460 xvr recommendations

[Buddah]

Hello everyone I'm looking at buying a 460 xvr and I was looking for input on which one to buy. It's main purpose is going to be for deer hunting and maybe some other game someday. But it will spend a majority of time at the range also since deer season is just not long enough lol. Right now I'm thinking about the Performance Center 14" model. Looking for input/experience with any of them. Thank you for your time.

 

[NYresQ]

For hunting, plan on using shooting sticks with anything over 5" or 6" barrels.

I have one of the 460 PC models with a 7" barrel (rare) and its hard to hold steady with the scope. With open sights I can still shoot a decent group at 50 yards, but with the scope and a set of sticks, I can shoot palm sized groups at 150 yards all day long.

It all depends on what you want to do. If you plan on shooting off the bench at the range and a set of sticks in the field, the long barrel won't be a concern. But to me the point of a handgun is lost when you go to barrels that long, and to my eyes, it just looks plain goofy with the long barrel and the skinny part on the last 6".

The 460 develops most of its speed in the first 6", so anything over that will not net you much more FPS. And shooting with a scope negates any advantage over the long sight radius.

I would consider either the 10" PC model if you intend to scope it or the standard 8" version if you plan to use open sights. For hunting, plan on using a rest of some kind with either one.

At the range, be prepared for some strage looks and lots of questions after you touch off the first round!! its an attention getter...

 

[ruggyh]

First let me say that all the 460 are accurate and capable of deer and more.

If you are planning to scope the gun, any of them with a barrel longer the 5" version will be suitable. Most of the hunters I shoot with or exchange information with use the 8 3/8" or longer revolvers when scoped.

My personal preference when scoped is the 10.5", with the 12" a close second. The 14" models require more effort to use in the field.
( For target shooting I prefer the 12" )

For open sights I love the 7.5" with 6.5" a close second.

The length for open sights is really up to the individuals abilities to resolve sight picture. Longer seems to be better for me as my eyes have aged.

If you are not a hand loader I would suggest you start, as the full potential of the 460 can be unlocked.

I have taken everything for boar to bison with mine.

Currently in the reloading section you can find a post with some thread links you my find useful in your 460 revolver quest.

As always be safe and good luck.
Ruggy

Your choices below!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ruggyh]

The 460 develops most of its speed in the first 6", so anything over that will not net you much more FPS. And shooting with a scope negates any advantage over the long sight radius.

If you are actually wanting to know the velocity difference between barrel lengths here is a thread.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/356679-460-s-w-velocity-barrel-length.html

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

I own the 14" model and I love it. It freaks out everyone at the range and they affectionately named it the howitzer. Shoots very well scoped with a leupold at 200 yrds. the scope is spendy but handles the recoil well. Read a lot of stories of individuals using a Burris scope and reticles were moving because of recoil. Get really good rings! Ammo isn't cheap! It is quite heavy and wouldn't recommend shooting it without sticks or a bipod. Or at least I don't. But it is my third favorite S&W I own. Wouldn't trade it or sell it for anything.

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

Oh and it's awesome to pull the trigger. Great performance center over all. I have no regrets. But like I said it's heavy.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Along the lines of this topic....

I have a 460v (5"bbl) and am curious about what would be considered a "descent" group with open sights, rested, at 25 and 50 yards??

OP: I like the 5" bbl on my 460v. I realize I lose some velocity and accuracy farther down range to the longer barreled models in general. But I find the compromise to gain a little more portability to be worth it. And even though it's a relatively short barrel for a 460, I suspect it can likely do as good or better than any 6.5" barreled 44 mag... Not sure if I can though.

 

[ruggyh]

Along the lines of this topic....

I have a 460v (5"bbl) and am curious about what would be considered a "descent" group with open sights, rested, at 25 and 50 yards??

On a good day with rest I get 3" group at 50 and 2" at 25 with the 5". A close friend shoots the same gun and gets 1.25" groups consistently at 25. Yes more practice for me!

OP: I like the 5" bbl on my 460v. I realize I lose some velocity and accuracy farther down range to the longer barreled models in general. But I find the compromise to gain a little more portability to be worth it. And even though it's a relatively short barrel for a 460, I suspect it can likely do as good or better than any 6.5" barreled 44 mag... Not sure if I can though.

I don't think the shorter barrels are any less accurate than the longer barrels - I would say the shooter is less accurate. Got a Ransom rest and plan to do some testing, stay tuned.

Yes, the shorter barrels won't develop the same velocity but a few hundred fps won't make much difference at the end of the day with the 460.

With all things equal the accuracy of either the 460 or 44 Smith and Wesson built guns today, are far better than most of us can shoot.

Be safe and Good Luck
Ruggy

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I have grown to look forward to your tests Ruggyh!

 

[Buddah]

This is some good input and I thank you for your time. Do the shorter barrels like the 8 inch have the gain twist like the longer barrels. Also what is a good round for deer hunting I see the Hornady a are about the cheapest out there but I have heard there 200 grain bullet is not good for a distance shot on a deer.

 

[ruggyh]

Do the shorter barrels like the 8 inch have the gain twist like the longer barrels.

YES

Also what is a good round for deer hunting I see the Hornady a are about the cheapest out there but I have heard there 200 grain bullet is not good for a distance shot on a deer.

The 200 FTX fragments to easy in my opion on game and ruins to much meat.
Any of the Banres XPB work well or the Hornady 240 or 300 XTP MAG. Speer and Swift also make 300 grain bullets that are suitable.
Cutting Edge bullet makes a 240 grain HP and a 300 grain solid.

The XTP MAGs are a very good low cost solution.

Though I have yet to use a hardcast hunting they shoud be suitable if your state allows the use of non-expanding bullets.

