S&W460 or 44mag

[electric wombat]

I've finally saved up enough money & now I need some help deciding on which gun I should get. I'm having trouble deciding between a 44mag (super redhawk, colt anaconda, S&W model 29, one of those) or a S&W 460 XVR. The only reason for me getting a large calaber revolver is to have a big gun that makes a big boom. I'm not worried about too much recoil because I've shot both 44mag & 460 & neither is too much for me. If it were you faced with this decesion which calaber revolver would you go for?

 

[JCMAG]

If I could get one, I'd go with a model 29. The model 460 is all kinds of impressive and then some, but it's also right expensive both to own and to shoot. It's also a lot bigger and heavier than the old .44 magnum. Overall, I think the .44 magnum is the better cartridge -- .44 specials, .44 magnum plinkers, full-power magnum -- it's flexible, fun, and comparably cheap and accessible.

 

[Floppy_D]

The real test to big magnums is your resistance to flinch. Yes, you can pull the trigger all day long without your hands falling off... but can you hit anything?

I'm a recoil junkie, but I stopped at a Ruger Superblackhawk Bisley 7 1/2", because much more and my groups spread due to recoil anticipation. Most of my shooting is at a 25yd NRA Bullseye target, and I can keep 3 of 6 in the black (all inside the 7). With 44spls I do better with 4 or more in the black, but I wouldn't want to do worse with a hotter round.

I like boom too, but it makes it hard to hit anything with. If you genuinely don't care about accuracy, or are an elite form of human being who shrugs all noise and recoil in your repetitive crushing of the 10 ring, have at it. I stop when my groups stray, and 44 mag is enough for me.

 

[Jst1mr]

The model 460 is all kinds of impressive and then some, but it's also right expensive both to own and to shoot. It's also a lot bigger and heavier than the old .44 magnum

Agree/disagree - I have both and appreciate both for what they are. But, the .460XVR is just such a blast to shoot, AND so effectively stretches your range, that if I was limited to one, it would be the .460. Not necessarily more expensive to shoot, as the .460 will shoot .45 Long Colt all day, for roughly the same price as .44 Specials. Of course the big stuff DOES get more expensive. And, yes, my 8 3/8" XVR is more bulky than my 6" Model 29, but I have comfortable holsters for both. I shoot great groups at 100yds with the 460 (open sights), which some can do with lesser handguns, certainly...but with optics I would feel comfortable chasing deer at 200yds.

Both guns are great fun, but man I do enjoy the shockwave that comes off that 460!!!

 

[Floppy_D]

From a rest or offhand? I'd like to try mine offhand at 100yds to see how I'd do. From a rest at 25yds I can fit most of them on an egg.. I wanna try 50 and 100.

 

[Jst1mr]

From a rest or offhand? I'd like to try mine offhand at 100yds to see how I'd do. From a rest at 25yds I can fit most of them on an egg.. I wanna try 50 and 100

My 100yd groups are off a rest...and my somewhat aged eyes are losing the ability to focus where they need to! I enjoy the big bang, but would probably not spend the day plinking full house .460's at the range...not leastwise because folks in the adjacent rows might force me to leave!

Seriously, I think S&W did a fantastic job with the X frame - the size and weight, along with the factory grips and the compensator, do a tremendous job of taming the recoil...but you do have to burn some powder to get 360grns of bullet headed downrange at nearly 2000fps!

 

[Redhawk1]

Without a doubt the S&W 460 Mag.

I own a 460 Mag, and it is hands down better for my wants and needs.

 

[Springfield_1911SS]

a 460 XVR will also fire 454 casull and 45 colt

 

[Jst1mr]

Redhawk1...

While I've got you here... you talked about an end cap for the 460 to replace the compensator...seems S&W no longer deals in this...any other sources to your knowledge?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you are buying this revolver because you want a "big boom" handgun go with the .460 Magnum. I like the fact you can not only fire the .460 Magnum round but the .454 Casull and .45 Colt too. (like said above) My only problem would be the price. At well over $1300 the price tag is a bit steep for me. Of course that can be solved by buying a BFR from Magnum Research in .460 Magnum. They list for $899 but can be found for under $800. This is just a though in case price is a factor in the decision.

