.460

[Michaelp57]

Hey guys,

I am looking to expand my collection and pick up a S&W 460 revolver. I was thinking about a .500, but I like that I can shoot .45lc and .454casull out if the .460. I am having a hard time deciding which one I want to get though. Largely I am between the 7.5" and the 10.5" comped models, but I can be swayed toward the 14" with the bipod. Initially, the only things I'm gonna be shooting with it will be paper targets and maybe some 2 liters of pop, but that may change down the road(hunting or defense in bear country, should I find myself going out there). I am still interested in the ballistic differences, which appear to be minimal between the 7.5" and 10.5", but I don't really see much info out there that includes the 14". Which ones do you guys have/prefer and why?

Also what optics are you guys running on these? That's a big part of the allure for me is that I can mount an optic on these 3 models.

Thank you in advance and Happy New Year evetybody.

 

[22hipower]

I had to have one, several years ago, and bought the Performance Center 12 inch barrel version. Mounted a Leupold VX3 2.5-8X scope. Sighted it in, put it away, and a few years later sold it.

I liked the thought of 45 Colt, 454 Casull, and 460 from the same gun. However, in actual practice the POIs of those cartridges are so different that for all practical purposes, my experience anyway, you've got to pick one of those cartridges and stick with it.

And then there is the issue of needing a mule, at least a donkey, to carry it in the field with you if you plan to use it for hunting. My hunting/shooting buddy bought the exact same gun at the same time. We hunted with it one trip and took a doe at about 100 yards. No problem with getting the venison, the deer went about five yards and dropped. We all got quite a chuckle though as my buddy had rested the 460 on his new fuzzy hat. Which was smoking and had a couple burned through holes in it.

An interesting gun/cartridge but not for me. Your mileage may vary. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[AmStaff64]

I have the 8 & 3/8" (non-PC) with a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x.
I do not fire 45 Colt or 454 Casull in it. the 460 is a very high pressure cartridge and unless your chambers are clean sticky cases can be a problem - 45C and 454C will add to this.

If you handload/reload you have a lot of flexibility with a range of power. And, it will be cheaper than store bought ammo.

 

[gnappi]

If a multi caliber option is useful for you, the .500 special out of the .500 mag is there.

 

[robvious]

I too have a 8 3/8 non PC version... early version... comp has to be changed for lead or jacketed... never used an optic.. only shot less than 50 yards.. except hitting a 15 inch gong at 100 yards (can do it with a 617 so not that big of a deal).. fun, flexible and heavy... 45 Colt feel like 38 special in an L frame... enjoy.

 

[murphydog]

If you have any consideration of carrying one, the 5” compensated 460 seems to be the best one. An 8 3/8” is really big and any longer one will be bigger and longer. If mostly as a hunting/target gun, I’d say the 14” - go big or go home!

 

[NewLiberty]

I have a buddy that has brought a .460 with what I recall as being a 10.5" barrel along for some hog hunting. It packs quite a punch, and put down hogs no problem.

That being, said, even with a chest holster, it was rather unwieldy for him to carry around. For bear defense, I would go with a much shorter barrel.

 

[Imissedagain]

We have the 8.375" non-pc and the 3.5" PC.
If I were to buy another it would be the 7.5" PC.
I would have bought a 2.75" but they were not available.

Hopefully you load what you shoot.

We put a taller front sight on the 3.5" as the low OEM,
shot high.
Scope or Red Dot on the long one.

Those are non-ambidextrous experimental RedDot Teak grips, being bedded to the Snub, then final shaping/finishing.
When your hand touches both red dots, the
bullet is interfaced with the Cruise Missile
guidance system.
Happy New Year.

 

[505Gibbs]

This is my 7.5" with a Burris and grips by Karl Nill.

 

[Roofuss]

I have the 5" model 460 and carry it in a chest style holster when up in the mountains with my Polaris Ranger side by side . I load up her up with HSM factory 325 gr. bear loads when doing so.
Otherwise, I just reload .454 Casull, 45 Colt and even .45 Schofield for shooting at the range.

 

[madmikeb]

Here's mine, scope is a Burris 1.5X4. How does it shoot? Beats me I haven't made it to the range with it yet. Finally found some ammo this fall but being as it's winter here in Maine I'm waiting for warmer weather!

 

[Michaelp57]

Appreciate all the info guys. The 14" is definitely up for higher consideration than before. To be honest, it's unlikely that I would ever use it for defense in any case. It's much more likely that it just ends up being a cool range toy, but hunting with it is not out of the question. Weight isn't a huge factor for me. I'm more just concerned with how shootable it is, how capable it is, and how cool it looks. And damn does it look cool with the bipod and scope on it. I think based on the go big or go home way of thinking, I may as well get the 14".

P.s. I'm would not consider myself recoil sensitive, but I cannot imagine a 3.5" .460 would be very pleasant to shoot.

 

[Michaelp57]

Winter

Here's mine, scope is a Burris 1.5X4. How does it shoot? Beats me I haven't made it to the range with it yet. Finally found some ammo this fall but being as it's winter here in Maine I'm waiting for warmer weather!

I'm with you on that one Mike. Even if I picked up the gun tomorrow, no way I'm gonna be able to shoot actual .460 rounds until it starts to warm up. .45lc are acceptable at the indoor range that I frequent though, so I'll at least be able to shoot it.