Good Luck and be safe
Ruggy

 

[buck460XVR]

I gotta agree with ruggyh about the 200 gr Hornadys. They are incredibly accurate and make for a great target or varmint round, but are not a legitimate round(IMO) for deer. Especially @ close range.

The 240 and 300 gr XTP mags and 300 gr Speer Deep Curls are good choices for the handloader. I prefer the Deep Curls over a slightly compressed charge of IMR4227.


BTW...I have the 10.5'' P.C. Compensated Hunter. Shoots better groups @ 100 yards than my .44 mag carbines.

 

[Maestro1]

8 3/8" Barrel

I have the 8 3/8" barrel version and find it to be very accurate. I went with the cross-chest holder as the most practical. If you haven't picked one up and handled it in a gun store I would recommend you do. They are a tad bigger/bulkier than the photos let on. I would also invest in shooting glasses if you don't already have any. Yes, there is recoil but it's controllable. I shot about 80 rounds my first time out and didn't have any problems.

 

[tygar]

460

I have had the 10 & 12" custom shop guns in .460 & .500. Tried them with scopes & holo sites & iron sites & although they shot great, just didn't like the big honkers.

Finally settled on a 6 1/2 .500. It is easy to shoot off hand, accurate & a thumper. Actually would like it in .460 for the versatility.

I primarily carry it for Griz protection while fishing in AK but plan to hunt something with it, probably moose. It is quite accurate at 50yds w/iron sites & 5" or so at 100.

In my 460s I found the 300xtp mag was very accurate & I used a 280 lead gas check bullet I make for my .454s & it was even more accurate.

Anyways, the others are just to big for me. Might as well carry a 16" carbine.

 

[RH45]

So far, I haven't come up with a load as accurate as the Hornaday 200 grain, but, if I'm going bear or boar hunting I'll use my load with Barnes XTB bullets.
Also, make sure you keep your thumbs away from the cylinder gap, and make sure if you decide to use something like a tree for a rest, keep both cylinder gaps away from the tree.

 

[huang]

I'm so excited mine arrived at the LGS this afternoon. As I live in CA so she is in jail for 10 days. I got the 10" PC XVR. My pusher (the owner of the LGS) called and said your hand howitzer arrived and the box is so big it has wheels on it. I can't wait, I've wanted one for years.

I have RCBS carbide dies, IMR 4227, Hornady 200gn, Hornady 240 gn projectiles, Hornady brass, and Starline brass on order. Am I missing anything? I have LR and LRM primers. Stuff is scarce I had to beat the bushes for reloading supplies, is the 460 that popular?

I'm trying to decide on a scope and mounts, I'm between the Lepold VX3 and the Bushnell Elite. Any experience with the ability of either to hold the eye relief over the respective magnification ranges, and robustness of the scopes would be much appreciated.

Huang

 

[ruggyh]

I'm trying to decide on a scope and mounts, I'm between the Lepold VX3 and the Bushnell Elite. Any experience with the ability of either to hold the eye relief over the respective magnification ranges, and robustness of the scopes would be much appreciated.

Here are a few threads from the past on the topic of scopes.

Buy once cry once- get the one that will last first and use good rings (see photo in post 3 bottom right for your barrel length with scope and bottom of this post)

Leupold hold up well and best factory support for when they do fail.

I have not had any red dot last more than 100 rounds, most have failed in less than a single cylinder of shots.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/344031-460xvr-scope.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/382081-advice-scoping-my-500-a.html

I have RCBS carbide dies, IMR 4227, Hornady 200gn, Hornady 240 gn projectiles, Hornady brass, and Starline brass on order. Am I missing anything? I have LR and LRM primers. Stuff is scarce I had to beat the bushes for reloading supplies, is the 460 that popular?

The 240 gn and The IMR 4227 will be ok, but you will be disappointed using it with lighter bullets like the 200 gn.
It has become my favorite powder when using 300/325 jacketed bullets.

For the 200 gn bullets I would suggest using H110, 2400, N110 or A#9


If you are in the Bay Area look me up.

Be safe and good luck
Ruggy

 

[huang]

Thanks ruggyh I will take your advice.

Buddah or anyone else interested I combed the inter webs and found a great deal on a Lupold VX3 scope they only have one left, it's listed for $371 but as usual with the low ball web guys there is about $20 in shipping and handling but that's a great price. The link is below

Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36mm Silver Duplex 66350

Seems legit to be sure I went through Paypal looks as if it's coming right from Leupold.

When a deal is too good to be true it is. the 6350 is a small rifle scope not a handgun scope price went up to $499.00 for the 66620. Sorry if I steered someone wrong.

Huang

 

[normbwana]

Along the lines of this topic....

I have a 460v (5"bbl) and am curious about what would be considered a "descent" group with open sights, rested, at 25 and 50 yards??

OP: I like the 5" bbl on my 460v. I realize I lose some velocity and accuracy farther down range to the longer barreled models in general. But I find the compromise to gain a little more portability to be worth it. And even though it's a relatively short barrel for a 460, I suspect it can likely do as good or better than any 6.5" barreled 44 mag... Not sure if I can though.

My son in Alaska just sold the 5" he had. I had recommended it, and he liked it, but decided it was too heavy. When he had it down here, I only shot 1 3 shot group at 50 yds off the bench. Went into under 1"!! I wish I had bought it from him, but felt he needed it more in Alaska than I do in Alabama. I loved shooting it, but couldn't stand being the spotter off to the side!

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

My son in Alaska just sold the 5" he had. I had recommended it, and he liked it, but decided it was too heavy. When he had it down here, I only shot 1 3 shot group at 50 yds off the bench. Went into under 1"!! I wish I had bought it from him, but felt he needed it more in Alaska than I do in Alabama. I loved shooting it, but couldn't stand being the spotter off to the side!

It does have a particularly nasty bark!