460 S&W: Velocity / Barrel Length

[ruggyh]

I have seen the question poised on several occasions.
Most of us know that even the same barrel length revolvers will deliver a small difference because of a variety of factors.
I decided to chrono each barrel length under the same conditions earlier this month.

A few notes:
• The 8.375” gun has in excess of 10000 round down the tube buy myself and the previous owner, whom said he shot about 6000 Colt, 1000 Casull, and only a few boxes of Hornady 200 grain. I have shoot 3000 rounds of a variety of 460 rounds from 200 to 300 grain.
• The 10.5” gun Has about 6000 rounds of 460 S&W most of which are equivalent to Hornady factory 200 loads.
• The rest of the guns have less than 3000 rounds each.
• The 2.75” and 3” guns have low round count less than 1000 each.

Data collected with Kurzzeit chronograph

Factory Hornady 200 FTX ammo, all from the same lot, was used.

The 300grain XTP MAG under 38.2grains of H110 with a OAL of 2.195”

200 Grain Hornady FTX DATA
Barrel Length AVG of 5 shoots
2.75" 1897fps
3.5" 2033fps
4" 2059fps
6.5" 2165fps
7.5" 2240fps
8.375" 2180fps
10.5" 2203fps
12" 2370fps
14" 2313fps
14" c 2318fps
Ruger #1- 22" 2924fps

300 Grain , 38.2 H110, OAL 2.195
Barrel Length AVG of 5 shoots
2.75" not tested
3.5" not tested
4" 1409fps
6.5" 1495fps
7.5" 1549fps
8.375" 1502fps
10.5" 1536fps
12" 1542fps
14" 1528fps
14" c 1559fps
Ruger #1-22" 2161fps

Good Luck and be safe

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Wow,6000 rounds of 460! Be on the lookout for a good carpal tunnel surgeon,You will probably need him in the future All kidding aside,Thanks for taking the time to do this test.

 

[ruggyh]

Actually I have shoot in excessive of 15000 rounds in the last 3 years, but who counting.

This is a reloaders hand gun. Getting good means lots of practice.

Typically I shoot at 50 and 100 yards with scoped guns and 25 yards with open sights. Wish I had better access to 200 yard range.

Longest shoot on game to date is 140 yards.

 

[SAWMAN]

Really interesting Ruggy... I've been waiting on this!

Interesting to see velocity increases / decreases

 

[ruggyh]

I think the relationship is pretty linear when throats and cylinder gap is the same.
I did shoot my other 8.375" and it is about 50fps fast but I took the data on a different day. The temperature was about 10 degrees warmer out on that day.

The 3.5" I got from you shoots very nice. Put about 500 rounds through her.

Just when I though I was done buying 460's, Smith announces a new model. I really like uncomped guns. Now to get one when they actually become available.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I think the relationship is pretty linear when throats and cylinder gap is the same.
I did shoot my other 8.375" and it is about 50fps fast but I took the data on a different day. The temperature was about 10 degrees warmer out on that day.

The 3.5" I got from you shoots very nice. Put about 500 rounds through her.

Just when I though my I was done buying 460's, Smith announces a new model. I really like uncomped guns. Now to get one when they actually become available.

OK, how did I miss that??? Care to elaborate?

Thanks for taking the time to post those chrony results!

 

[ruggyh]

Announced at the shot show

Check former discussion and picture here

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/353659-new-pc-460-snubby.html

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Thanks for that...

Apparently I did in fact see that thread, I "liked" the initial post..

But it has been a busy couple of weeks and I clean forgot... Still don't remember seeing it now! LOL!

They really are teasing those dirty rats in Springfield..The 66 comes back, the new m69...and then there's THAT! LOL! I have been enamored with that m69 lately and it's not going away... Guess you probably know how that's going to end up...

 

[bcc629]

Might be talking about this one: Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 460XVR - YouTube

 

[bcc629]

For some reason, this is a little hard to find on their page but I found a link: Product: Model 460XVR?
I love this gun, but I'm not sure about the barrel length. There must be a market for it though.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

That certainly IS a nifty lil' snubby!

 

[b_san]

That certainly IS a nifty lil' snubby!

D&L Hunting was advertising that they got one in this week.

 

[sw282]

ruggy--You just gotta try IHMS silhouettes..We shoot steel cutouts of chicken @ 50m, pig @ 100m, turkey @150m, ram @ 200m. 40 shots, 10 rds at each target.. 5 rds per bank with a 2 minute time limit.. Nothing like watching those steel guys flip..l shoot in 'production revolver-standing' class.. lts the greatest FUN.. l shoot either a Mod 27-2 or 29.. l bet that 460 of yours would REALLY make those steel silhs jump.

 

[bcc629]

Looks like the 460PC snubby is out: SMITH AND WESSON S&W MODEL 460 XVR 460 S&W *** NEW 2014 *** SKU 170350 - Smith & Wesson Revolvers

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

You know, your handloads with the 300gr XTP MAG are just .2 gr above starting charge listed in Hodgdons tables. C.O.L. is longer than Hodgdons too.

I would be curious to see how those 300 grainers run with about 42gr of 110 and a 2.160 C.O.L.

 

[ruggyh]

I chose this load because it groups best out of my longer barrels (10.5")

At 41 grains extraction becomes sticky and velocity is near 1800fps. Over 41.2 grains of H110 extraction is difficult.

I have driven them faster than 1800fps but consider these near proof loads and would not consider shooting them with any regularity as there is no reason. Groups open up and a fews hundred foot pounds of energy have no real value when you are producing over 2200 ft/lbs. at 1600fps.

Be safe

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I see.

Was just curious to see how near max 300gr rounds compare to Hornady's 200gr FTX factory round.

I have only fired one box of the Hornady factory ammo and just in those 20 rds, I had some sticky extraction on a couple occasions. About 50% of the time. I find it a little strange being that I would expect nearly identical rounds from a factory.

Guess that and your real world testing shows that Hornady ammo lives up to it's promise. I only bought some factory ammo when I first got my 460 to get brass! LOL! I'l be reloading from here on out, even when I need new brass...for several reasons... First and foremost being in NY and there will be BG checks for ammo (reloading components exempt) here soon, and I refuse to participate.

 

[ruggyh]

Hornady told me they us H110 in their factory 200 grain ammo.
(I have since found this to be false (june 2018)
I pulled bullets from 20 rounds and powder weight was 52.1 grain average.

I believe they list max as 52.7.

Load at 51.2 grains and get right at 2200fps.

Starting at about 50.2 grains the increase in velocity is very small as powder is increased.

This were I typically load at, don't see any difference in group size, at least with my shooting.

Be safe.

 

[ruggyh]

UPDATE

Got the new 3.5" gun coming. I will update the data to reflect the new kid. I pass a couple hundred rounds through it first.

I will also add data for a 10" BFR a fellow enthusiast has volunteered to allow me to shoot.

 

[ruggyh]

Shoot the new 3.5" gun and there is little difference between it and the 3.5" compensated modeling terms of velocity. I shoot them side by side and recoil is slightly less with the compensated gun. That said there is noticeably less flash and noise out of the new uncompensated model.

Be safe