the other hot question: SW 460 or SW 500?

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saxsaxsax

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Hi all,

So as I'm saving up some cash for a new gun...I was debating between a SW500 vs a SW460V.

I like the SW500 as a ego thing--Have the biggest baddest caliber handgun in town and shoot a round (or two...) at the range once a while!

The 460 might be more practical considering it takes the 454 cassul and 45 long colt...(which is far cheaper to shoot).

I mean, both are equally useless in Canada considering we can only kill paper with it...but maybe there is a balance between money and ego...?

I have no problems finding the SW500 dies and possibly powder for it, but brass and bullets are a real PITA, if anyone can find a place that have bullets and brass (even in the states, I don't mind the importation paperwork/tax) for the SW500 mag, then I'll forget about the 460V and go with the SW500.

Thanks!
 
Practical lmao. Get the .500. If you get the .460, you'll always have "one less". Don't listen to any of the negative feedback about buying it. I got a .50 Desert Eagle. It's absolutely useless, but I smile every time I fire it. $$$ be damned. The cost for one of the few things I have that makes me completely happy in life is more than worth it.

Cannon
 
actually while the 500 is totted as the biggest hand cannon you can get the 460 is no slouch either, infact it has a couple records of its own, chiefly being the fastest hand cannon on the market.
also some would argue that the 460 has better balistics then the 500 (for store ammo, you can do some crazy stuff with hand loads)

Smith and Wesson boasts that the .460 S&W is the highest velocity revolver cartridge in the world, firing bullets at 2330 ft/s. With Buffalo Bore's new loading, the .460 S&W can achieve nearly 2900 ft-lb of energy by driving a 360 grain bullet at 1900 ft/s.[3] For comparison .500 S&W Magnum offers slightly more energy at the muzzle, driving a 350 grain bullet at 1975 ft/s for a total of 3031 ft-lb.[4]
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Wikipedia

i dont have a dog in this fight but i have shot both and TBH they are the identical gun frame and handle even barrel.
the only difference being a couple of hairs bigger on the 500's barrel.

if i was gonna chuck $1500 at either id go the 460 for the reasons you listed above, that being the versatility of different cheaper rounds.
but, if your only wanting them to have the biggest bike on the block then the 500 is what ya want.
 
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If you want the biggest and baddest, there is no choice, get the 500S&W. If you want a pratical compromise, get the 460.

It's what you'll be satisfied with.
 
I've never fired a 500…yet but my 460V gives me plenty of Sh*ts & Giggles.
Forget about shooting 1 or 2 rounds at a session you need to shoot 1 or 2 full cylinders to get the full "burn" marks:). IMO the 5"bbl 460V wins in the "looks" dept….YMMV
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If you sight your 460 in for one round it will not be accurate for the others. This is an issue with these multi round guns. Good idea being able to shoot multiple rounds but not in terms of accuracy. If your shooting the .45 Colt than you will have to clean the excess powder etc. before the other rounds can be chambered. According to Freedom Arms and their guns anyway.
 
What swayed me to purchasing a 460 over a 500 was availability of reloading components, mainly bullets. Many, many options out there for 45cal bullets, but very few for 50cal.
 
I have a 500 S&W and it's not hard to find brass or bullets for it once you look around a bit, though the bullets are more expensive than 45 caliber bullets for the 460 S&W. As for bullet selection you can get from 300 to 500 grain jacketed bullets and some guys are casting 700 grain bullets for it, what else do you need for killing paper and steel? saxsaxsax, if you have any questions feel free to send me a PM
 
Jonny_Cannon said:
Practical lmao. Get the .500. If you get the .460, you'll always have "one less". Don't listen to any of the negative feedback about buying it. I got a .50 Desert Eagle. It's absolutely useless, but I smile every time I fire it. $$$ be damned. The cost for one of the few things I have that makes me completely happy in life is more than worth it.

Cannon
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True, you know what, they say money doesn't buy happiness, but Money buys a SW500...which is the samething as happiness!
 
500 is the way to go... I got my reloading set up and supplies through Henry at Budget Shooter Supply, he's on vacation mode for another month, but by the time you get the money for the gun and maybe a box or two of factory loads, he'll have you right as rain
 
There is a half inch hole in the ceiling up at my range (PCDHFC) that was put there by a first time 500 S&W shooter. He loaded all 5 chambers and was so surprised by the recoil that he squeezed off another round right into the ceiling. I think it is still there above stall 17 or 18...I kind of chuckle every time I see it.
I reload and cast...even so the 500 is expensive to run, there is one at my local gun store that I look at but so far I have been able to resist.
Just got a 44 Magnum which is a step up from .45ACP/.45 Colt but it is not ridiculous recoil, haven't tried shooting it one handed yet but I think it is possible.
 
first time i shot a 460 with full loads i fired one shot and had to put the gun down, had a instant headache from the concussive wave it chucked out.
i must have had a head cold or something brewing.

ive since shot it a couple times with no repeat.
but seriously, any gun that can give you a headache from shooting it has to put a smile on your face!

and the fireballs!
OMG, if and when i inherit my dads 460 im gonna have it inscribed with 'Fire Breathing Dragon' on the side!!!
 
I also vote for the 460. I've had one a couple years and take a lot of new shooters out. I think I've hooked more people letting them shoot the 460 with a 45 Colt round than anything else. Mine is the XVR 8.3" barrel for a little extra "visual insanity", but I certainly do appreciate the look of the 5".
 
Ext said:
I also vote for the 460. I've had one a couple years and take a lot of new shooters out. I think I've hooked more people letting them shoot the 460 with a 45 Colt round than anything else. Mine is the XVR 8.3" barrel for a little extra "visual insanity", but I certainly do appreciate the look of the 5".
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I let friends shoot 45 as well, a couple of cylinders or whatever they want. Then I like telling them the next shot is one single 460 round, but load another 45 Colt. The look is always priceless as they wondered what just happened. Takes the edge off of the first 460 shot when they do decide to shoot one.

(for the record I've never done the opposite, told them it was 45 and loaded larger. That might not be so safe in a 460 recoil situation)
 
Sometimes you just gotta go big.
I started out with a S&W 460V. Then I got a DE in 50AE. This pushed me to get a BFR in 50AE. Now I'm getting a S&W Performance Center 500.

I understand the versatility of the 460. I like that aspect of it. A local, small, indoor range only allows 45 Colt as the top caliber that can be shot there. My 460 (with nuclear level Colt loads :evil:) gets to come with me. The others have to wait for a warm day to shoot outdoors:(.

From the bullet choices and cost, the 460 wins. Not the largest caliber on the block, but she's top shelf in the power ratings.
If you have no range or ammo issues, get the 500.
Either one will put a huge grin on your face.

(E) :cool:
 
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