I have recently started back hunting and for black bear in Pa. I am considering a 460 magnum XVR revolver instead of my 45-70 long gun. I think it would be easier to carry and use when busting through the brush trying to jump a black bear out. I am considering a 5" and 8 3/8" barrel models. Can someone with experience with this gun and type of hunting give me some feedback good and bad please. Is there a big difference with perceived recoil between the 2? I have found a used 5" for $899, is that a good price? The gun does not look like it has been fired at all. Thanks for any help.
Wanting a 460 Magnum XVR
- Thread starter jchpd203
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Been handgun hunting since it was legal in CO. I like to wear the gun on My belt. Go to the S&W website and check the weight of the pistol You desire. Then check the weight of loads, and the scope. Then weigh Your rifle. The S&W will probably need a chest rig to carry it. Not the best in brush and black timber. My gun weighs exactly 48oz empty and 55oz with 5 430 grain loads. That's just slightly heavier than an empty 6 inch 29. For the bears in PA I would look hard at a 5 inch 629 if You do not want a scope. As for the 460, You might as well carry the rifle. JMHO
jessebogan
Member
I don't hunt with mine, but still want to weigh in. First, most of these guns have likely not been fired much. The price seems reasonable. It is heavy, I think around 70 ounces.
Range sessions, I am good for a couple boxes of factory ammo. I enjoy shooting it, but I AM 60, so no need to beat my self up to badly.
Range sessions, I am good for a couple boxes of factory ammo. I enjoy shooting it, but I AM 60, so no need to beat my self up to badly.
Pretty good price on a 5" and easier to carry then the 8 3/8. As noted, get a chest carry rig and practice.
ruggyh
Member
These is some recoil difference between 5" and 7.5 / 8 3/8 models but usually not an issue for most shooters.
There is how ever a big difference in the ease to get a good sighting picture required for hunting. This common among new shooters and passes with practice.
While getting the gun on game is faster with a handgun than rifle the 460 requires the use of hearing protection even when hunting- this is a distraction for many whom hunt.
I have used 460 on wide variety of game animals and don't mind the inconvenience of hearing protection while hunting, even bear.
I have used a wide variety of barrel lengths and prefer 7.5" with open sites or dot and 10.5" scoped, or the 12" scoped when shooting from blind.
If you do a thread search on this forum you can find plenty of threads with loading advice and a few hunting stories thrown in.
I would highly recommend you get Gun Digest Book of Hunting Revolvers by Max Prasac, it has lots of sound information about the subject.
be safe
Ruggy
[QUOTE="jchpd203, post: 140265949, member: 314775"]I have recently started back hunting ... I am considering a 460 magnum XVR revolver...considering a 5" and 8 3/8" barrel models. Can someone with experience with this gun and type of hunting give me some feedback good and bad please. Is there a big difference with perceived recoil between the 2? I have found a used 5" for $899, is that a good price? The gun does not look like it has been fired at all. Thanks for any help.[/quote] These is some recoil difference between 5" and 7.5 / 8 3/8 models but usually not an issue for most shooters. There is how ever a big difference in the ease to get a good sighting picture required for hunting. This common among new shooters and passes with practice. While getting the gun on game is faster with a handgun than rifle the 460 requires the use of hearing protection even when hunting- this is a distraction for many whom hunt. I have used 460 on wide variety of game animals and don't mind the inconvenience of hearing protection while hunting, even bear. I have used a wide variety of barrel lengths and prefer 7.5" with open sites or dot and 10.5" scoped, or the 12" scoped when shooting from blind. If you do a thread search on this forum you can find plenty of threads with loading advice and a few hunting stories thrown in. I would highly recommend you get Gun Digest Book of Hunting Revolvers by Max Prasac, it has lots of sound information about the subject.
be safe
Ruggy
[IMG]https://beta-static.photobucket.com/images/t439/ruggyh/ALASKA/P1050089_zpsyfcwcefe.jpg
Last edited:
Thanks for the advice. I was already planning on the chest holster, and an open red dot type of sight, not a scope. There is one guy in our hunting party that uses one, and he loves it. I have electronic hearing protection, and was already planning on wearing it. I just figured it would be better for me in my mid 50's to have both hands free while trying to climb on, over, and through the brush and also not have to worry about a rifle slung over my shoulder. Not too worried about weight at this point, just the convenience of carrying it across the chest vs. slung over a shoulder. I am gonna go back to the gun store after Christmas and if it is still there, then take that as a sign I am meant to buy it. Thanks again for the advice.
Similar threads
