Any argument against 230gr FMJs for the .460 S&W?

[Snowdog]

A friend of mine purchased some Lee dies, Hodgdon H110 powder and Wincester magnum rifle primers, but no bullets.

I have an ample supply (circa 7,000) of Winchester 230gr FMJs for my .45acp 1911s and figure since they're .451/.452 just as the .460 S&W Magnum, it should work just fine.

None of my reloading manuals have any reloading information for the .460S&W Mag and there are only a few on-line that I've found so far that offer recipes for this cartridge. I found on Hodgdon's website some loads for this cartridge using the H110 on hand, but just as all other sites I've found so far, none offer any recipes for the 230gr projectiles intended for the .45acp; most seem to skip from the 200gr bullets straight to the 240 and 250 grain projectiles, missing the plentiful 230gr altogether..

Here's the question:

Since Hodgdon's site posted a recipe involving 46gr of H110 under a 240gr bullet as in between "starting load" and "max", could this also be used for 230grain bullets? I'm guessing by using figures intended for slightly heavier bullets, the pressure will be bit less if a slightly lighter bullets of the same caliber is used instead (even if the muzzle flash might be increased somewhat).

 

[Powderman]

Given that the bullet is of nominal diameter, and that heavier bullets are used, I see no reason why you can not use the 230 grain FMJ in the .460.

Now that I said that, I'll say this:

I am no expert on the caliber by any means, but the fact that the .460 develops such hellish velocities and pressures, I would probably refrain from using any bullet with an exposed base in the cartridge, except in reduced loads. Heaven knows that the jacket is thick enough, but there is exposed lead at the base.

As for me, I would use them--but only with a taper crimp, and only to .45 Colt velocities. Without a good roll crimp, you will have bullets jumping the case enough to tie up the cylinder.

 

[Crosshair]

Personaly, I would start with light .454 Casull loads and watch for bullet jump while working up your loads. The bullets jumping the crimp has me more worried than the exposed lead.

 

[Snowdog]

I would probably refrain from using any bullet with an exposed base in the cartridge, except in reduced loads.

Excellent point, Powderman. I hadn't considered bullet construction a potential problem. I know the .460 S&W Mag is capable of achieving pressures that nip the heels of 60,000 PSI and hadn't given any consideration to what those pressures might do to a bullet (with an exposed lead base) intended for cartridges that operate with pressures around 16,000 PSI.
However, one saving grace is the progressive rifling this revolver possesses. Perhaps this will be easier on the more fragile 230gr FMJs. Only time will tell.


Certainly I'll give that a bit of thought, though. Thanks for the pointer!

 

[Snowdog]

Crosshair,
I don't know if his die set has any crimp included (3 piece Lee carbide). However, I do have a taper crimp for my .45acp/.45 colt die set. I imagine I could use that to impart a healthy crimp if his set lacks a crimping die (which is hard to imagine with a revolver round this hot). I just wonder what a heavy crimp on a bullet without a cannelure will do to pressures. The more I think about this, the less I like the idea of 230gr FMJs loaded to 2000+ FPS from his .460S&W.

 

[Powderman]

Snowdog:

A crimp (roll crimp) on a jacketed bullet without cannelure will simply ruin the case.

A possible alternative would be to get a Lee Factory Crimp die for a .45 caliber rifle (if one is available), since the crimp on this die does not depend on a cannelure.

For a viable alternative, check out the Montana Gold line of jacketed bullets, especially the 185 grain JHP's. These are jacketed with cartridge brass (I believe) and have given me good results. But then, I have not loaded .460, either.

 

[Snowdog]

After having discussed the crimp issue with my buddy (works graveyard as well), he's likely going to foot the mere $12 or so for a box of Hornady 300gr XTPs. I'd imagine over a charge of 41 grains of H110, he'll have more of a beast to contend with, which is what he's wanting. But then they're his wrists, not mine.

I'll probably still load a few 230gr FMJs, but as "plinkers" and perhaps to around 900fps instead. How strange it will be to have a lion of a cartridge that has the bark of a pussycat. Or "meow" of a pussycat... whatever.

Thanks for the info!