460 questions

[bcc629]

I know a guy at a local gun store. He says "Don't get one of those. You don't need anything bigger than a 44." Well maybe he's right. I haven't shot a 460 yet, and might not get to anytime soon. Some people say it's not that bad to shoot. I don't shoot a lot, but I like the adrenaline rush from a bigger gun. It's a good stress reliever on the weekend. I've had a 6" and an 8-3/8" 629 and a .44 Desert Eagle in the past.

What's it like to shoot the 460V?
Is the 5" barrel any good for hunting deer?

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Well, I recently procured a 460v (5" bbl) and I find it a lot of fun to shoot with full house Hornady factory loads. I don't find it terrible to shoot but I'm not going to say its on the same level as a 44 mag. It definitely requires proper grip and form or it will punish you.

It sounds like you and I are similar. I really enjoy shooting powerful handguns. Don't let anyone tell you what weapon is right for you. Only you know what is right for you. If you can find an opportunity to try out a 460 by all means do it. But if you can't don't let that stop you from taking the X-Frame plunge!

 

[TedB]

I can't speak to hunting deer with the 460V. I don't have enough experience to comment.

I do shoot the 460V and I love it. I've shot .45LC, .454 Casull, and .460S&W though it. It's very accurate to the 50 yards. A better shooter can likely do better than that. One thing for sure, it is not pleasant to be in the next stall over when it's shot. I usually make sure my neighbours at the range are aware of it before I shoot the big stuff.

I doubt you would regret buying it if you like the "big stuff".

 

[buck460XVR]

The 460 is a hand-loaders gun. Even if you have very deep pockets and can afford to shoot factory ammo, finding it can be a chore. If you do not reload and do not have deep pockets you'll never shoot the .460 enough to get good with it and you'll never realize it's potential. I have a P.C. 10 1/2'' Compensated Hunter. It's accuracy for a handgun is amazing and between the weight of the gun and the comped barrel, it is pleasant and a hoot to shoot at the range. But if I didn't handload I would not have one. If you do not handload......stick with a .44 or .45Colt.

 

[b_san]

I sure don't think that you have to handload to enjoy a 460, I had my LGS order in a case of the Hornady 200gr FTX (and they were nice enough to do it for just over cost+shipping) and got it pretty quickly. I dont and wont ever load my own nor will I shoot reloads in any of my guns and I have no problems feeding my 460 or 500, I also don't think of myself as having deep pockets. I also found a good deal earlier this fall on the Winchester 260gr Partition Gold I used for deer hunting. Sure you can't just run down to Cabelas and get inexpensive practice ammo but it's far from bankrupting me.

 

[kennyb]

the 460 is an excellent caliber!around here for a 20 round box of factory ammo reached $70
time to reload!

 

[edstuff]

I don't handload and I love my 460. Since it shoots 3 different types of ammo it is one of the most versatile guns out there. I can't really say how much I love it. It can be a bit punishing but that's why we buy hand cannons isn't it? If however, I had to choose between getting a 44 mag and a 460 then I might go with the 44 mag. Both the gun and ammo are cheaper and easier to get.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Now that we have answered that question should we re-label the thread to "459 Questions?"

 

[zirrow]

It's a handful to shoot, but it can be done one-handed if you hold onto it (though it's tough to accurately shoot a handgun that heavy with just one hand), so it's definitely do-able. The Hornady 200 grain loads run anywhere from 25-30 bucks online and are a blast to shoot. I did recently pickup some 300 grain HSM loads that seem to be way overpressure though - the primers are blowing out & I had to tap the empty case out with a screwdriver. I only fired off two & have since contacted HSM to see what's going on. I just picked the gun up a few weeks ago, so I haven't had a chance to do any hunting with it, though I'd like to take at least one deer with it, and I think it would be a lot of fun for hog hunting.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

All of my reloading tooling is on its way to me as we speak!

Also, for you 460 reloaders, Midway has new Starline brass IN STOCK for the 460. Got myself a 100 count bag of that coming too... Was $63 if I recall..

And I FINALLY have some h110 on its way too! I over paid a little, but h110 is IMPOSSIBLE for me to find locally. I have been wanting to try some for awhile...

By this time next week, I should be building my work up rounds...

