S&W 460 XVR: Experience?

[Huntolive]

I have a fairly well-developed collection of revolvers mostly for hunting from 357 up to 454 Casull.

I have been eyeing Smith & Wesson 460 xvr. They have compensator at the end of the barrel and claim to shoot much smoother softer than a 454 Casull.
The speeds 460 produces and relatively flat shooting seem interesting.

what experience does anyone have with this particular model I'm looking at one with an 8 and 3/8 inch barrel which seems to be the standard length.

Also it says they are satin stainless finish but does that mean that it's a dull stainless or like a shiny almost mirror stainless?

Are there any true advantages what the 460 over 44 Magnum and 454 Casull that justify buying a lightly-used one in excellent condition for $850?

 

[wagonburner]

Are there any true advantages what the 460 over 44 Magnum and 454 Casull that justify buying a lightly-used one in excellent condition for $850?

Stop looking for an excuse and just buy it.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Have the 5 inch and love it,buy it and have fun!!

 

[earlthegoat2]

The 460 has more of everything else except bullet compared to the 454. That being primarily more powder and higher pressures.

$850 is a good price so if you try it out and don’t like it you can get your money back.

 

[gotboostvr]

I like the X frames personally. I had a 3" 500, and a buddy has a 8" 460.

Shooting either was much easier than some smaller 44mag's. I personally would run 50rds every time I took my 500 out with no ill effects. If you've had some practice with big magnums, you're gonna love the 460.

The only drawback, is they're BIG. I'd like to get another one some day, but still have no idea what for. I've still got dies, brass and bullets sitting around for the 500.

 

[buck460XVR]

The biggest advantage the .460 has over .44 is range and bullet weight. Main advantage it has over .454, besides the slight velocity advantage, is that the X-Frame Platform is much more pleasant to shoot and generally more accurate that most .454 platforms. I have the 10.5" P.C. Compensated Hunter. Scary accurate and as pleasant to shoot as my P.C. Magnum Hunter. Both are dedicated hunting models that are also fun to shoot at the range.

 

[MaxP]

Not a huge fan of the X-frame but love the round. Personally I prefer the BFR as the platform. With a 7 1/2-inch barrel you can still shoot it well offhand as the balance is very good, and you will typically see higher velocities from the BFR. However, if you like the X-frame, by all means get it.

Make no mistake about it, the .460 is a hammer but it demands high-quality bullets to avoid disaster. I have found the 300 grain Swift A-frame is about as good as it gets. A friend took Swift’s factory loads to South Africa two years ago and killed 13 animals ranging from wart hog to Cape buffalo and got flawless performance on virtually everything. They run right at 2,000 fps out of his BFR.

 

[cfullgraf]

The S&W 460 XVR has a brushed finish like virtually all the standard production S&W Stainless revolvers.

Recoil is great but the weight of the revolver makes it not so sharp.

I've developed a 1100 fps or so cast bullet load for the 460 case that is a great plinking load. It is great for practicing to get the feel of the revolver and reduces wasting the high dollar full power rounds. Of course, this could be done with 45 Colt ammunition.

 

[Rodentman]

I like the ability to shoot either 45 colt, 454 or 460. Yes, it's large and heavy but still packs quite the recoil. I would not want to shoot a steady diet of factory ammo. I think reloading is a huge advantage in big bores.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

My 460 XVR experience has been FANTASTIC. I own the 10.5inch Performance Center model. Recoil isn't unbearable but you better be ready.

Mine is scoped and at 50 yards my first shot always hits the bullseye. I'm shooting 300gr Speer Deep Curls made for the 454 Casull. I use Starline 460 brass and keep my velocity at top end 454 velocity.

 

[Obturation]

The 460 xvr is a great gun, if you need it and can tolerate the size & weight. If you've read some of @MaxP 's writing on it you'll learn all you need to know. I love the 454 casull but the recoil can be disproportionate to performance, the appeal is two fold for me- common components & size of the guns. The x frame tames recoil with it's size but doesn't add much unless you're looking for extended range. A large critter at 50 yards won't know if it was shot with a 454 casull or a 460 mag. Both will likely fully expand and exit. I've heard the compensator on the xvr is supposed to work best with the 460 rounds due to gas volume , I haven't fired 454s from an xvr but I've been told they have more recoil than the 460 rounds. typically 460s will have a lighter bullet at higher velocity. Personally I am satisfied with 454 but some require more range. I jokingly call my 10" FA83 "the original xvr" because it does boost velocity over a SRH with the tight cylinder gap and long barrel.
I say buy the xvr, don't need or like it, sell.
You need no excuse or justification to buy a big bore.

 

[MaxP]

Side note. You are better off downloading the .460 than expecting acceptable accuracy from .45 Colt and .454 ammunition. I’ve never met a .460 that’ll shoot the shorter cases well.

 

[CraigC]

No thanks. I don't consider 5lb weight and 150-200yd range advantages for a revolver. Range is all it has over the other cartridges mentioned. No need for all that to kill Bambi, or anything really.

 

[scaatylobo]

I have been blessed as to have been allowed to shoot 3 different .460's.

I now have about 25 rounds through them and I am really thinking about buying one to hunt white tail deer,carry in bear country,hog hunt [ when I can travel again ].

I want the 5" barrel one for ease of carry & drawing.

But I am thinking to get the 8" model as that is the only model I have fired and they were ACCURATE and felt recoil was not as bad as my Ruger .44 magnum with the HOT Buffalo Bore .305 grain that post 1300+ fps.