 

[Michaelp57]

Thought process

If you have any consideration of carrying one, the 5” compensated 460 seems to be the best one. An 8 3/8” is really big and any longer one will be bigger and longer. If mostly as a hunting/target gun, I’d say the 14” - go big or go home!

I exercised that mindset when I purchased my only other revolver, a heritage rough rider .22wmr with a 16" barrel.

 

[madmikeb]

Just a little more info, before I got this I had the 10.5" pc version and at the range it was just too muzzle heavy. Even from a sandbag it was hard to hold as I rest the frame not the barrel when resting a gun. It was the bipod that sold me on the 14" and I traded the 10.5 towards it. I kept the scope and just put it on the 14".

As far as the short barrel big bores, I have a 4" 500 and it's not really much worse to shoot than a 4" M29 as long as you keep bullet weights to the lighter end of things.

 

[Michaelp57]

Just a little more info, before I got this I had the 10.5" pc version and at the range it was just too muzzle heavy. Even from a sandbag it was hard to hold as I rest the frame not the barrel when resting a gun. It was the bipod that sold me on the 14" and I traded the 10.5 towards it. I kept the scope and just put it on the 14".

As far as the short barrel big bores, I have a 4" 500 and it's not really much worse to shoot than a 4" M29 as long as you keep bullet weights to the lighter end of things.

Thank you for your insight on the long barrel models and sticking the idea in my head that I need a shorter barrel version at some point too. This is why I ask these questions here before buying. Unfortunately, we are playing the waiting game as of right now. I gotta wait to see if my lgs can order it after shot show. If they can, I will definitely be going with the 14". For now I will just build up an ammo supply for when I get it.


Btw I do NOT reload(yet) as I dont have the workspace to do so, so i know ammo is going to be pricey. I have never bought/not bought a gun based on ammo prices though(.45-70, .50beo, 5.7×28, 357sig, etc.) and i wont start today. Even if I can only afford to shoot a gun a few times a year, it's worth adding to the collection.

 

[ruggyh]

.....
I am still interested in the ballistic differences, ... but I don't really see much info out there that includes the 14".

Here is a thread which contains what you are looking for 460 S&W: Velocity / Barrel Length

...
Which ones do you guys have/prefer and why?

I have them all- yes every model produced by S&W.
Depends on what I am using it for....
I have hunted with them in 2.75" ES all the way to 14"models.
The 10.5" and longer I would only recommend to hunt with in blind or stand as the are front heavy and require a rest or to be shot from bipod.

If you just plan to shot paper get what you like best, from the bench for me it would be either the uncomped 12" or uncomped 14". Off hand it would be 5" to 7.5" model, leaning toward the 7.5".

Here are threads discussing S&W 460 offering over the years.
I am sure there are other threads if you do a search

Lew Horton 460 S&W Magnums (with photos)

Factory 460 S&W Magnums finished in Black (with Photos)

7.5 inch Barreled 460 S&W Magnums (with Photos)

Long Barreled 460 S&W Magnums (with photos)

X-Frame .460 - Looking for Advice/Recommendations

...
Also what optics are you guys running on these? That's a big part of the allure for me is that I can mount an optic on these 3 models.

Several threads that are relevant to optics on the 460.

Personally I have the Leupold 2.5-8x have the longest life (6000+ rounds)
Most scopes don't last 100 rounds, buy once cry once.



460 S&W with H1 Aimpoint test

Revolver Sights

PC 14” 460

If you don't reload you should to get the most out of your 460.
It takes a lot of practice to get proficient with these guys, reloading not only allows you to tune loads to the gun it allows you to get the most shooting in for dollars spent.

 

[ruggyh]

Just a little more info, before I got this I had the 10.5" pc version and at the range it was just too muzzle heavy. Even from a sandbag it was hard to hold as I rest the frame not the barrel when resting a gun. It was the bipod that sold me on the 14" and I traded the 10.5 towards it. I kept the scope and just put it on the 14"....

You can use the 10.5 inch with a bipod

460XVR bipod mount

The same goes for the 7.5" PC or the 7.5" Black or Two Tone hunter models

 

[Imissedagain]

The Lee, no hammer necessary hand press, fits in a shoebox with a few other items and we be loading.

Loaded up a bunch of 230/300gr Penn PCs with TrailBoss recently.
Soft shooters for letting others try some grips I made.
Then, hopefully, the reverse carving mods made to my Marlin carver will work, and get back on a long overdue Nill project, with others that need that carver in reverse operation.

Proper fitting grips make shooting the XFrames more better.
Whites have a bit of Nill/Hemphill on the right side and sized for a warm glove.

 

[Michaelp57]

Compact reloader?

The Lee, no hammer necessary hand press, fits in a shoebox with a few other items and we be loading.

Loaded up a bunch of 230/300gr Penn PCs with TrailBoss recently.
Soft shooters for letting others try some grips I made.
Then, hopefully, the reverse carving mods made to my Marlin carver will work, and get back on a long overdue Nill project, with others that need that carver in reverse operation.

Proper fitting grips make shooting the XFrames more better.
Whites have a bit of Nill/Hemphill on the right side and sized for a warm glove.

I'll look into that lee loader. Any specific powder you would recommend? Only things I might reload as of this moment would be the 460, 45-70, and .50beo. I can of course search for manuals and powder measures and dies on my own i imagine.