Heaviest Bullet load for 460 S&W Mag?

[Scrapper]

If anyone has loading for the heaviest bullet in this load any info would be appreciated.

Was looking for the heaviest possible bullet to put thru my 460 XVR 8 3/8.

 

[flat top]

Scrapper; Is 405 grains heavy enough?

 

[Skip Sackett]

Not that I would recommend this but,

If anyone has loading for the heaviest bullet in this load any info would be appreciated.

Was looking for the heaviest possible bullet to put thru my 460 XVR 8 3/8.

I have heard of some folks taking a 45/70 lead bullet and sizing it to .452" and using them.

If it were me, I wouldn't push them too hard to start with because working the edges can really soften even the hardest cast bullet.

Not only that but the bullet would need to be "pre-lubed" so as not to put too much pressure on the sizing equipment.

Now, I haven't done this myself but have heard that it is being done. There are some really heavy bullets out there for the 45/70!

Hodgdon lists data for a 395gr lead bullet while Taffin tested 360gr.

I would think that a 360gr bullet going almost 1600fps would be good enough for just about any North American problem you could run into, as well as a few African ones!

 

[Scrapper]

My curiosity had me wondering. Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm gonna put the notes away for later use as I have to really perfect the 200 FTX and 360 WLNGC first and I'm gonna have plenty of fun doing that

I also loaded some 454 Casulls 300gn XTP Mags. I'm gonna slip some of those XTP's in the 460 also. my shooting time is very limited right now so I have a-lot of fun to look forward to later .

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I found these loads online. I do not remember where.

bullet powder charge velocity
240XTP H110 45 2084
H110 47
H110 48.5 2254
H4227 40 2018
H4227 45C 2198

300XTP H110 38 1825
H110 41
H110 42.5 2034
H4227 36 1856
H4227 40C 1998

I have found that 240gr XTP/MAG over 46gr H110 worked well in my 460 XVR 8 3/8.

 

[Desert Pete]

Ditto on the Louisiana Joe's H110 load. If I do my part, it will shoot sub-moa groups at 100 yards off of a sandbag rest.

 

[Scrapper]

Thanks for the Good info everyone. I'm glad I joined this forum I learn so much here.

 

[sonny]

I have a whole bunch of 350 grain LFN GC's, and I've shot them in most of my 45's. It takes 400 or more to get my attention in a .45.
Sonny

 

[Scrapper]

I hear there are 535gn lead available but i have to make a few phone calls next week to find out more.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Scrapper, from what I've read the 460 Magnum wasn't created to push very heavy bullets. The operating pressure is very high already and trying to push a very heavy bullet raises the pressures even higher, too high. If you want to push really heavy bullets I suggest doing so in a 500 Magnum instead.

 

[Scrapper]

Hey thanks for the input ArchAngelCD. I hear some people have successfully ran heavier bullets thru it but what I really am interested in is how efficient are they. Personally I think I may be sticking with what I got so far but I never totally rule out other possibilities. I always try to do a-lot of asking Questions first.

Keep Warm and Good Night.

 

[Aussie44]

How does 395 gr sound.
Try Here...
45/395gr. WLNGC/DC .452 dia 100 Count


Ken

 

[Scrapper]

Hey Aussie that bullet I'm also considering. I thought I would start with the 360gn WLNGC. This is the same company I bought the 360gn from.

 

[buck460XVR]

Scrapper, from what I've read the 460 Magnum wasn't created to push very heavy bullets. The operating pressure is very high already and trying to push a very heavy bullet raises the pressures even higher, too high. If you want to push really heavy bullets I suggest doing so in a 500 Magnum instead.

I agree. Altho I have tried heavier bullets, I've yet to find anything that shoots better or more consistently than Hornady's 240 and 300 gr XTP mag bullets outta my X-Frame. Since the largest thing I face in the woods is Whitetail or Black Bears, I have no real need for anything larger anyway. Still, all in all, it's a fun cartridge to play around with.

 

[Scrapper]

You guys got the experience with this gun so I am listening closely. Sounds like I'm gonna end up using the same loads you are (300 XTP Mag, etc.).

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Scrapper, you won't be giving up much using the lighter bullet. You can push a 300gr bullet close to 2000 fps. With those velocities you are achieving over 2660 ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle. That's no joke..! You will achieve less energy from a 400gr bullet @1700 fps.

 

[Scrapper]

Scrapper, you won't be giving up much using the lighter bullet. You can push a 300gr bullet close to 2000 fps. With those velocities you are achieving over 2660 ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle. That's no joke..! You will achieve less energy from a 400gr bullet @1700 fps.

AA,
First Thank you.
I don't want anyone to get the impression that I was unhappy with the 460 Cartridge loaded with the recommended 200gn FTX, which I hand-load. I think it is quite powerful , accurate and adequate for big game out to reasonable distances out of a revolver.

I am always interested in hearing from those who have experience with it though. Input from you all sure helps me out a-lot and for that I am grateful.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Scrapper, you won't be giving up much using the lighter bullet. You can push a 300gr bullet close to 2000 fps. With those velocities you are achieving over 2660 ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle. That's no joke..! You will achieve less energy from a 400gr bullet @1700 fps.

That's true, but the heavier bullet will out penetrate the lighter one every time, no ands, ifs, or buts, about it.

The lead bullet will also wear your barrel much less than a jacketed one, especially when firing them at the velocities attainable with the 460.

Scrapper-
there is an excellent article on handloading the 460 in Handloader #242 August/September 2006, by Brian Pearce. The following is a direct quote from the article, middle of the page, on page 76-

"To date, the revolver used for this article has had approximately1150 rounds through it. In examining the forcing cone area, some erosion has begun, but it is not enough to change the barrel cylinder gap and has not affected accuracy. For those who shoot heavyweight bullets, the erosion will be minimized. In discussing this point with the folks at Smith and Wesson, they indicated any issues would certainly be covered under the lifetime warranty."

You can get a backissue copy of that issue from Wolfe Publishing.

Heavier bullets cause less wear, not more. The same thing that the 125 vs. 158 in the .357 debate is all about.

As long as you use published, pressure tested data, there will be no more pressure for heavy bullets, than there will be for lighter ones.

The following loads are listed on page 81 of that same article.

395 gr, CPBC WLN GC
H-110 34.0 gr 1448 fps

Lil'Gun 34.0 gr 1477 fps
" " 36.5 gr 1586 fps................................Maximum


Remember that Lil'Gun has been shown to cause rapid throat erosion in high intensity rounds like the .454, 460, etc., so use at your own discretion.

 

[Scrapper]

Excellent info thanks Gun 4 Fun

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Glad to help...........always.