But at 5'4' and now past 70,I know I cannot carry the pistol with a long gun [ too much weight ].

The recoil was not bad at all,the BLAST was noticeable for real,I imagine that during a hunt I would not be able to ignore that felt & HEARD blast.

Having fired the .44 mag and T.C. .35 rem without ear protection and no after effects.

 

[MaxP]

No thanks. I don't consider 5lb weight and 150-200yd range advantages for a revolver. Range is all it has over the other cartridges mentioned. No need for all that to kill Bambi, or anything really.

I likely won’t shoot anything with a handgun at 200 yards - at least I’ve avoided it thus far, but that said, the .460 at closer ranges, considering the velocity it generates is a big step up terminally over nearly everything in a revolver. It knocks the snot out of game, even large game.

 

[CraigC]

But it doesn't kill them any deader, just shortens the blood trail. At the expense of lugging around a handgun that needs wheels.

Bottom line, if folks want to hunt deer with an X-frame topped with a giant scope, they don't need my blessing. I'm just sharing my opinion on the matter. Which is to say that one can accomplish the same task with a much lighter, much handier, much more sensible rig with much less recoil and blast.

 

[MaxP]

But it doesn't kill them any deader, just shortens the blood trail. At the expense of lugging around a handgun that needs wheels.

Bottom line, if folks want to hunt deer with an X-frame topped with a giant scope, they don't need my blessing. I'm just sharing my opinion on the matter. Which is to say that one can accomplish the same task with a much lighter, much handier, much more sensible rig with much less recoil and blast.

It puts a considerably more significant hurt on animals, just like .500 S&W does. The price to pay is a much larger revolver. In a shoulder rig it’s not obtrusive IMHO, but all that terminal goodness (technical term) is worth the price IMHO.

 

[sparkyv]

The 460S&W is an awesome platform; I chose it over the 500S&W because of more readily available and thus, less costly projectiles. I prefer the 5" 460V. Plenty of bulk to absorb recoil with a manageable bbl length. I do not, however care for the compensator. It's ridiculously loud, and I can really feel the concussive effect. I sometimes wonder if my eyebrows get singed! Regarding shooting 45C and 454, I've obtained plenty of advice from Max and others, and downloading indeed is the way to go; downloading is super easy and accurate loads can be had without much effort.

Side note. You are better off downloading the .460 than expecting acceptable accuracy from .45 Colt and .454 ammunition. I’ve never met a .460 that’ll shoot the shorter cases well.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I’ve been shooting a 460V for a decade or so and find it a fun gun to own.

Extra velocity gets you more range with a big heavy bullet. Lighter bullets shoot like a laser but aren’t really appropriate for many applications. You’re only really going to take advantage of that range with it scoped.

The finish is standard dull S&W stainless. But some time in front of the tv with Mother’s Mag Polish can do wonders.
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[Targa]

lightly-used one in excellent condition for $850?

If I were interested in one I would be all over it at that price.

 

[wagonburner]

The only issue I had with hunting with a 460 was the noise. My ears were ringing hours. I invested in some good electronic ear protection since then which I use during all my hunts now.

 

[dickydalton]

Good price. I've had mine since 2006 and must admit that I haven't shot an animal with it yet. I do love shooting it and I have shot 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards with it. The main loads I do for power are Cast Performance 360 grain LWFNGC hard cast over Lil'Gun at 1890 FPS and 300 Grain XTPs at just over 2000 FPS. I need to shoot it more or sell it.

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• dickydalton
• Mar 29, 2020

 

[Typetwelve]

Not a huge fan of the X-frame but love the round. Personally I prefer the BFR as the platform. With a 7 1/2-inch barrel you can still shoot it well offhand as the balance is very good, and you will typically see higher velocities from the BFR. However, if you like the X-frame, by all means get it.

Make no mistake about it, the .460 is a hammer but it demands high-quality bullets to avoid disaster. I have found the 300 grain Swift A-frame is about as good as it gets. A friend took Swift’s factory loads to South Africa two years ago and killed 13 animals ranging from wart hog to Cape buffalo and got flawless performance on virtually everything. They run right at 2,000 fps out of his BFR.

Lately, I've had my eye on a longer range revolver. I began looking at the BFR and in 444 Marlin or 450 Marlin/45-70 and in my online travels, I began looking at the .460. I compared the BFR to the X-Frame Smith and honestly, I'd rather have the BFR, especially now that they make is in a Bisley style frame.

 

[MaxP]

Lately, I've had my eye on a longer range revolver. I began looking at the BFR and in 444 Marlin or 450 Marlin/45-70 and in my online travels, I began looking at the .460. I compared the BFR to the X-Frame Smith and honestly, I'd rather have the BFR, especially now that they make is in a Bisley style frame.

I had a .444 and I still have a .45/70 as well as a .460 and if you want to shoot longer ranges, the .460 is the best choice in my opinion.

 

[Typetwelve]

I had a .444 and I still have a .45/70 as well as a .460 and if you want to shoot longer ranges, the .460 is the best choice in my opinion.

Being a 44 fanboy, I was really interested in 444...but doing some reading, projectiles on the market are very limited for that round. 45-70 seems like it doesn't like a 10.5" barrel and takes more powder than a .460 to load (same for 450 Marlin). Looking at things, .460 has a ton of projectiles I can use and is already a load developed for a revolver.