460 SW or 44 mag

[Imissedagain]

From the outskirts of Denver the main concern, as told to me last night, are cougars and hitting them with whatever you're carrying is to be practiced..... paper punchers on notice!!!

Salmon etc etc fishing with a rod in one hand and a sidearm..... while a 45LC Blackhawk is great and all I had...... a DA/SA is my choice then and now.
Chest holsters with a 629 4" and for me a 460..... will make a holster as soon as Smith gets one back to me from the PC shop.

Crossdraw for the fields/woods, chest when fishing wet, for Florida fishing.....boat/bridge ... M59 in back pocket and kayak fishing ....LCP in my vest..... handloads of course.

A 45-70 presence in a revolver works for me as possible hand to claws/teeth or rifle to antlers to limit penetration and getting tossed into the Sequoia canopy.....when that Muley dropped out of the sky .....is prudent.

We hunt with fishing rods in South Florida as scuba gives fish a fighting chance.

 

[MJFlores]

You're considering either the 69, or an X frame. Why not compromise and go with a good ole N frame? a 4" 629 is easily carried on your belt, and has more than enough power however, is much more manageable that the little 69 with magnum loads. Strictly speaking, price an availability gives the .44 the edge. Look at prices of 460 ammo. Even if you reload, brass can be tough to score.

 

[DonD]

"Fun" and packing an X frame seem to be mutually exclusive. Sure, they are versatile, but so is a 120mm Rheinmetall tank cannon.

I don't get all these posts about how heavy the X-Frames are and what a burden. I don't hunt but I do have an Uncle Mike's chest holster for my 500s. They make carrying a 500 very comfortable.

For the one hiking/hunting in steep mountain terrain, I can understand any obsession over weight. In flatter terrain, no, carry it if you want the capability.

And, anyone saying a full snort 500 Mag is a last ditch caliber is silly, we have no depleted uranium armored bears out there. The 500 is more like a .338 Win Mag or .375 H& H in peformance on big animals.

Edited to say, the rub is placing your shots under stress. Place the shot and Herr Bruin is going down. Having never been in such a situation, I'm certainly not saying I could effectively deal with it. Don

 

[Mr.Harry]

OP says he already has a 29 but "is looking for something newer". Is the gun tired, or something you want to keep more as a safe queen? I don't have a 460 yet, although I have thought about it, have handled them (not fired one), and could see myself wanting one if my interest in hand-gun HUNTING continues to deepen. If all you're really thinking about is back-up, or trail defense (depending on types of predators you're likely to encounter), or an occasional shot at 30 yards from a bow stand, i'd say .44 mag is what you want. The 69 is lighter and smaller if heft/weight is a detriment, otherwise I'd just bring along the 29 you have. If you want to actually reach out and target deer size or much larger game with a handgun, 460 I think is the clear choice.

 

[derek45auto]

.......4" 69

 

[F75gunslinger]

So the 460V is almost 61 ounces ( pushing 4 pounds).The 69 is 37.4 ounces ( slightly over 2 pounds ). That 2 pounds will wear on you after a full day in the field.

2 questions to ask yourself. Are you a younger man that has no issue with weight?Or at least an older man in very good shape?

I agree with others that electronic muffs are necessary for both guns,and even plugs in addition with the 460.

I think that with the right holster both are a viable option.If it was me, I'd probably go with the 69.You won't be using it much and it'll be easier to carry.

I think the 460 definitely has it's place as a hunting gun.The performance and power is amazing.But I think it's better suited to sitting somewhere as opposed to walking around.

Others have also said a 629 would be a good option and I agree.An extra round over the 69 and a little more weight to help with recoil.

