Shooting the 460V

Because it can accept three different cartridges, more versitile, yes but that doesn't necessarily make it 'better'. For the most part, if I want to shoot another calibre, I'll get another gun. Less expensive to shoot perhaps if you're buying your ammo, yes. If you're 'rolling' your own, very little difference in cost.

.500 JHP's are much more expensive than a .452 JHP though. I only shoot jacketed from my 460 as everything is at max pressure anyways. I considered a performance center 500 but even the brass is more money. I'm shooting full house JHP 460 for about 40 cents a shot. :D
 
.500 JHP's are much more expensive than a .452 JHP though. I only shoot jacketed from my 460 as everything is at max pressure anyways. I considered a performance center 500 but even the brass is more money. I'm shooting full house JHP 460 for about 40 cents a shot. :D

True enough, there is a difference, but not one I'd describe as 'much more'. A quick check of a few items I picked up on one of my last shopping trips, the price stickers on the boxes are;
  • Speer, 45 cal for 45LC...........$26.oo/50
  • Hornady, 45 cal for 45LC........$23.oo/50
  • Hornady, 50 cal for 500 S&W...$34.oo/50
So with that, bullets cost me roughly 16 - 22 cents more/round for my 500 VS my 45LC. Yes, definately costs a bit more, ;)but you don't get something for nothing and that amount won't break the bank:).

Another cost saving factor is use of a variety of cast bullets I have available;
  • 350gr FNBB
  • 370gr RFNPB
  • 410gr 'Keith' style SWPB
  • 440gr LFNGC
And, for jacketed, I use the following;
  • Speer, 325gr HP, *modified (cannelure groove added)
  • Hornady, 350gr HP XTP/MAG
  • Sierra, 350gr JHP
  • Sierra, 400gr JSP
 
How do you add a cannelure? I have 1000 speer gold dots here that would be great in the .460 with a cannelure added. I can buy XTP JHP's for the 460 for $31/100 and they seem to work very well. I just wish I could find a hotter powder than 2400. :evil:
 
How do you add a cannelure? I have 1000 speer gold dots here that would be great in the .460 with a cannelure added. I can buy XTP JHP's for the 460 for $31/100 and they seem to work very well. I just wish I could find a hotter powder than 2400. :evil:

The guy I now get all my cast bullets from has some sort of a handcrank tool he mounts the bullet in and then cranks while adding preasure to a knurling wheel. As/the bottem target, that modified bullet works well:).

scan0001.jpg


I wasn't able to find loading data for that bullet in the 500 so I went with Hornady and Sierra data for used for their 350gr. I didn't chrono them but would estimate the velocity in the 1700 - 1800f/sec range. Just for the hell of it, I contacted Speer and they 'suggested' I drop the velocity to 1500f/sec as that's what the bullet is designed for.

You're looking for a powder hotter that 2400? What barrel length are you shooting and what bullet weights? Generally speaking, a few powders I'd be tempted to 'try' if I had a 460 would be something along the line of;
  • Hodgon Lil' Gun
  • H110
  • Winchester 296
 
I've been shooting Alliant 2400. It's been my go-to powder for 357mag, 44mag and 45 colt for a while now and seems to work pretty well. Still doesn't bark like factory Hornady ammo although I'm told nothing available to the home reloader will.....
 
I've been shooting Alliant 2400. It's been my go-to powder for 357mag, 44mag and 45 colt for a while now and seems to work pretty well. Still doesn't bark like factory Hornady ammo although I'm told nothing available to the home reloader will.....

A place to start out at may be to chrono the factory stuff and your reloads. If there's a difference there's gotta' be a way to match. The powders I suggested to you in my previous post is as/Hornadys own suggestions in their 7th edition manual.

Being one that follows the teachings of Keith, in the same calibres as you listed your use in, 2400 is also my go to powder, but mine is Hercules 2400. I have the better part of 2lbs left but once it's gone I'll quite likely go to H110.
 
Try Hornady LeverEvolution powder and you can see 2,400 ft/s with 200 FTX from Hornady brass in a 460V. It has been said that this is the factory load powder for Hornady 460V.

250 ftx can also be pushed to over 2,000 ft/s using Win 296 or VV N110.

Win 296 can be used to push Barnes 275 copper to velocities well above the rated Federal Premium velocities, although QuickLoad says not to. Fired 100 of these with no problem. Kicked hard as I recall.
 
Factory loads are always hotter, Have you pulled one apart? I bet there is very little powder in it compared to hand loads. I am sure they use a non commercially available powder. Probably something very fast.

Shhhhhh, it's the secret sauce ;)

Like the OP said at the beginning he wasn't able to replicate the factory load.

I couldn't do it either but it would be great if someone could share the secret sauce :cheers:
 
A buddy video'd me at the range tonight shooting my 460V. I'm already at max load and can't even get much muzzle jump.... :p

[youtube]xluFvlNfqIs[/youtube]


Who did you buy from? The 460V is in my short list for sure!!
Thanks for the vid...maybe shoot some outside for us ok??
SM
 
Who did you buy from? The 460V is in my short list for sure!!
SM

Keep in mind Smith discontinued the 5" 460V model. So if you want one get them while they're still available. When they're gone it would be either used or an 8 3/8" barrel model.

Epps is currently showing 2 on their website.



And just to add to the 460 fun, here's a crappy screen grab from a vid of me shooting mine with 200gr factory Hornady ammo.

boom2.jpg
 
Pics like the above explain the instructors words at my range officer course. The instructor explained that if you suspected someones gun was shaving lead, then you should hold up a piece of paper next to the gun as the shooter fires. If the paper has black on it it's unburnt powder. If it has holes in it, the revolver is shaving, and if the paper is on fire, you're shooting next to me. :D
 
Shhhhhh, it's the secret sauce ;)

Like the OP said at the beginning he wasn't able to replicate the factory load.

I couldn't do it either but it would be great if someone could share the secret sauce :cheers:

The factory Hornady FTX load is very full of powder producing a compressed load. These loads can be replicated exactly using LeverEvolution powder.
 
Back
Top Bottom