Opinions wanted: should i get the 460 s&w magnum available?

[DrCaveman]

I am in the market for a large-bore revolver. Have been looking steadily at smith 29/629 in 44 mag and also ruger redhawk in 44 mag.

4 inch barrel is my preference. I like the balance of 4" revolvers very much, and would like this piece to be a reasonable hip or chest carry option. I have a 6" 357 and dont feel that it points as well or as quickly as my 4" revolvers.

Ive also considered a redhawk in 45 colt. But i havent found any available locally, in either 45 colt or 44 mag.

Seems that the 460 s&w covers all this ground and then some.

Question: do you fellow cast boolit shooters think the 460 platform and its capabilities is worth shooting cast through? Seems the mentality of the cartridge is 'light and fast'. My increased experience with cast is that 'heavy and slow' is better

I am looking at a deal of getting a short-barreled 460 for about the same price as a typical model 29. The barrel length seems to be around 4-5". Based on s&w offerings, it must be the 5.5" but it sure seemed shorter in the store. I will bring my ruler next visit.

Any advice? Thanks in advance.

[btroj]

I wouldn't want a 460 with the short of a barrel. I would want a 7.5 inch barrel or more for that much powder.

I assume that of you want a barrel that short you are looking for something that can easily be carried? If so, get the 29.

If you want a range shooter then go with a longer barrel.

[Clay M]

The .460 is versatile ,if you can tolerate the recoil.Most scopes including Leupold and Burris usually fail if mounted on the .460 Both revolvers were lying there and I chose the 500.I already had a .454 The recoil on the top end of the .460 will come straight back because you will be working the comp if it is a Smith.I have heard great things about the long range capability of the 460.For me I would rather cast and shoot cast in the 500.If you don't have a 454 the 460 would be a great choice.I agree ,I wouldn't want the 460 in a short barrel.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

i shot a SW 460 and just loved it with open sights i could hit a 5x5 steel plate
at 50 yards down side brass is not cheap so i went with a 454 casull and did not
look back it does all i need and more. truth be told a 44 mag is all i need

[Clay M]

[QUOTE=LUCKYDAWG13;

i went with a 454 casull and did not
look back it does all i need and more. truth be told a 44 mag is all i need[/QUOTE]

I agree.I probably should never bought the 500,but I like shooting and casting for it. I think it will be great for hunting. My wrist and hands say otherwise.

[bobthenailer]

IMO 454 Casull , equals the velocity of the 460 with bullets heavery than 250 gr with 10+ grains less powder and a noticeably smaller & lighter gun for hunting ect !

[44man]

The .460 is a specialized round for light bullets, fast, for long range. I think a 10" barrel is needed. It also has a gain twist that you lose by going short.
I don't like the .454 either.
If you want a big bore that will do anything, get a BFR in .475. Next is the BFR in .500 JRH.
But you need to pry a Ruger .44 from my cold, dead hands. No short barrels for me. 7-1/2" to 10" please.
Feel and balance does not make a gun a shooter.

[jmort]

The .454 makes sense. It is more gun than a .44 and there is nothing on earth that it can't kill. The .460 is versatile, .45 Colt, .454, and .460. Not sure how we get to the ".460 is for light bullets" idea.

[gofastman]

I think a 10" barrel is needed.
yup, at least the 8 3/8" barrel is warranted if you want a .460 to shine, otherwise its just a big, inefficient .454
just my humble opinion

[DrCaveman]

Ok, thanks for all the input. Being that I cast and reload 45 acp, I like the idea of sticking with a .452" boolit so I can get double use from molds.

My figuring is that I would mostly shoot 45 colt/454 casull level loads. So, the extra weight and beef of the 460 would probably be wasted. Not to mention a lot of boolit jump if I used the short brass.

And, I suspected what you guys said abou barrel length & powder burn efficiency. Good to hear confirmation.

Think I will take the 460 out of the running and keep my eyes peeled for a 454 casull. Then shoot 45 colt for light practice.

[Suo Gan]

Why do folks need such big pistols for packing light? Walrus tusked grizzly bison? A 4" 44 mag is plenty, plenty, of medicine for anything around out there with plenty of muzzle blast and kick...why do folks want/need more? I guess that is a stupid question...but I am serious. Why the need, at least in a 4" pistol?

[DrCaveman]

Suo gan

Excellent question, in my opinion, and a large part of why I started this thread.

If there had been any 44 magnums (particularly a model 29 or red hawk in 4") I would have gone home a happy shopper yesterday. But since the 460 was available and a bit underpriced, I thought I'd consider it. After more thinking, I decide that my 45-70 already fills the 460 niche

[Clay M]

Because it is there. Just something awesome to play with .Most of the things I have in life I don't necessarily need. Like my father said wants and needs are two different things.I always liked shooting my .458 win mag.I felt like I had accomplished something when I touched the shot off.I can kill deer with a .22 LR ,but I use many different calibers. Just keeps it interesting,and keeps me from getting old before my time.

[GP100man]

The bigger the power the longr the barrel needs to be !!

I shot a shorty 500 ,NO FUN !!! & a long 460 MUCH BETTER !!

& ballistics are slightly better at the longer ranges .

44 does all I need to do .

[BruceB]

Why do folks need such big pistols for packing light? Walrus tusked grizzly bison? A 4" 44 mag is plenty, plenty, of medicine for anything around out there with plenty of muzzle blast and kick...why do folks want/need more? I guess that is a stupid question...but I am serious. Why the need, at least in a 4" pistol?

This is TRUE.

I have personally driven 429244 cast bullets from a .44 Magnum revolver COMPLETELY THROUGH adult moose and Wood Bison, with penetration measured in FEET. Those bullets which I saw impact the ground after exiting the animals were clearly still very dangerous, kicking-up substantial amounts of earth and debris.

On viewing such results, I knew the .44 was all I would ever need.... why have a .454 or .460 or .480? To kick up MORE earth on the far side?

[Clay M]

Some farmers that live down the road have a 10" barrel S&W .460.They can consistently hit a 10" plate at 500 meters.I don't think they hunt with the gun.
If I go to Alaska I will carry my Freedom arms .454 .I would rather have the extra power when fishing around bear.

[Mal Paso]

I shot the 10" XVR 460. 4" would be a waste. Would not want to pack either one.

I carry a 4" Colt or Redhawk, 260g MP 432256, at 1460 fps, for about 1200 ftlbs ME. It's 3 1/2 pounds, that's enough and a good heavy gunbelt helps.