 

[Jst1mr]

I've taken a couple deer with mine (460XVR) - hits plenty hard and is a true 200 yard weapon with optics. Mine has the 8 3/8"barrel, which has gain-twist rifling that makes it very accurate. For hunting, I think the long tube is best. Beware, if you hunt with one - you MUST have hearing protection!!!!! This thing can permanently damage your hearing with one shot.

 

[edstuff]

I've taken a couple deer with mine (460XVR) - hits plenty hard and is a true 200 yard weapon with optics. Mine has the 8 3/8"barrel, which has gain-twist rifling that makes it very accurate. For hunting, I think the long tube is best. Beware, if you hunt with one - you MUST have hearing protection!!!!! This thing can permanently damage your hearing with one shot.

Oh heck yeah. When I'm at the range I use double hearing protection and it's still super loud.

 

[hd28cw]

I have a 460V... I've shot hornady 200 grain factory and hornady 300grain xtp factory loads and I feel that it kicks less than my 6" model 629... It really doesn't have the recoil most people think it does.... If you like it get it.....

 

[zirrow]

I have a 460V... I've shot hornady 200 grain factory and hornady 300grain xtp factory loads and I feel that it kicks less than my 6" model 629... It really doesn't have the recoil most people think it does.... If you like it get it.....

What brand 300 XTP loads are you shooting?

 

[hd28cw]

sorry didn't specify that...hornady 454 casull 300grain xtp's...they have some real power behind them. if I recall they running at 1800 fps. Hornady has a factory 240grain xtp and the 300 grain xtp in 454 casull.. I believe they only have the 200 grain sst in true 460S&W.

 

[zirrow]

sorry didn't specify that...hornady 454 casull 300grain xtp's...they have some real power behind them. if I recall they running at 1800 fps. Hornady has a factory 240grain xtp and the 300 grain xtp in 454 casull.. I believe they only have the 200 grain sst in true 460S&W.

I thought you either had some ammo they don't make anymore or another manufacturer's. I'm having trouble with some HSM rounds loaded with that bullet and wanted to see if you happened to be talking about that particular loading.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

sorry didn't specify that...hornady 454 casull 300grain xtp's...they have some real power behind them. if I recall they running at 1800 fps. Hornady has a factory 240grain xtp and the 300 grain xtp in 454 casull.. I believe they only have the 200 grain sst in true 460S&W.

The Hornady factory ammo for 460 Mag is the 200gr FTX.

From what I read, all the 460's have the gain-twist rifling, even the 5".

 

[Jboutfishn]

I shoot the 460 XVR, have never purchased commercial ammunition. I load the 240 gr Hornaday XTP Mags over 45 gr H110 with Federal 215 large rifle primers with Starline brass.

I remember the first round I touched off and thought "holly s***" Purchased a weight lifters glove which solved a ton of issues. I recently put a Luppy VX III handgun scope on it. I have now put several hundred rounds through it and can shoot 2 inch groups at 100 yds off of sandbags.

Have fun.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I shoot the 460 XVR, have never purchased commercial ammunition. I load the 240 gr Hornaday XTP Mags over 45 gr H110 with Federal 215 large rifle primers with Starline brass.

I remember the first round I touched off and thought "holly s***" Purchased a weight lifters glove which solved a ton of issues. I recently put a Luppy VX III handgun scope on it. I have now put several hundred rounds through it and can shoot 2 inch groups at 100 yds off of sandbags.

Have fun.

And I just ordered an Altamont hardwood finger groove grip for mine..

 

[zirrow]

And I just ordered an Altamont hardwood finger groove grip for mine..

Post up pictures & let us know what you think of them once they're installed. I've been looking around for a set of wooden grips for my mine.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Post up pictures & let us know what you think of them once they're installed. I've been looking around for a set of wooden grips for my mine.

You bet. I just hope its not too punishing to shoot hot loads with the hardwood grip compared to the rubber that's on it now

 

[ruggyh]

As already stated

First and foremost, ear protection required.

They shoot great and recoil is manageable by the majority, that said it is not for everyone.

The length of barrel has little to due with the accuracy of the gun, but rather does greatly effect the site picture. Typically the greater the distance between the front and rear sight the easier and more consistent the shooter is able to resolve a picture and the more consistent he becomes.

