Talk me out of a S&W .460

meh, the 460 is more versatile.
you can shoot 3 different rounds with it, compared to the 500 you can only shoot 1.
and from what i understand the 460 has better ballistics, in fact if im not mistaken the 460 is harder hitting isnt it?
 
I'd like to see how a 460 could hit harder than a 500 shooting 400+ grain slugs. Also, with the 500 all you require is one set of dies and one set of cases......throw in a couple of different bullet choices and a couple different powders and you have all the versatility you need shooting the cartridge that the X frame revolver was designed to shoot. If you want to shoot 45 colt then buy a 45 Colt revolver. My vote goes for the undisputed big dog, the 500 S&W.
 
460 S&W. 360 gr (23 g) Lead Long Flat Nose 1,900 ft/s (580 m/s) 2,885 ft·lbf (3,912 J)

500 S&W. 350 gr (23 g) JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point) 1,975 ft/s (602 m/s) 3,031 ft·lbf (4,109 J)

500 S&W. 400 gr (26 g) JHP (Platinum Tip Winchester) 1,800 ft/s (550 m/s) 2,877 ft·lbf (3,901 J)
 
This comment makes no sense to me. You are going to reload for the 500 anyways so load it to whatever power level you want. Why buy 3 different types of 45 brass and say its more versatile than tuning a 500 how you want it?

wayupnorth said:
meh, the 460 is more versatile.
you can shoot 3 different rounds with it, compared to the 500 you can only shoot 1.
and from what i understand the 460 has better ballistics, in fact if im not mistaken the 460 is harder hitting isnt it?
Click to expand...
 
As far as reloading the 460 uses cheaper more commonly available bullets with the .452 in sted of the 50 cal. for jacketed rounds. price out 1000 50 cal projectiles and then price out 1000 45. there are also many more types of commercial 45 call bullets to choose from for reloading

Of course casting can help bring the cost of both down. you can cast up to 535 grain for the 460 and 725 grain for the 50 (Is the highest I have seen).

Being narrower would also make the 45 cal more aerodynamic
 
sask farmboy said:
Of course casting can help bring the cost of both down. you can cast up to 535 grain for the 460 and 725 grain for the 50 (Is the highest I have seen).
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Are we still talking handgun loads here? I've never seen load data for a 500 magnum that has a 725gn bullet. The .50BMG runs projectiles that heavy... I have only found factory ammo in 350 and 400gn for the S&W 500, but that doesn't mean something bigger isn't out there. Sure if price is an issue, go for the 460, but if price IS an issue then just stick to 9mm.
 
joe.danay said:
Are we still talking handgun loads here? I've never seen load data for a 500 magnum that has a 725gn bullet. The .50BMG runs projectiles that heavy... I have only found factory ammo in 350 and 400gn for the S&W 500, but that doesn't mean something bigger isn't out there. Sure if price is an issue, go for the 460, but if price IS an issue then just stick to 9mm.
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Yes handgun loads, you don't need published data, you just have to know what your doing.
 
I'm the wrong person to try and talk you out of one. I have one, and absolutely love it!

A .44 Mag gets people talking on the line. The .460 stops the line cold with everyone looking at you.

They are a blast to shoot! :rockOn:

Haven't tried the .500 like others here have, but I just got a BFR in .50AE that's gonna see some target time with the .460 this weekend. Time to knock the snow off the shoot hut!!

(E) :cool:
 
joe.danay said:
Are we still talking handgun loads here? I've never seen load data for a 500 magnum that has a 725gn bullet. The .50BMG runs projectiles that heavy... I have only found factory ammo in 350 and 400gn for the S&W 500, but that doesn't mean something bigger isn't out there. Sure if price is an issue, go for the 460, but if price IS an issue then just stick to 9mm.
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yes that is out of a "handgun" I have a 14 inch performance center model so I have plenty of barrel to stabilize the heavy rounds. I have a tripple 400 grain mold a 460 grain mold and a tripple 500 grain mold (from Accurate molds.

