lobo9er
Member
game is white tail possibly black bear, with in 100 yards.
44mag or 460
- Thread starter lobo9er
- Start date
- Status
I have taken mule deer and whitetail with a .44 mag Smith..What type of terrain are we talking about?Heavy wooded?If so then most likely the .460..Both in open range will do the job..At a hundred yards you will need a steady hand and a good load.At that range I would say the .460 is the best choice..
Buck Snort
Member
Check the price of ammo before you buy.
I took last season's deer with a 240 grain hollowpoint at 60 yards with my Marlin .44 rifle. I'd estimate that terminal velocity was about 1400 fps (about 1400ftlbs KE). The bullet cookie cuttered through the rib on the front side and left a gaping hole on the off side (no recovered bullet). I don't think you need anything bigger for a whitetail at any reasonable range.
buck460XVR
Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2007
- Messages
- 10,087
Do you reload? If you do, you'll love the .460, if you don't, you'll probably never shoot it enough to get good with it. Factory hunting ammo for the .460 costs anywhere from $1.50 to $4 a pop.....and unlike .44mag, not that many places stock .460 ammo. What ranges are most of your shots? If most are more than 75 yards, again the .460 will shine. Under that and the point is moot.
Handguns rounds shot outta rifles are a whole different animal. I hunt with .44s, and .357s, in both handguns and carbines. Comparing what's shot outta a rifle to a handgun is like comparing apples to oranges. The .460 outta a handgun will still outperform a .44 outta a carbine tho.........at least that's my experience. My .460 handgun is also more accurate out to 200yards than my .44 carbine.
Handguns rounds shot outta rifles are a whole different animal. I hunt with .44s, and .357s, in both handguns and carbines. Comparing what's shot outta a rifle to a handgun is like comparing apples to oranges. The .460 outta a handgun will still outperform a .44 outta a carbine tho.........at least that's my experience. My .460 handgun is also more accurate out to 200yards than my .44 carbine.
OP
OP
lobo9er
Member
all good points thanx! i was reading that 460 has the same energy at 300 yards that 44 has at 50! thats insane but i doubt I will ever need that much handgun. I doubt I will ever take a 300 yard shot with a handgun. Not meny places I hunt theres is opportunity to take 300 yards shots at all lol. so in short 460 would be fun but I doubt I will go that route for now.
Nicodemus38
Member
- Joined
- May 11, 2009
- Messages
- 583
Most people who geta 44 magnum end up with a desire to use heavy duty 44 +P cartridges. not many handguns on the market can stand up to the chamber pressure, the recoil on the lockwork, or have the correct cylinder length.
ergo if you decide you want that route, youll most likely want the good old 460 sw, as youll have the fun of 45 colt in any form, and 454 in any form. and then the .460 uses heavier slugs to more insane pressure and energy levels.
ergo if you decide you want that route, youll most likely want the good old 460 sw, as youll have the fun of 45 colt in any form, and 454 in any form. and then the .460 uses heavier slugs to more insane pressure and energy levels.
Magnumite
Member
"the good old 460 sw, as youll have the fun of 45 colt in any form, and 454 in any form. and then the .460 uses heavier slugs to more insane pressure and energy levels"
there's a mouthful. Now I'm interested.
there's a mouthful. Now I'm interested.
If you want the ability to shoot a wide range of big game, the 460 may be the choice.
But if the limit of what you will hunt with it are whitetails/hogs up to 100 yards, the 44 Mag will do it, has a wide variety of factory loads readily available, lots of variety for reloads, is somewhat cheaper and can be a joy to shoot for a day at the range.
My friend's .460 is a beautiful machine that has the versatility of 45LC, 454 as well as 460. That gun with 460, can shoot muleys out to 200 yards (didn't say he could though.
It's also a legit bear gun. It can be used to shoot whitetails to 100 yards using the 45LC. But to shoot 460s for a day at the range, not so much. You'll probably find that the versatility has some necessary adjustments in that it will shoot 45 LC, 454 and 460s to different points of impact at the same distance because of the different trajectories. The only cons I see are that it's big, heavy to hold and carry.
Decide how you will shoot it over time and you should have your answer.
But if the limit of what you will hunt with it are whitetails/hogs up to 100 yards, the 44 Mag will do it, has a wide variety of factory loads readily available, lots of variety for reloads, is somewhat cheaper and can be a joy to shoot for a day at the range.
My friend's .460 is a beautiful machine that has the versatility of 45LC, 454 as well as 460. That gun with 460, can shoot muleys out to 200 yards (didn't say he could though.
It's also a legit bear gun. It can be used to shoot whitetails to 100 yards using the 45LC. But to shoot 460s for a day at the range, not so much. You'll probably find that the versatility has some necessary adjustments in that it will shoot 45 LC, 454 and 460s to different points of impact at the same distance because of the different trajectories. The only cons I see are that it's big, heavy to hold and carry.Decide how you will shoot it over time and you should have your answer.
Arkansas Paul
Member
The .460 will definately increase your range, if that's something you're concerned about.
Confederate
Member
There's no doubt that the .460 outclasses the .44 mag, but Elmer Keith showed that the .44 will drop just about anything on the continent. If you're a handloader and if you don't have either, go with the .460. (I'd prefer a rifle, though, as hauling large, heavy revolvers, especially with scopes just doesn't appeal to me.)
The 6-inch 629 is still a great brush gun, but many will prefer a heavy single-action. If you can handle a .460 and don't already have a .44, and if you can afford it, the .460 clearly is the winner. But does it lie beyond the point of diminishing return?
Only you can answer that.
The 6-inch 629 is still a great brush gun, but many will prefer a heavy single-action. If you can handle a .460 and don't already have a .44, and if you can afford it, the .460 clearly is the winner. But does it lie beyond the point of diminishing return?
Only you can answer that.
MovedWest
Member
What a silly question! You should know that if you have to ask - GET BOTH!
Seriously though, I have multiple 44 magnum revolvers and I love them. I load and the versatility gives some nice results. I *never* feel that I don't have enough gun with me when I take one to task.
That being said, being able to fire .45LC, .454, and throw .460 lightning bolts is very appealing. So, back to my first thought... GET BOTH!
-MW
Magnumite
Member
My biggest hangup with the 460/500 guns is their size - and ammo price. It will take a decent round count to get proficient with it. Even though I am interested in the gun and round, I'd have no problems sticking with my 44 Magnums for any game on this continent. Ammo is everywhere and reloadability is great.
And it is a "smaller" gun.
And it is a "smaller" gun.
atlanticfire
Member
I have both, and find myself using the .44 (629 w/8") more, it might just be cause I’m more comfortable with it. The 460 is awesome no doubt, but the 44 proves more than proficient for the small deer of the eastern shore. Here is my 44, don't have any pics of my 460 all cleaned up.
Last edited:
FROGO207
Member
I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 10" barrel and have good luck out to 75 yd with eastern whitetail. That's about max range where I hunt so tailor my loads to this. The big guns would be a little overkill for my usage but you may feel differently. BTW I am using Iron sights presently as I have taken the scope off, for this hunting season at least.
- Status