Pros & Cons with the S&W 460XVR

[44goon]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking at a S&W 460XVR with an 8-3/8" barrel & need any advice you guys may be able to give me.

Here in Australia we are very limited to handguns that we can own & we are required to have special licences to own a handgun over 38 cal. The 460 is the largest revolver we can have here. Just looking at it because I can shoot 45LC, 454 casull & 460 through it. I load 45LC & the S&W I'm looking at comes with 454 & 460 cases & projectiles !!!!

Just looking for the pros & cons from you guys that have used them.

Thanks for your time & help.

All the best from Australia.

Jason.

 

[pageophile]

Haven't shot 45LC out of my 460V (5" barrel) but have fired off 454 Casull and the 460 S&W Magnum.

The 454 rounds were surprisingly civil, less recoil than hot loads in my 44MAG 5" barrel.

The 460 however is in a different league, it's loud and boomy and flashy! Loads of fun but you know you've fired off a deadly serious piece of hardware.

The X-Frames are very large guns though. If that's not you're cup of tea than another frame size would be recommended.

Hope that helps.

 

[BCRider]

I got to shoot a couple of .45LC cowboy loads from a 460. It felt much like shooting lightly loaded WC .38's from my model 19. Good for plinking though. But cowboy 45LC's are hardly representative of what the 45LC is supposed to be like. When loaded up I suspect the gun would kick more like what you'd have with a .357 from a 19. And then from there you move on the the massive BOOM! and fireball of a well loaded .460 round using a slow powder such as H110 or possibly 2400 if you can find a recipe for it with these.

 

[captain awesome]

Pro; 460 is awesome

con; I don't have one (yet)

pro; versatility, can shoot three different cartridges

Con; Has been speculated that due to the extreme pressures, they will wear out sooner than the average high quality revolver. I seem to recall reading an article(maybe it was a thread) a while back about a lot of flame cutting on the top strap. I would guess that's partially why they came up with the gain twist rifling, to alleviate some of the wear issue.

No, I have never fired one, but I do own an x frame in 500s&w. If the 460 is anything like that is, I highly recommend it.

I have a quick question back at you 44goon,
When you said you can have up to a 38cal without a permit, would that mean magnums included? I would think the 357 maximum or super mag would gain a lot of popularity over their, if they are allowed without the special permit.

 

[44goon]

38 cal handguns

Thanks to all that have replied to this question. Looks like you have helped me make up my mind, to get one

Captain,

Sorry I was not more clear on my explanation about the 38. The normal target pistol licence which is all we can have here covers you for any handgun up to & including 38 Cal (yes that covers 357 mag & the others) when they talk about 38cal it's the projectile size. Revolvers must have a minimum barrel length of 4" & auto a min of 4 1/2" :banghead:
If you want anything over 38 cal you must apply for a special "high Calibre Permit" & the only 2 reasons you can get a permit is you must shoot single action (western action ) or metal silhouette & that's it. Can be no greater than 45 (that's why I'm looking at the 460 because it's classified as a 45 Cal ) We can't own a S&W 500 or the 50 cal desert eagle due to the cal. I understand you can get it on a collectors permit but can't shoot it
That's the current law here & that's how our government keep us safe from gun crime

Hope that helps.

Thanks again for all your help guys, will keep you posted on how I go getting my new toy
Jason

 

[GRIZ22]

X frame Smiths are fine guns but do you have a use for the 460? If it's because you want one fine but cases, bullets, ammo, etc costs a lot more and are harder to find. If it's only for fun I'd look at a 357.

 

[DWFan]

I don't know if this is even possible "down under", (and it might not even interest you), but here goes. If I were restricted to a .38 caliber revolver and interested in long-range shooting and hunting, I would locate a Dan Wesson M40 .357 Maximum SuperMag and rechamber it for the .358 GNR. The parent .445 SuperMag case might be hard to find there, it is here even, but the cartridge can also be made from the .303 British. The cartridge is roughly equal to a .357 Herrett or .35 Remington and will have a flatter trajectory than a .45 caliber bullet.

 

[Fieldofview]

I have the 460XVR 8&3/8". love this revolver. Wanted to move to 454 Casull after enjoying 44 Magnum so much. The 460XVR is like a giant version of my S&W 629 6.5". What's great about it is that you have the great styling and trigger pull of a S&W and the versatility of the three Calibers. Honestly, 45 colt and even 454 feels tame in this revolver. Much lighter recoil than a 44 Magnum. If you stay under 1500 FPS you can use plated bullets with 454 and save a lot of money. I recommend the 255 gr. plated bullet with cantilure from West Coast Bullets on top of 21 gr. of Alliant 2400. Great for inexpensive plinking. For the 460 S&W round you have to use the more expensive jacketed bullet or a lead bullet with a gas check. Both are pricey. Shooting the 460 S&W Magnum round is very exhilarating. Still very smooth and manageable in this size of revolver. The 4.5 pounds makes the 460 round seem tame even when shooting with one hand.
If you are shooting silhouettes you will be thrilled with the enhanced range. Very accurate. When you hit the Ram it goes Whamm!
Can't say enough great things about this revolver. A real joy to shoot.
Have not experienced any fatigue from shooting 460 S&W Magnum. Have loaded with several different powders. H110 is great for the very stout loads. 2400 for the more tame loads. IMR4226 is great but was getting some unburned powder in the compressed recipes.

 

[340PD]

A friend at my range asked if I wanted to try his 460 out. First round was 45LC., next was a 454 Casul, last was the 460. I fired them all double action. The 460was obviously the most robust. The porting in the barrel made it very controlable. All three shots were in a 2' circle at 30 ft. I think a quick follow up shot from the 460 would have taken some recovery time. I am 66 years old and if I had not sold all my brass, bullets, and reloading dies from my Ruger, I would want to buy one of these. If I were ever to handgun hunt, or were out in the field in an area of dangerous game attacks, I would own one of these fine revolvers. The multi round options of this fireearm make it a clear winner for me. Ahh to be young again.