 

[Bigger is Better]

My nickname is biggerisbetter, so my advice is: buy the .460 Mag, but look at Magnum Research BFR, not at S&W: I've tried the 12" PC Hunter model, and in my (and in the owner's) opinion S&W frame (both Performance Center and normal production models') is not as strong as to tolerate safely hottest loads.

 

[RX-178]

Another vote for the .460.


BFR or S&W...

One's single action, the other's double action. I recommend trying them first if you can before choosing.

 

[Bigger is Better]

...but you do have to burn some powder to get 360grns of bullet headed downrange at nearly 2000fps!

Damn! With .460 S&W it's really possible reach a velocity level like this? 360 grs bullet at 2000 fps means 3200 fpe!!!
Which load you can do that with?

 

[Blank Stare 73]

There's always the .480


*just sayin*

 

[Big Boomer]

460 All the way baby!

Mild to Wild is an understatement...

Stay away from the 200gr loads at insane velocities, minimum you should shoot is 240gr and you can still push them to almost 2300fps out of the 8" I get substantially more than that with my 12"

 

[Floppy_D]

Great, hand artillery. Just get a snubnose 500S&W and be done with it. My accuracy starts to dwindle with the heavier loads. With my SBHH, I can detonate soda cans at 25yds and 2 liter bottles at 75 all day. If you're just in it for the boom, go the biggest you can.

 

[Redhawk1]

Jst1mr, I do not know of any place to get one, but I am sure you can get a good machinist or gunsmith to make one.

 

[Redhawk1]

My nickname is biggerisbetter, so my advice is: buy the .460 Mag, but look at Magnum Research BFR, not at S&W: I've tried the 12" PC Hunter model, and in my (and in the owner's) opinion S&W frame (both Performance Center and normal production models') is not as strong as to tolerate safely hottest loads.

Bigger is Better ,
Where in the world did you come up with that?? The X-frame is designed for the powerful loads. I think you may want to do more research before posting such stuff.

 

[buck460XVR]

The only reason for me getting a large calaber revolver is to have a big gun that makes a big boom.

in that case, get the .460.....It makes a much bigger boom, and it's range and knockdown power make it a great choice for big game. If it's a case of what's more versatile and more practical, I'd go with the .44.

But then I don't have to choose cause I have both.

 

[Redhawk1]

Big Boomer, the 460 Mag was actually designed with the 200 gr. bullet in mind. That is the reason for the gain twist. The S&W 460 Mag was intended to be a long range handgun.

But I don't use the 200 gr. bullets in mine, I am using 300 gr. hard cast bullets in mine. Out to 150 yards, I can hold dead on with the load I developed.

 

[Schofield3]

There's always the .480

+1

 

[Big Boomer]

Big Boomer, the 460 Mag was actually designed with the 200 gr. bullet in mind. That is the reason for the gain twist. The S&W 460 Mag was intended to be a long range handgun.

It actually has the same problems that the 357 Maximum had, that would be flame cutting of the topstrap. I had my frame replaced by S&W because of it. I also use the 12" bbl that does not have the gain twist barrel but in fact a rifle barrel on it, albeit shortened.

It's not about the gain twist its about chamber pressures and too much damn flame! Look at my pictures and you will see, the amount of gas blowing out the cylinder gap looks like a drag car. You will also notice that the newest edition of Lyman's number 39 (I think) 2008 does not even show 200gr loads anymore for the 460. And the fact is that you can get the 240gr XTP Mags out the end of an 8" bbl at 2250 anyhow without the flame cutting.

These are just my observations as an owner AND reloader for this caliber.

 

[Redhawk1]

Big Boomer, personally I don't like them 200 gr. bullets. I prefer the 300 and 370 gr. loads for my S&W 460 Mag.

I have never shot the 200 gr. loads in my S&W 7.5 inch PC model. One I think the bullets suck and there is way to much flash with them.

I have shot them in some of my other S&W 460 Mag that I sold.

For me a good hard cast bullet at 300 gr. works great.

 

[cottonmouth]

I'll stay in the middle and say go with a .454. It'll make a pretty good boom if loaded properly. I have a SRH and enjoy shooting it with a max load of 2400 and a 300 grain JSP. A milk jug is no problem at 100 yards, off the bench that is.

J.B.

 

[Redhawk1]

I have to agree with some others here also. The 480 Ruger is a great round.