S&W .460 mag or S&W .500?

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xmanpike

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Ive decided I want a hand cannon and have looked at both of these and fiogured I would ask the advice of you fine folks.

I like the versatility of being able to shoot .45 colt, .454 Cassull and .460 mag out of the .460, but the .500 is also appealling.

Anyone have experiences? Would like to hear both positive and negative.

Thanks

MC
 
I'd be inclined to take the .460. I have no experience with either, save that I see plenty of hand cannons used to shoot one or two boxes of ammo at local shops after the owners realized the rounds were too expensive, the recoil and the noise too overpowering, and the size too great to make the weapon useful for anything. At least with the .460 you can practice with much less expensive, softer-shooting, and less deafening 45 colt rounds. Gives you more value than the peace of mind of the bear gun you'll likely never have occasion to need.
 
Dang it! I still haven't gotten to shoot a 500!

One of our customers bought one and promised we would run it through its paces one weekend, but noooooooo!

I too am in the 500 vs. 460 debate...leaning heavily towards the 500 though!

Something about that half inch junk o' lead it has for a bullwet!
 
I've got the 460 with a 8 3/8 barrel. Wear double ear protection when using, Plugs and muffs.

Kinda fun at the range shooting at the 200 yard mark.
 
I have three .500s: 4", 5" JRS and 6 1/2" PC Hunter. All are fun, but you really need to handload to have fun, otherwise it is way too expensive. Handloading really increases the versatility of the .500s.
 
I DO HAVE EXPERIENCE......

I used to own a long-barrel .454 Casull, when they first came out.
Now I own a 4" S&W 500 Magnum. I handloaded for the .454 and I do now for my 500.

If you want raw power, the 500 Magnum will give you anything you want, from wrist-breaking 700 grain loads, to calmer loads that I use around my parts for deer and black bear. I use a calmer, and bit more accurate handload of Barnes 275g XPB Solid Copper HP's over a CCI BR2 (BenchRest) primer and Longshot Powder.

The load I have listed above chronies on average at 1,455 FPS. For a calm and accurate load, that is not bad for a 4" barrel and a 275g bullet!
 
I got a .460 cause I was looking for a handgun for deer that would reach out to 150 yards and still use a legitimate handgun round. I also thought the idea of shooting .45 Colt and .454 Casull thru it would be easier on the hands and on the pocketbook.

I was correct about it being a true deer hunting handgun. It's accuracy still amazes me everytime I shoot it. It's also a blast to shoot at the range and many a time the guy shooting a rifle next to me was P.O.ed cause he was outshot @ 100 yards with a handgun. Is it loud? Sure the 'ell is, but so is my 629. Do I always use ear protection even when hunting with it? Have to, no question about it. Took a little gettin' used to, but now it's just second nature. Would I buy another .460 if this one was stole or lost.......you dam right.

As for the shooting of .45 Colt and .454 Casull. Once I started to reload for the .460 there was not much financial advantage of shooting these loads compared to regular .460s and because they would print so much differently, they weren't much fun to shoot unless I changed the sights for them, so I gave up on 'em. I have since tho, thru the process of trial and error, found some reduced power loads that are very pleasant to shoot and print close enough to my hunting loads that I can leave the sights alone.
 
rogertc1 said:
I got a 4" 500 because I wanted the biggest. So I did. I didn't ask anyone.
Click to expand...
I agree, I went in, saw the 4" 500 and I remember when I had the Casull, it had a long barrel and I had always wished I had the shorter-barreled version.

I don't have the Casull anymore, but I do have my 4" 500!
So, in the end, "all things work together for good....."
 
I'd split the difference and go with a .480 Ruger.
Click to expand...


I use a calmer, and bit more accurate handload of Barnes 275g XPB Solid Copper HP's over a CCI BR2 (BenchRest) primer and Longshot Powder.

The load I have listed above chronies on average at 1,455 FPS. For a calm and accurate load, that is not bad for a 4" barrel and a 275g bullet!
Click to expand...


did somebody say 480 ruger?


;)
 
500 is bigger and better
however you can get the cylinder cut for moon clips and run 45acp too on the 460
 
The .480 Ruger is a great load and gun, as long as you never want anything more. A 500 can be loaded down, but a .480 has a problem being loaded UP.
 
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I've had both. I've shot both into the same steel plate. The 500 hits a lot harder. For that and a few other reasons, I'd definitely go with the 500.
 
wow lots of good info. sounds like the .500 is winning the vote for now. anymore .460 mag owners want to put their piece in?
 
My $290 H&R Handi-Rifle scratched my 500 S&W itch.

I handload with lead gas check bullets. It's an awesome round coming out of a 22" barrel.
 
I have a 5" and a 8 3/8" 460 I am very pleased with both, they are fun to shoot and pack quite enough punch to take down anything in my part of the world. I am a very big 460 fan. I too agree if you relaod much more fun to shoot than that $3 factory ammo.
 
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I'll echo the others in that if you hand load the .500 is the way to go. You can make loads that have .357 power with .38 recoil all the way up to full bore loads that will exceed the power of many centerfire rifles. I bought one and it was so much fun to shoot, I ended up buying another...

CIMG0081.jpg
 
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