger than the 360 grain.

Bullet weight above 405 cannot be reasonably loaded in an X-frame revolver due to it's 2.3" cylinder length. For bullet weights heavier than this you will need to use the BFR with it's 3" cylinder length and faster twist rate. Weights up to 720 grains have been tested in the BFR but I will say again these bullets do not perform as well those weighting 360 grains or less.

be safe
Ruggy
 
Based on all the reloading data I've seen 4227 does seem to be the preferred powder for heavier lead bullets. It has worked well for me with 285 and 350 grain bullets. The 350 grain WFN is the heaviest bullet I've tried and the recoil with 25 grains of 4227 is substantial. Definitely worse than the factory loads of a 200 grain bullet doing 2,200 FPS.
 
After I saw this post I went to the Beartooth site and was a bit surprised not to see some type of reloading suggestion for what I think is an oddball bullet weight for the 460 - IMO.
Not something most 460 owners would gravitate to BUT since they still offer it - someone is buying it in enough volume to warrant keeping it in the catalog.
 
I'd take the advice of an empirically proven 460 Hunter over retail sales data.
Even with decades of loading bigbore rifles etc etc, I think of myself as a beginner again with Super Magnum Handloading.
Kabooms with firearms or even mindless archers exploding wheel bows, by not following simple guidelines that the Pros advise.
We're working up loads ...255, 300 and 340 grain PC Penns this summer.

Have Bow
Will Travel
My son's first trip to the range with the old Hoyt wheel bow... and a world class tournament archer, passing thru and waiting to fly to the next competition says.... I'd be glad to show him
what I know.... and I got to inspect his Barnsdale and accouterments. Made my day as well. :D
1. Always inspect the bow and arrows before each shot.... it only takes a proper glance to see that all is okay.
Current Hoyt target wheel bow, finger draw ATA, lists for more than an X frame .... but resale of high end bows is dismal to be blunt.

Stay safe
Have fun
 
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