44 magnum vs 460? Here's what I found.

[Typetwelve]

Ok...so I've been chomping at the bit to do this, so here's what I found.

Fist off, I'm going to give the disclaimer that this is MY load data and mine alone...use this at your own risk!

With that said. I wanted to compare my 7.5" Super Redhawk and my 460 x-frame. Give or take, both are 7.5" barreled. Here's the fellas:


They weigh in nearly identical at 4.4 bs each. Th SRH is actually 4.401 lbs, the 460 4.490 lbs.

On to the loads. Attempting to be as fair as possible, I wanted to use the same projectiles so I ran with Hornady XTP (and XTP MAG), 240g and 300g. All were using Starline brass. Here's the load data:

44 mag- 240g XTP. 24.1g H110, Win LP mag primer, 1.600" OAL
44 mag- 300g XTP. 24.1g H110, Win LP mag primer, 1.750" OAL (This is using Brian Pierce load info)

460 mag- 240g XTP. 48g H110, Fed LR mag primer, 2.160"OAL
460 mag- 300g XTP. 39g H110, Fed LR mag primer, 2.165"OAL

Here's the loads (240g on the L, 300g on the R):


(I've never loaded 44 mag that long before, but they do fit perfectly in my Super Redhawk cylinder.)

So I took these out today, high 70's outside. Chrono from 10'"

44 mag- 240g XTP. 1433 fps, energy 1094 ft/lb,15.51 ft/lb of recoil
44 mag- 300g XTP. 1277 fps, energy 1086 ft/lb, 18.24 ft/lb recoil

460 mag- 240g XTP. 1941 fps, energy 2007 ft/lb, 35.19 ft/lb recoil
460 mag- 300g XTP. 1704 fps, energy 1934 ft/lb, 35.23 ft/lb recoil

What did I learn? Well...those extra 500 fps between the 44 magnum and the 460 come with a steep price. Where I found the 44 magnum loads to be very stout, but well within the comfort zone, the 460 loads kicked like an angry mule and rang my ears through foamies AND muffs. With that said, I loved every min of it, the 460 is a riot to shoot. Then again, pushing a 240g pill at scraping 2000 fps from revolver (and a hand load) is no joke.

What else did I learn? Those Brian Pierce loads really aren't anything special. Seated to 1.750" over 24.1g of H110 produced 1277 fps, seated to 1.600" and over 19.5g of H110, they are spitting out at 1224 fps. Hornady says I can go up to 20.1g.

Either way, hope you enjoy the data.

 

[lordpaxman]

.460 is just a mean cartridge, there aren’t any two ways about it. I hope you’re using the “mag” version of the XTPs for the .460. It does do interesting things to fruit such as watermelon, pineapple or cantaloupe. Good luck!

 

[bluetopper]

Looks like they acted about like they were supposed to. Is it not about what you expected.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

44 mag- 240g XTP. 24.1g H110, Win LP mag primer, 1.600" OAL
460 mag- 240g XTP. 48g H110, Fed LR mag primer, 2.160"OAL

44 mag- 240g XTP. 1433 fps, energy 1094 ft/lb,15.51 ft/lb of recoil
460 mag- 240g XTP. 1941 fps, energy 2007 ft/lb, 35.19 ft/lb recoil

Double your powder, double your fun.

 

[Virginia Jim]

I wish I could loan you my .480 Ruger SRH to do a comparison.

 

[Toprudder]

I’ve got a 10” 44 Blackhawk, and a 460 S&W. Love to shoot both, but there isn’t much comparison between the two. Thanks for the data!

 

[Typetwelve]

Looks like they acted about like they were supposed to. Is it not about what you expected.

I guess you could look at it that way, but there's no much fun in that. I'd guess that for most of us, this is a hobby...I know it is for me. I read data here/there, but I wanted to do it for myself and more importantly, experience it for myself.

For me personally, I wanted to see if I could hit manufacturer performance from a reload, and I did just that. With Underwood's 460 240 and 300g XTP loads, the publish a muzzle velocity of 2000 fps for their 240, 1750 fps for the 300. I was right on the button with my loads, which means I was doing it right.

