Tell me about the .460 S&W Magnum

[GatorFarmer]

Failing to trade into a 5.7mm FN pistol made me pause and think. If a roughly .22 caliber and relatively light bullet at over 2000fps is said to be "something" worth playing with, why not just go with with a 200 grain .45 caliber bullet at 2300fps or so? Pretty big, decent weight, and pretty fast.

Thus I'm picking up an 8 3/8" .460 S&W next week. (You let me worry about how to carry it, I'll figure something out...)

I was intrigued by something that uses redline max .45 Colt or .454 offerings as a *subload*.

The mandatory Youtube videos of various and sundry objects exploding when hit - my favorite being a chicken - further convinced me that this might be useful. For what, I'm not sure, but probably something.

What should I know about this new toy, other than that I ought wear double ear protection? Does it shine best with heavy bullets or light ones? Can very light for caliber (165 or 185 gr) .45 bullets be loaded into it at even higher velocities than the 200gr offerings?

 

[GatorFarmer]

Failing to trade into a 5.7mm FN pistol made me pause and think. If a roughly .22 caliber and relatively light bullet at over 2000fps is said to be "something" worth playing with, why not just go with with a 200 grain .45 caliber bullet at 2300fps or so? Pretty big, decent weight, and pretty fast.

Thus I'm picking up an 8 3/8" .460 S&W next week. (You let me worry about how to carry it, I'll figure something out...)

I was intrigued by something that uses redline max .45 Colt or .454 offerings as a *subload*.

The mandatory Youtube videos of various and sundry objects exploding when hit - my favorite being a chicken - further convinced me that this might be useful. For what, I'm not sure, but probably something.

What should I know about this new toy, other than that I ought wear double ear protection? Does it shine best with heavy bullets or light ones? Can very light for caliber (165 or 185 gr) .45 bullets be loaded into it at even higher velocities than the 200gr offerings?

 

[flop-shank]

Originally posted by GatorFarmer:
Thus I'm picking up an 8 3/8" .460 S&W next week. (You let me worry about how to carry it, I'll figure something out...)

I'm thinking that the "something" will involve wheels......

 

[84CJ]

I have a 7.5 and it shoots the 200 grain Hornady like a dream. Way off with 45LC and 454.

I think this pistol was rifled and developed for the 2oogr Hornady if you are shooting store bought ammo. The 45 LC ist like a 22 rimfire in this thing.

Things tend to explod when struck by the Hornady 200 gr. It's awsome and loud. Lots of felt concussion. It will turn heads.

 

[84CJ]

May as well offer up some eye candy.

 

[buck460XVR]

My PC .460 likes my handloads with Lil' Gun and 240 and 300 grain XTP-Mags. It shot the factory 200 grain SSTs well also, but they are more like "varmit" rounds as they tend to blow up on the outside of deer at close range. They also were too expensive to shoot at the quantity I enjoy shooting.

The gun is a hoot to shoot and is like taking a adrenaline shot everytime you pull the trigger. Again make damn sure you and everyone within 20 yards is wearing ear protection. The blast from the cylinder gap will also cut thru anything within 6 inches of it. This includes sand bags, shooting bench tops and fingers.


As far as carrying it, there's a reason they put sling swivels on 'em.

 

[460v LAC du FLAMBEAU]

I like the Hornady 200 grain SST's as shown the best. MidwayUSA.com usually has the 20 pack for $27.99...good deal compared to same type ammo in S&W 500 "300 grain" SST's for $55 per 20/ct box.

 

[duckloads]

My PC .460 likes my handloads with Lil' Gun and 240 and 300 grain XTP-Mags.

Hey Buck' what type of rifleing is in that PC barrel?
Is it the same gain twist rifleing as in the XVR?

Thanks

 

[flop-shank]

Well Gator, I found the video where they shot the chicken. The conventional wisdom that handguns only poke holes is definately out the door with the .460. Actually, my 165 gr. JHP handload I use in my .44 magnum lacerates (or obliterates) tissue that the bullet never touches and it travels at 1656 fps./1005 fpe. At 2300 fps., a 200 gr. bullet should yield 2350 fpe.!!!!

That's only about 450 fpe. short of what a full power foster slug gets from a 12 gauge.

I actually wouldn't be surprised if 125 gr. .357s from barrels 4" or longer can lacerate tissue that the bullet never touches too. I'm curious where the threshold of that type of performance begins.

Anyway, it's nice to see others pursueing the concept of "handguns with an identity crisis" as carry weapons. Keep us posted as to what you learn about different munitions for the .460, their performance, what you decide on as a carry load, as well as how you manage to haul the thing around.

You really might want to reconsider that P-G thing if you're experimenting with lighter than 200 gr. bullets in that thing, as you will be entering territory as to which you very well might not find the answer to your questions, even with the power of the internet on your side. In my case, there was no 165 gr. .44 magnum data available, so I used 180 gr. data, but have never exceeded that data's max load. I was hoping to exceed 1000 fpe. from a carry gun and managed to exceed my goal by 5 fpe. with a max load. I knew it would be close. Once I chronoed the load and saw that I had the energy I wanted, I shot bare and clothed P-G. Pleased with those results (12 1/2" each time), I then shot a couple woodchucks which gave me further confirmation that I would get the performance I wanted when flesh and bone were involved.

 

[ohiococonut]

Originally posted by GatorFarmer:
Can very light for caliber (165 or 185 gr) .45 bullets be loaded into it at even higher velocities than the 200gr offerings?

No. Because of the velocities the bullet construction won't allow it, the jackets are too thin. When you're pushing 460 velocities it's recommended that only Hornady "mag" bullets, Nosler HG Partitions, or Barnes be used. There may be others but they are few and far between.

 

[flop-shank]

Originally posted by ohiococonut:

Originally posted by GatorFarmer:
Can very light for caliber (165 or 185 gr) .45 bullets be loaded into it at even higher velocities than the 200gr offerings?

No. Because of the velocities the bullet construction won't allow it, the jackets are too thin. When you're pushing 460 velocities it's recommended that only Hornady "mag" bullets, Nosler HG Partitions, or Barnes be used. There may be others but they are few and far between.

That's the type of problem I ran into with the .44 magnum. There are useable 180 gr. bullets, but the only lighter bullet I know of that is ideal for self defense is the Sierra 165 gr. JHP. As luck would have it, it's pretty close to perfect for what I wanted to do.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Looks like it is going to be for naught. Much like my near run with the 5.7, an secondary part of the trade fell through involving a Ruger GB. Looks like I'll probably be getting an AN PVS 14 ITT Gen 3 Night Vision scope instead. I don't know what I'm going to do with that either. See what actually lives by the dumpster I suppose.

Just as well. I suppose I'll wait and try to get a .460 or .500 in either the 5" format or snubby "Bear Gun" kit instead.