To become proficient with these revolvers requires practice, especially if you plan to hunt open sighted. That means shoot more than a few boxes of ammo.

As buck460XVR stated this gun is best owned by those that reload.

For hunting game animals stay away from the Hornady FTX bullets, they expand to quick in my opinion and ruin to much meat. In larger animals they my not make it to the vitals.

Hornady produces two differnt 300 grain bullet, the XTP and the XTP MAG. The XTP is NOT suitable for use in the 460.

Lots of good bullets out there for hunting with the 460.
Barnes 200, 225,250,275 and 325 are all potential good choices. Hornady 240 and 300 XTP MAG are very popular.
Swift and Speer also produce a 300 grain bullet similar to the 300 XTP MAG.
Cutting Edge Bullets is now producing a 250 grain that looks good- I got some just haven't had time to test them yet.

If you take the time to back over the last years worth of post you will find good information on a variety of 460 questions, scope selection, wood grips, ring selection and even some pretty pictures here and there.

Good luck- hope you join the X frames owners soon!

 

[gutterman]

Had a 5" 460 last year and took 2 bucks during season. One at 65 yards and the other at 80. Had a pro point red dot on it that worked great. Am looking at a longer barell version for next year but the 5" was great. Also handloaded my ammo cause the factory stuff is real expensive. 300 grain lead gas check over 47 grains of H110.

 

[zirrow]

Had a 5" 460 last year and took 2 bucks during season. One at 65 yards and the other at 80. Had a pro point red dot on it that worked great. Am looking at a longer barell version for next year but the 5" was great. Also handloaded my ammo cause the factory stuff is real expensive. 300 grain lead gas check over 47 grains of H110.

That must be a smokin' load - you have chrono data for it?

 

[buck460XVR]

I sure don't think that you have to handload to enjoy a 460, I had my LGS order in a case of the Hornady 200gr FTX (and they were nice enough to do it for just over cost+shipping) and got it pretty quickly. I dont and wont ever load my own nor will I shoot reloads in any of my guns and I have no problems feeding my 460 or 500, I also don't think of myself as having deep pockets. I also found a good deal earlier this fall on the Winchester 260gr Partition Gold I used for deer hunting. Sure you can't just run down to Cabelas and get inexpensive practice ammo but it's far from bankrupting me.

A quick look @ Midway shows even the cheapest (Hornady 200 grainers) @ $1.50 a pop, without tax and/or shipping. Decent hunting ammo is $2 to $5 a pop, without tax and/or shipping. Sorry, but for most folks burnin' a $2 or a $5 bill every time they pull the trigger is prohibitive. I too ordered a case of the 200 grainers back in '05 when I first got my X-Frame before I got into reloading for it. Still have half a case left of them. While they are great for punchin' paper, they are not what I care to use on deer and because they print so much differently than my hunting loads (12'' high @ 50 yards) I don't even use them at the range. Since I can reload and shoot my own more appropriate ammo for at most, $.50 a pop(this with commercial jacketed bullets), it don't make sense to shoot something that costs three time as much, that does not shoot to POA. Since I generally shoot a minimum of 50 rounds thru my X-Frame everytime I go to the range, the difference in cost can be huge. Looking to shoot the same hunting loads for practice would be a deal breaker for me. Again if that was the case I would stick with my .44s. I've shot many different types of commercial ammo thu my .460. None have proven as accurate as my own handrolled. This is the same sentiment I get from others that reload .460. This is why I say it is a handloaders gun. If you never have or never will shoot ammo custom crafted for a particular gun, you too will never know the guns true potential. Because the X-Frames are accurate with almost any ammo, this is often overlooked. While ammo cost is not prohibitive for you, believe me, for many it is. P.C. models in .44 mag and .460 cost about the same. But a box of 50 .44 mags costs about the same as a box of 20 .460s. That's two and a half times the shooting for the same monies. At 80 yards or less, the performance difference on the average deer is moot. Thus for most folks, if you're paying for factory ammo, you're better off with a .44 mag unless all you want is the braggin' rights.

 

[AABEN]

I like ACC # 9 and 4100 1680 for reduced loads ACC 5744 I like the 240 gr bullet. This 460 8.3/8 barrel is a 200 + yard gun it is a killer. With a good rest and scope 300 yards would be capable of taking deer.

