460 load

Got a S&W 460. Been using .454 Casull loads cause I can't find the Hornady 200g. SST. Has anyone tried the Barnes 200g bullets made for the 460?

Thanks ........ Mike

 

I've tried the Barnes 200 grain bullets. As I recall, over a load of H110/Win. 296 I got 2 inch 100 yard groups off the bench. I think they're a good bullet but a bit pricey for my tastes.

 

Thanks Grumulkin, Do you have what grain weights you tried and what gave you the best groups? I'll give em' a try.

Mike

 

My recipie was:

Starline Brass
Federal 210M primers
Powder H110/Win. 296
Length seated to almost where the ogive starts

My notes show that with the Barnes 200 gr. XPB, I got 2 MOA with 46 grains of H110. I also worked up some loads with Hornady 200 gr. XTP bullets. The best accuracy was in the 46 to 48 gr. range of H110. I didn't do adequate experimentation with the Barnes bullets to tell if 47 or 48 gr. loads will do as well or better than the 46 gr. load.

The usual advice of cautiously working up loads in your own gun apply.

 

So how do you guys like the big 460??

I have a 500 S&W but I seriously considered the 460.
I went with the .50 cal cause I wanted the biggest nastiest thing on the Range.....and I got it, I just love this thing!!!!

 

For a cheaper .460 load I use the Hornady 250gr XTP bullets - $18 per 100. 46grains of H110 with LRM primer works well and it's easy to remember - 46grains for the 460.

The .460 is my wife's gun. She loves it because of it's accuracy. She usually shoots 3 boxes each range visit about once a week so I had to start reloading! We like the .460 over the .500 because it seems to have more muzzle blast.

 

I actually use the Hornady XTP bullet for my 357 Herrett, my 460 S&W Mag. and my 500 S&W Mag. and have been quite satisfied with performance in the accuracy department. I've taken no game with the 460 & 500 S&W Mags. The 158 gr. XTP in the 357 Herrett has taken a Black Wildebeest among other things. The advantage of the Barnes bullet is the pointy bullet and not the price. My strategy for Barnes bullets is to work up a load with cheap bullets and then use Barnes bullets for fine tuning.

As far as the 460 vs 500 S&W question; I like both. Admittedly I don't really need both as each will take any land animal out there. The 460 S&W has a bit flatter trajectory. I think the recoil in both is quite similar. Good ear protection is a must and a weight lifters glove on the right hand will keep the skin from being torn off.

 

Thanks Again Grumulkin,
Got your data in my notes and can't wait to try out some loads.

Mike