Raging Bull vs Smith 460

[osteodoc08]

I never really placed the 454 in the CCW category anyhow.

Crestoncowboy- why prefer the smith as far as mechanicals to? Looks and feel are subjective. Accuracy can be load developed unless its just aweful.

 

[crestoncowboy]

Mostly subjective. The heft makes it feel sturdier, and the recoil management is superb, the muzzle brake does a great job with the recoil. The xvr has less recoil with max load 460 than the bull with 454. It does of course make it unbelievably loud. The raging bull is a well built Taurus and I own a few trackers as well as a 1911 that I have been impressed with, but I just don't care for Taurus. Or the newer Smiths for that matter, I would rather have a big super redhawk but they don't make a 460. Like I said both are great guns but to me the 460 is more great. You have the option of more power, less recoil, same price for ammo, and its made in the USA. Swap out the gawdy fiber optic front sight and its a great range toy and hunting piece. Find someone who will let you shoot both, they are popular guns, Pick one and go with it, let us know which way you go. I'm interested to see which you choose

 

[osteodoc08]

If I can get done with end of fiscal year paperwork, I'm gonna run down to the LGS and have another look.

I've gone back and forth. As of right now I've been leaning towards the Taurus. I know, I surprised myself. Mostly due to slightly smaller size and weight, 454 is plenty for me, cheaper initial purchase, I've shot a friends and liked it and it passes the initial overall revolver check. I am slightly hesitant due to it being a Taurus and long term down the road longevity, no doubt with the Smith. Plus is warranty is ever needed, it's on my dime to Taurus. When I sent something to smith a whole back, I had my 586 back in 2 weeks free of charge. Decisions, decisions.

 

[crestoncowboy]

at least in my experience warranties are rarely needed in the firearms world. and while it sucks, this isn't your primary defense gun either, so taking a little while longer may not be a deal breaker, neither of those guns tend to break ime. my only question is this, you wanted a super magnum, will you wind up wishing you had bought the bigger x frame. I bought the bull before the x frame came out. You said you hunt with a 41, so you have that covered. I have taken whitetail with the 500, 460, and 454 just to say I did it, but now carry a Glock 20, or delta elite, and rarely a 44. As a matter of fact i'm sitting at 4000 feet in the shade on my phone typing this, and on my hip is a 44 redhawk. But when someone comes over wanting to shoot they want to shoot the x frames (just not too much)

 

[JohnM]

Anymore you can't count that just because such and such made it you don't need to worry about a warranty.
I bought a new S&W XVR 460, took it home and fired 1 round and the hand broke off!
Talk about severely PO'd

 

[osteodoc08]

Thanks guys. Y'all make good points. I may hunt with it, hence the preference for the Taurus. As far as, is it enough? It leaves an excuse to buy the 460-500 if wanted in the future.

 

[osteodoc08]

I went and looked at them. For me, the Raging Bull felt more balanced and had the shorter barrel. It was at the upper limit for me to belt carry. The Smith was nice, however way too muzzle heavy and since it has the longer barrel, I would not be able to carry on a hip holster. Chest cross draw perhaps, but not on my side. The Taurus has been there so long that the oil had dried up on the finish. I know it has been there for at least 2 years. They had it marked $759. The owner wasn't there for me to haggle with, so I left a message for him to call me. My only concern was that the cylinder seemed a bit short. With the 454 ammo they had in stock. There wasn't a lot of cylinder length left, I worry about hand loading up cast bullets. Not an issue with the 460.

When I had walked in there, my usual guy motioned me over to look at a used 500. He knows I like my revolvers. Anyhow, they had sold it a few hours before.

Should I proceed with the Taurus? What should be a reasonable offer. Also, any issues hand loading for it?

 

[Plastikosmd]

I had no issues loading it. I can't imagine the cylinder is that much shorter 454 in Taurus and 460's loaded in 460. (454 in the 460 would clearly appear short). Those 454 and 460's get crimped pretty good. My rb was as accurate as any custom that I have owned. It did quite well at 100 yrd(scoped). If u are getting the matte one I may have the factory scope rail around that u could have

 

[osteodoc08]

Plastikosmd- what is the heaviest you loaded? If lead, any issues with the compensator and "resonance chamber" in the end filling up with stuff?

How does someone get that clean?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Smith hands down.

I don't trust Taurus guns due to personal experience.

The 460V is a really well balanced gun. I can shoot it one handed well, but I'm a bigger guy. I doubt I could do it with the longer bbl. 325 gr hard cast loads are manageable out of it, and you can empty a cylinder on a target pretty quickly with practice.