Again...you could take the nihilist stance of "these are all pre-paved roads, why bother exploring them yourself?", but I like having fun with my hobby. I enjoyed this little experiment.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I would love to try shooting a 460 or 500 Magnum but I only weigh 180lbs and I don't want to get a barrel in the face.
I actually thought about buying a 480 Ruger because I do like big bores and I think I may be able to handle that one for a couple cylinders full, anyways.
I have shot bullseye style, with one hand, Grizzly Ammo loads, out of my .41 magnum with one hand, 255 gr hard cast that were supposed to be 1350 fps. I didn't think that was anything to complain about.
I guess I need to man up and just do it once. I've been offered to shoot 460 and 500 and declined, but I haven't been presented a 480 to try yet. I might love it.
Guess I'm one of the wieners. (for now anyways)

 

[Varminterror]

My wife is 5’4” and 120lbs, she had her own 460 S&W for several years. Recoil management of big bore revolvers has very little to do with raw body mass.

 

[Typetwelve]

I would love to try shooting a 460 or 500 Magnum but I only weigh 180lbs and I don't want to get a barrel in the face.
I actually thought about buying a 480 Ruger because I do like big bores and I think I may be able to handle that one for a couple cylinders full, anyways.
I have shot bullseye style, with one hand, Grizzly Ammo loads, out of my .41 magnum with one hand, 255 gr hard cast that were supposed to be 1350 fps. I didn't think that was anything to complain about.
I guess I need to man up and just do it once. I've been offered to shoot 460 and 500 and declined, but I haven't been presented a 480 to try yet. I might love it.
Guess I'm one of the wieners. (for now anyways)

I'm 200lbs, you're not a pee-wee by a long shot. I don't feel you'd have any issues with a 460 or 500.

...but I will say this; I shot a 500 8" a few years back. 3 rounds and that was enough for me, really hurt my wrist. My 460, while a handful, is not nearly as violent. Both of the loads I made were some hard kicking business...but with recoil in the 35 ft/lb range, they're a way off from the 50-70+ ft/lb a 500 can dish out.

My wife is 5’4” and 120lbs, she had her own 460 S&W for several years. Recoil management of big bore revolvers has very little to do with raw body mass.

True, you just need to learn to handle them. I'm glad I spent as much time as I have with the Super Redhawk, it really taught me to deal with a harder kicking revolver. Funny as now it seems rather tame.

 

[Big Bore TX]

I would love to try shooting a 460 or 500 Magnum but I only weigh 180lbs and I don't want to get a barrel in the face.
I actually thought about buying a 480 Ruger because I do like big bores and I think I may be able to handle that one for a couple cylinders full, anyways.
I have shot bullseye style, with one hand, Grizzly Ammo loads, out of my .41 magnum with one hand, 255 gr hard cast that were supposed to be 1350 fps. I didn't think that was anything to complain about.
I guess I need to man up and just do it once. I've been offered to shoot 460 and 500 and declined, but I haven't been presented a 480 to try yet. I might love it.
Guess I'm one of the wieners. (for now anyways)

Totally depends on the platform. My 460 is the standard Smith XVR with 8.4" barrel. Heavy gun, hogue grip, awesome trigger, with a brake. I handload everything pretty much at book max and this gun (to me) is one of the easiest to handle, that I own. I weigh 178ish and have zero problems with the recoil. I think you'd feel the same.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

That helps alot.
Ill try the 460 or 480 if I get the chance again.

 

[lordpaxman]

My 460 is the standard Smith XVR with 8.4" barrel. Heavy gun, hogue grip, awesome trigger, with a brake. I handload everything pretty much at book max and this gun (to me) is one of the easiest to handle, that I own. I weigh 178is

I’ve got the same gun, I’ll admit it was a weak moment in the LGS when it was on the top shelf of the display case, a Leopoldo V3 sitting on top, looking lonely, price that couldn’t be beat.... You know the story. But 47 gr under a 240 XTP mag, and that’ll induce a flinch that’ll take half a year to recover from. I was at a class where we sent close to 700 rounds of 9mm downrange in a day, and the only problem was a small blister on the web of the hand. Shoot 6 from the 460 even with ears double stuffed and that’s about it for the day. I’m not going to tell you my weight or age, and kudos to y’all that think it’s fun, I think it’s mean. However, as a home defense firearm...

 

[Typetwelve]

Recoil is definitely subjective but the numbers are the numbers and it's hard to deny that. Muzzle brake or no, my standard 460 recoils considerably harder than anything I've ever felt from my Super Redhawk, and I've pushed some really hot loads through that one. With the 460, I'm good with about 20 full strength loads and that's about all I can take. Mostly, my right forearm gets sore from griping the thing. I love it, but I'd never tell most people that it's completely tolerable.

Depending on where you're shooting it, the blast is also off-putting. Making the data on this thread, they way I was shooting the 460 was EXTREMELY loud, made my ears ring big time. After 10 shots, it wasn't the recoil that got to me, it was the pain in my ears.