 

[Kilibreaux]

I know a guy at a local gun store. He says "Don't get one of those. You don't need anything bigger than a 44." Well maybe he's right. I haven't shot a 460 yet, and might not get to anytime soon. Some people say it's not that bad to shoot. I don't shoot a lot, but I like the adrenaline rush from a bigger gun. It's a good stress reliever on the weekend. I've had a 6" and an 8-3/8" 629 and a .44 Desert Eagle in the past.

What's it like to shoot the 460V?
Is the 5" barrel any good for hunting deer?

Man they don't make a handgun that's "too big!" Of all the myths in the gun world, a gun that's "too powerful" tops the list!
I own a .460XVR. I absolutely LOVE to shoot it! With top loads it's fun to hold at arms length and pop off aimed shots with one hand! The gun is LASER accurate, has a smooth DA and super light SA trigger. Another thing about X frames is they actually have K frame size grips and trigger reach. What this means is when you grasp an X frame it feels more secure and controllable in the hand than does a large N frame!
A .460 S&W is the epitome of the modern revolver. The XVR can launch 200 grain bullets at nearly 2,300 fps, or 300 grain at 1,730. Underwood has a 360 grain hard cast rated to deliver something like 2,800 lb-ft of kinetic energy! That's about 3X what a .44 Magnum can manage!
The 5" barrel is far more portable than the 8.5, and both utilize a VERY effective compensator that, combined with gun weight results in LESS felt recoil than any .44 Magnum I've ever shot - and I've shot 'em all! What you notice is a distinct "push" into the palm of your shooting hand, but muzzle flip is very small. It's easy to bang off all five shots DA as fast as you please and put 'em all inside a head silhoutte at 20 feet and I guess that's good enough to stop a charging bear right before he gets to you.
A 5" .460 Smith will kick LESS than a 4" .44 Mag M-29 and that's with REAL loads in it.
The .460 can shoot .460 S&W, .454 Casull, .45 Colt, and even .45ACP with a moon clip conversion. With the moon clip conversion it can also use clips with .460 ammo for rapid loading and the added surety of ejecting empty cases "en bloc."
The .460 is relatively inexpensive to load for since it uses .451-2" bullets. Unless one loads hot - NOT very likely with a caliber capable of delivering over a ton of kinetic energy, the cases will last a long time.

As for whether a 5" .460 can take a deer; it can bring down any deer a .308 Winchester can within appropriate range for ballistic loss considering the difference between a .308" rifle bullet versus a .451" handgun bullet.
A .460S&W can take any animal on earth.

Don't let someone else dissuade you from buying a .460. If you find you can handle a .44 magnum of any barrel length I can promise you that you will find the .460 Smith & Wesson EASIER to handle.

There you have it...from someone who actually owns a .460 and several .500's.

 

[bcc629]

I'm so glad I came here to talk to people who know what they're talking about. I'm going to get one, thanks to you all. Just need to decide which barrel length, and get the money committed to buy. Thanks again.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

ONe thing I will say my 5" 460 does that neither my 6.5" 629 Classic or my 4" 29-2 do, is CLEAR THE SINUSES! LOL!

While my 4"29 can be punchy with fairly stout mag loads, the blast wave doesn't slap me in the face like the 460 does. You kind of feel it shake the inside of your head. Kind of like a good hit on the football field if any of you played in high school. I attribute that to the comp directing pressure upwards and to the sides making the shooter feel it more.

 

[Kilibreaux]

ONe thing I will say my 5" 460 does that neither my 6.5" 629 Classic or my 4" 29-2 do, is CLEAR THE SINUSES! LOL!

While my 4"29 can be punchy with fairly stout mag loads, the blast wave doesn't slap me in the face like the 460 does. You kind of feel it shake the inside of your head. Kind of like a good hit on the football field if any of you played in high school. I attribute that to the comp directing pressure upwards and to the sides making the shooter feel it more.

Absolutely! The .460 delivers a hellacious sonic pulse directly into the left ear (for right hand shooters) that will make you rethink your choices in life! However, a set of foam earplugs is ample protection - I'm speaking of shooting out in the open. I'm sure under metal overhead cover, or an indoor range would be something more.

That sonic pulse is PROOF of the compensator's effectiveness BTW.