460 S&W Accuracy loads

[3rdgeargrndrr]

Looking to start accuracy load development,
Found a nice 200-300 yard range to practice at.
Calculations that I have done show the accuracy of the 460 with a 1:20 rate would be best suited to shooting a 300 grain projectile at 2000-2100 fps would theoretically give the highest stability. As we all know theory and practice are two separate entities.

Does anyone have an accurate load to share? PM me if you arent comfortable sharing it publicly.

I'm getting the setup ready, just need to find some more 300 xtp mag.

As the 460 has a tendency to cut sandbags,what does one use for a rest?

 

[venomballistics]

Ive only played with one once to help a family member get started with loading for it.
Components what they where, and still are, we used 45 Winchester magnum data for Unique, behind a 230 grain cast slug as a foundation to build from.
the resulting load was fairly tame in the scope of the 460, and grouped exquisitely.

If you float around home improvement stores long enough, you will eventually find cans of handle dip for tools.
this should let you make a padded blast shield from steel that wont scuff the gun when using it as a rest.

 

[ruggyh]

300 grain XTP MAGs don't have to be pushed to extremes to group well.
I typically run them at close to 1600 fps and they group well.

You will find it difficult to run the 300 XTP MAG safely at speeds above 1800 fps.

Highest velocities during my testing were achieved with Lil'gun.
My preference with the this bullet is 4227 or H110.

If you plan to do much development I would invest in Quickload.
It will save you a lot of time and possibly a blown up gun if you plan to push the extreme limits of the cartridge.

Using a 60K pressure ceiling the best (highest) velocity will be 1910 fps out of a 8 3/8" barrel. These are proof loads.

Good luck and be safe
Ruggy


You will find most 460 bullets will group reasonably well over a fairly wide range of velocities.

 

[A.O.]

As the 460 has a tendency to cut sandbags,what does one use for a rest?

This is what I use for my 500..

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

thanks for the information. Forgot to add, this is with the 12" model, Im already hitting over 1970 fps with the 12" at ~42 grain Lil Gun, starline brass and CCI 450.And Im already just over 1800 fps with a 405 grain hard cast at my max threshold for fecal continence.

I only tested this load for recoil evaluation, not for accuracy, and it was hot about 93 degrees or so. No sign of pressure or sticky
extractions yet. I have my data in my clipboard but too lazy to get the actual numbers right now. Using alpha chrony

With this data I was sure ~2100fps was within the reach for a 300 xtp load. Thanks for the info on the proof load. I'm beyond the comfort level of the gun for me at these loads, anyhow so I will start some development with what I already have.

As for quickload, I know, I know, theres no substitute, but I this velocity/load data still seems to be within published ranges for 300 XTP, so I didnt think It was necessary just yet.

 

[ruggyh]

Quickload is not the final word and takes some time to learn how to get good data.
Shooting the round out of the gun is the final word.
Quickload just shows you were the potential disaster awaits.

42 grains Lil'gun with a 2.160" COL is about 56 KPSI
your 12" will produce about 200 fps over the 8 3/8" at the top end of the loads, the lighter the loads the less difference between the barrel lengths.

good luck and be safe
Ruggy

 

[buck460XVR]

I use duct tape over my sandbags.......and replace it when it burns off. Which is about every other range session.

As ruggyh said, the .460 does not have to be pushed hard to be effective or accurate. Pushin' the upper limits will shorten case life considerably. According to some, the use of Lil' Gun may shorten the life of your forcing cone also. I too prefer IMR4227 for hunting type loads. While it does not give me the velocity of H110/W296 it is less temperature sensitive and thus more consistent in accuracy when used in various temperature extremes during the hunting season. Most load books are below the 60,000 limit to aid in ease of extraction. I generally stop and back down when I hit the point of sticky extraction. Some of the P.C. models are known for tight throats, thus produce more pressure and will exhibit sticky extraction at lower published load levels. My gun is one of these. Some of the newer load books reflect this also as do some of the loadings from Buffalo Bore. Many older books and info were loading for velocity. I tend to load for accuracy and this seems to come before max loads. One thing I have found is that sometimes one does not have to increase the powder charge much to go from cases dropping out to pounding them out with a dowel. This is how I noticed the temperature sensitivity of H110/W296. Loads where the cases dropped out when shot @ 65 degrees or less were hard to extract when shot at temps above 85 degrees. Rounds fired while hunting in temps at about zero showed well rounded primers, while the exact same rounds shot in temps of 85 degrees showed primers completely flat.

As for shooting past 200 yards, while the gun is certainly capable of it, not many of us shooters are. I hunt with a revolver for the challenge of getting within 125 yards or less and within that range I am very confident with my proficiency.