Maybe in time I'll grow accustomed to it and be able to have more range time with it, who knows. I know most only want 2-6 rounds with my SRH and I can shoot that thing for an hour if I wanted to. Perhaps I'll get there with the 460 as well, who knows.

 

[cfullgraf]

I would love to try shooting a 460 or 500 Magnum but I only weigh 180lbs and I don't want to get a barrel in the face.

I have a light load in 460 Mag cases for my 460 XVR (250 SWC at about 1000-1100 fps) that is fun to shoot. It is a good introduction to the gun for a new-to-the-460 shooter before taking on the full power ammunition.

Ruger level 45 Colt loads would probably offer the same introduction. I just like to avoid shooting short cases in my long chambered revolvers.

 

[buck460XVR]

I would love to try shooting a 460 or 500 Magnum but I only weigh 180lbs and I don't want to get a barrel in the face.

My youngest son started shooting my .460 P.C. Compensated Hunter when he was 11. About 95 pounds soaking wet and shot legitimate hunting type loads. Never had an issue. I have taught several young ladies to shoot handgun and worked them up from .22 thru the magnums(.357, .44, and .460). None of them had an issue with the X-Frame and none of them were close to 180 pounds. Now I probably wouldn't have done it, if it was the snubby and I was shooting BB dangerous game loads, but I've seen no issues with the long pipe and 300 grainers over a compressed load of IMR4227. Surprisingly, most folks shoot the .460 more accurately than my .357s and .44s, especially at distances past 40 yards. I think this says something for the platform itself.

I killed deer with both the .44 mag revolvers and the .460. Difference in wound channels is impressive.

 

[Toprudder]

What I have found with my 460 is that the tighter I grip it, especially with the support hand in a typical revolver hold, the web of my strong hand feels bruised after a few shots. In fact, I can shoot more rounds holding the gun with just one hand, using a firm grip (not a “death grip”) before I've had enough.

Look at how Jerry Miculek holds the 500 when rapid shooting, in the slow motion shots near the end of this video.

 

[jmorris]

I remember hanging out there one night before a Louisiana State Match held at that range. Sometime well after dark Jerry and Kay pulled up to the range in the old Toyota and he told us to get some hearing protection because he was about to knock some dirt daubers out of the rafters. He did, it was the first X frame I had seen.

 

[cfullgraf]

In the early 1980's, I had an opportunity to shoot a then relatively new 454 Casull revolver. It was the first gun to roll me back onto my heels under recoil.

I learned to appreciate the recoil of powerful revolvers and have learned to be prepared before shooting one. My 460 XVR has a stout recoil with full power ammunition but is manageable with proper preparation.

I love the potential to take out a big block Chevy with my 460 XVR.

 

[Toprudder]

In the video I linked to above, notice where his thumb is placed.

 

[.38 Special]

In the video I linked to above, notice where his thumb is placed.

I can hold my right thumb in its normal spot on the left side of the gun as long as I'm using very light loads - meaning 440 grains at 800 fps. Anything warmer than that and the cylinder release starts chewing on me. I sometimes will throw a few wraps of tape around my thumb, but by the time I'm into full power loads, I simply have to move my thumb to the right side of the frame.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

In the video I linked to above, notice where his thumb is placed.

I picked up and that and will definitely remember it if get my hands on one again. I can see how that hammer bite would really turn someone off of shooting them.

 

[sparkyv]

Some might consider a ~50fps increase special, but I agree not so much in this case.

Those Brian Pierce loads really aren't anything special. Seated to 1.750" over 24.1g of H110 produced 1277 fps, seated to 1.600" and over 19.5g of H110, they are spitting out at 1224 fps. Hornady says I can go up to 20.1g.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Since my current threshold is 45 Colt level 3 I will never experience the thrill of a 500 S&W. WOW!

 

[__steve__]

I believe recoil tolerance for a pistol has much less to do with strength and mass, and more to do with arm length and flexibility. I am 6’1”, 6’4” armspan, 168lb, with upper body flexibility and not much relative strength, and the 500 S&W is quite tolerable. Oddly enough, so long as I have a lobster grip, one-handed feels no different than my 44 except that my arm moves more from position of fire. Shooting a shotgun on the other hand is completely the opposite and puts a hurting on me because there’s nothing to absorb. But with how my upper body reacts to the kinetic energy of a 56oz revolver transferring 2800 ft/lbs of force, I often wonder if I loose some muzzle velocity.