I personally use a very hard compound of lead to withstand the extreme pressure (up to 65,000 psi) and a gas check design to accomplish obturation. I am running the heavy bullets to help bring down velocity to extend barrel life while delivering the same kinetic energy. you have to run lube's that rated for magnum use which are usually a hard compound needing a heater on your lube sizer.

the 460 also has "gain twist" rifling that helps to start the bullet rotating at a slower speed and then the rifling twists faster once it has a hold of it to get it up to the proper speed. if you tried to make it twist full speed right away the rifling can sheer off lead. gain twist rifling came out in the 460 after the 500 was designed and in production

I have seen reports of a guy with a 14 inch 460 push a 535 grain shell 1973 fps. that would drop anything that walks on earth.

I 500 does have more kinetic energy, but there is not much you could ever do with a 500 that you cant do with a 460. and you can do it with less cost.

not my pic but

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I have acquired 10 handguns (7 keepers) over the past year, with three revolvers in the mix. Here is the order:

1) GP100 6" blued
2) S&W 627 .357
3) S&W 629 4.2" .44 Magnum

My dilemma lies in reloading. I want to continue working my way up, to the 460 next, then the 500, but not without reloading in mind.

I have had to push my emotion aside, and I am getting ready to purchase a Dillon press before I continue. Sometimes logic has to take over sooner rather than later.

I would never talk you out of the 460, but use logic and not just emotion unless you have an endless amount of money to burn. IMHO. Dillon press first, 460 second.

I know, this hurts my head as well just thinking about it. I want that 460 ASAP!
 
Go for the 500.

Versatility of the 460 three caliber is negated with the 454 Casull and 45 Colt being about as mainstream as the 460 so they ain't cheap. Same boat as who shots 44 specials out of a 44 Mag?
Reloader don't want to bother with 3 calibers, PITA.

460 isn't cheaper to shoot. If cost is a real factor don't go into either 460 nor 500. Stick with 9mm.

Don't reload, you're rich or crazy. My 500 reload price, Based on per 1000 units, 23¢ Berry bullet, 14¢ powder, 3¢ primer is 40¢ per shot (not including brass which were 60¢) (price from late 2012, yup, haven't shot up the 1000 yet so don't know current price).
 
burnaby said:
Don't reload, you're rich or crazy. My 500 reload price, Based on per 1000 units, 23¢ Berry bullet, 14¢ powder, 3¢ primer is 40¢ per shot (not including brass which were 60¢) (price from late 2012, yup, haven't shot up the 1000 yet so don't know current price).
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burnaby, thanks for the breakdown in costs of reloading 500. So it works out to under a buck a round plus the reloading equipment. What's a decent press that a low volume shooter like myself should look for? I shoot ~ 2-3 cylinders of each once a month.

I'm interested in loading 460 & 44mag. I'm neither rich nor crazy (somewhere in between?) but I've save all my brass to date.

fwiw...when I went shopping it came down to the fact that I could find ammo (454, 45LC, 460mag) to shoot the 460v. 500 ammo was scarce. As mentioned I'm not a reloader(yet).
 
burnaby said:
Go for the 500.

Versatility of the 460 three caliber is negated with the 454 Casull and 45 Colt being about as mainstream as the 460 so they ain't cheap. Same boat as who shots 44 specials out of a 44 Mag?
Reloader don't want to bother with 3 calibers, PITA.

460 isn't cheaper to shoot. If cost is a real factor don't go into either 460 nor 500. Stick with 9mm.
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versatility negated? nonsense (ironically). 454 and 45 colt are definitely more mainstream than 460 which is in turn more mainstream than the 500.
 
If your gonna spend $1300 plus on a revolver that you plan on shooting primarily .45 or .454 from why not just go buy a revolver in those calibers and stop wasting your time being a poser with a big x frame revolver in your hands. Buying a 460 is like having 8 inches but can't get it up. :p

500 S&W Magnum separates the men from the boys. ;)
 
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