 

[mikeruns]

Maybe just get the 460 and try it...if you find it works then you win....if you decide it is a novelty hefty burden....then sell it and you are back to the 44....or keep them both and enjoy life more��

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
What is the minimum barrel length where you hunt?[Ohio is 5in}
If you want more power but not a lot of weight,at distance, a 454.
If you want more power at close range , a 480 ruger.
If weight is no object, go with a 500 S&W...
The 460 is better as a rifle or single shot long barrel gun.
The 454 is almost a 460 AND in a smaller lighter gun.
The 500 is a pile-driver as far as you can hit with it.
The 480 is in the middle.
As you said bow hunting , 75 to 100 yds will work.
The 460 is a true LONG range pistol up to 200 yds.
But few can take advantage of that...

 

[roscoepc]

Me personally, I would go with an X-Frame, either the 460V or the 500. I carried a M-29, 8-3/8" in a vertical shoulder holster along with a Browning Auto-5 12ga 3"mag while walking the dogs in Ocala for Years and while I got tired at the end of the day, I never really noticed the weight of the pistol..

Fast forward to today I'm back in Fla., will most likely go hunting in Ocala again and will be using my 500 8-3/8" in an Uncle Mike's vertical shoulder rig while hunting. Don't have the Browning or M-29 anymore but I might get another Auto-5 or a BAR..

I might even have to git me another Basset Hound fer a Hunting Buddy!!

 

[HamHands]

Practical minded, the 44.
Either is overkill IMO for deer.
If you wanted a handgun PRIMARILY for hunting, then the 460.
But this will be back up to the bow.

Bang flop on buck, or at least a very easy to follow trail? 460.
Make sure to Wear electronic hearing protection no matter what you choose

I'll second this! I'm God blessed with good hearing to start with. I got a pair of Howard Leight's electronic muffs a couple years ago. In the woods with them cranked up... I feel like my hearing is upgraded to super human status. Definitely an advantage on a hunt and when worn for outdoor shooting they are more than adequate to quiet down/make comfortable any of my hand-cannons and 7mm Remmy Magnum hunting rifle. When indoors wear them with plugs for hours of comfortable pistol practicing.

As to the OP's question, the .44mag or the .460. They are both more than adequate popping even the biggest of deer. 50 yards and less the .44mag is capable of taking down anything in continental North America.

I really like the .460 as well. But I think it would be overkill for most situations. I borrowed one from a friend for the weekend with .454 Casull, 200 grain Hornady's and Buffalo Bore (forgot the exact grain/load), in .460S&W. The POA/POI was so drastic between the three was remembered for sure. But if you are reloading I'm sure you could tailor and dial up whatever is consistent. But you can do that for the M69 as well.

Lastly, I can shoot 100 rounds of full house .44mags before I'm ready to move to something lighter. I certainly cannot do that with full house .460's. Something to consider.

Oh hell, just get both! That deer or bear won't know the difference!!!

 

[roscoepc]

Oh hell, just get both! That deer or bear won't know the difference!!!

I've been waiting on this one!!!!!!!!

 

[Imissedagain]

Get a 5" 460 if weight is an issue.
If weight isn't a problem the 8.38"

Isn't there a box to check on the 4473 that a 44Mag Smith has been mastered before any attempt
to purchase a 460Mag Smith?

Weight wise:
Recurve vs Wheel Bow
44 vs 460
One of each sounds right..... for a start.

 

[derek45auto]

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...22 long...

 

[Aiala]

Well, I'm not a hunter, but I sure do LOVE shooting both my 629 and 460...

Recoil "ᴙ" Us! LOL

~A~
__________________

 

[HamHands]

Derek45... Can you expound on the ball detent on the crane of the 69 please? That looks interesting and I haven't seen anything like it on any other revolver. Is this custom work or factory? Thanks in advance!

 

[derek45auto]

Derek45... Can you expound on the ball detent on the crane of the 69 please? That looks interesting and I haven't seen anything like it on any other revolver. Is this custom work or factory? Thanks in advance!

That's factory stock on the new 69

 

[ctxcummins]

That's factory stock on the new 69

And the new 66 and 19 as well.