200 gr Hornadys send a basket ball sized fireball out the pipe, and is hilarious to me, but that loading hits spot on out of the shorter bbl at 25 yards. My eyes suck, so I don't shoot it much past that. This is the second hadgun I ever bought.

I carry it in bear country in a Desantes hip holster. I've hand polished it with Mother's Mag polish.

I think you'd really like it. The 5" bbl balances great for me, but it is still a heavy gun.

 

[dickydalton]

My XVR has the 8 3/8" barrel. I put a 2-6 power scope on it and reload 200 Hornady, 265 & 360 WFNGC LBTs, and 300 Hornady XTP Mag hollow points.
I don't shoot it enough but I love every time I do.

 

[osteodoc08]

460Kodiak- that's exactly what I was looking for. Can't find it locally and my LGS can't find one available through their suppliers. The 8-5/8 barrel is just too long

Which is why I was favoring the Raging Bull. Of course it does give me a reason later to buy a Smith if I feel I'm ready to move up from the 454

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Gunbroker.com man.

My original plan was to get a Ruger Super Redhawk in .454. Then I found this model, and saw the versatility of it and the 460 chambering. JMO, if you can find one, go straight to the endpoint, since you know you will be thinking about it after you get the Taurus.

 

[osteodoc08]

At $1200+, I think ill hold off on GB right now until something more reasonable shows up. They had the 460 "survival kit" for an outrageous sum. At $1200 + fees, That's a $500+ premium over the Taurus. But I have to admit, the 5" barrel is the ticket for me.

$500 buys a lot of reloading components.

 

[22-rimfire]

...if you can find one, go straight to the endpoint, since you know you will be thinking about it after you get the Taurus.

Pretty much the way I feel. Nothing wrong with owning both however. I have read good things about the Taurus RB. It is one of the few Taurus revolvers I would be comfortable buying.

The big ones are fun, but they are expensive to shoot much. Hence I am never as good a shot as I think I can be with these big bores. Of course, I know the solution... reload or make more money.

 

[JohnM]

If you're gonna shoot the bigguns you gotta reload!
Around here Buffalo Bore 460 Mag runs about $3.50 a pop, I can reload them for 25-30 cents using my own cast gas checked bullets.
Far as Taurus vs S&W, well, I dunno.
I've looked at some Taurus guns, wasn't impressed, they're an unknown quantity.
I had a quirky failure with my new XVR, but S&W had it repaired and back to me in short order, would have had it back sooner but for a goof up by the dealer I let handle the shipping.
I'd just go S&W, I've had them for years and know what to expect.

 

[osteodoc08]

Well, y'all have convinced me to at least wait until I can lay hands on a 5" model. It's all about balance and how it feels in the hand. As far as Taurus, it's not a CCW piece or nightstand gun, I've got my Sig P226 and M&Ps for those roles. So if it goes down, a minor inconvenience. I've had a Taurus M66 which was serviceable. Not as pretty as my Smiths, not as much soul, but serviceable nonetheless.

 

[osteodoc08]

*Update*

Went with my soon to be FIL to a gun shop over an hour away. Adventure Outdoors in Smyrna Ga. I called before leaving and asked if they had anything in 454. No was my response from the clerk. I went anyhow for moral support and to get out of the house. Way to busy for my tastes. Could barely make it to the counter, of course it was close to noon after the 4th. I looked around. Reloading section abysmal. Lots of new and used guns but few lever actions and wheel guns I actually cared to look at. Got to the last counter by the AR's and it was pretty busy. I looked over the wheel in section and saw a used SBH. Meh, likely a 44mag. I looked closer and there she was a pristine used 45/454. Price tag $700. Sold. Couldn't snatch it up fast enough. Overall buying experience was positive. Even if big box store like with their policies and quadruple check system. I hated the fact that "they" required me to initial next to the check box asking if I was the buyer. I told them I checked yes, that the govt was satisfied, they checked my ID and carry permit to verify myself. Geez. Oh well. Hoping to load some up today and blast away if they rain ever decides to quit!

 

[crestoncowboy]

Nice. I would choose that anyday over the raging bull.
Let us know how it shoots

 

[S.B.]

Quality wise, S&W all the way also, the RB makers service reputation is badly lacking. You sound like an American citizen, why would you even consider a off shore manufacturer?
I know and read all the RBs owners rants on the net but, ask them how much service thay've had from Taurus? Investigate them on serval sites? By the way, while on the net look into the civil rights of the people from the country these are made in. Born here, lived here, buy here, my $.02
Steve