Which is best? .454 Casull / .460S&W / .480RUG

Which big bore caliber is best?

  • .454 Casull

    Votes: 32 39.5%

  • .460S&W

    Votes: 33 40.7%

  • .480RUG

    Votes: 16 19.8%
  • Total voters
    81
  • Poll closed .
I've never seen a report where .45 Colt accuracy wasn't dismal out of the .460.
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When I post about the performance of a firearm here, it is almost always from first hand experience. If it is some internet search, I identify it as such. A 460 shoots 45 Colts very well, as in groups well under 2" @ 25 yards. This is my gun fired by me.

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You mean yours shoots well with them. Every other I've seen shoots very poorly with .45 Colt loads. Regardless, I don't consider a 5lb revolver more versatile because it shoots .45 Colt mousefart loads. A Colt SAA or replica will do a much better job of that without pulling your pants down. :rolleyes:
 
Don't carry it in a belt/hip holster... That's about as simple as I can put it.

IMHO, a chest rig is a much better means of carrying the X-Frame. I'm not saying they are an ideal concealed carry piece by any stretch of the imagination, nor am I advocating such a practice. Although it actually can be done with a jacket over it in a pinch. I am saying there are products out there that make carrying an X-Frame alot easier than those who have never carried one might think possible. I know because I own an X-Frame and a quality chest rig for carrying it. Honestly, my X-Frame carries better for me in it's Guide's Choice rig than my 629 Classic carries in a shoulder rig.

I'm not looking down on anyone here who doesn't have a desire to own one of these large revolvers, to each their own, and for their own reasons that are neither my business nor my concern. But please don't pass judgement based on simple perception with no first hand experience.

My 460V weights in at 60.9oz. My 629 Classic with 6.5" bbl weighs in at 48.3oz. That's a 12oz difference... That isn't a huge difference in my eyes. My hooded sweatshirt I wear under my field jacket when hunting in colder weather probably weighs more than that.

I am not sure what the typical weight of revolvers chambered in 480 Rug usually tip the scales at, but I would be curious to know how they compare.
 
You mean yours shoots well with them. Every other I've seen shoots very poorly with .45 Colt loads. Regardless, I don't consider a 5lb revolver more versatile because it shoots .45 Colt mousefart loads. A Colt SAA or replica will do a much better job of that without pulling your pants down.
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Well, who among reloaders would shoot cowboy 45 Colt from such a gun as the 460 S&W? I would be thinking Tier III 45 Colt loaded to its full potential (30k psi), and this being the only Smith & Wesson gun to allow doing that "Ruger only" thing.
 
You mean yours shoots well with them. Every other I've seen shoots very poorly with .45 Colt loads. Regardless, I don't consider a 5lb revolver more versatile because it shoots .45 Colt mousefart loads. A Colt SAA or replica will do a much better job of that without pulling your pants down.
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The .460 probably isn't for everyone but for those who aren't weight and recoil sensitive it is a versatile platform.

I have to say, I'm impressed that you think of .45LC as a mousefart load. How many rounds have you taken center mass?
 
The .460 probably isn't for everyone but for those who aren't weight and recoil sensitive it is a versatile platform.
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Chest thumping about your recoil handling prowess to guys that shoot 480 Ruger without recoil reducing comps. ROTFLMAO

I got to agree with other posters "WHO BUYS A 454/460/480 TO PLINK WITH LIGHT LOADS?"
 
I'd never consider an X-frame for anything except wasting money at the range or displaying prominently.

An Encore set-up is quite popular though. I'm selling mine, but only b/c carbines are now legal in Ohio. If I was stuck deer hunting with a "pistol" I would keep it.

I am acquainted with one shooter who owns a 460 SW revolver, 500 SW revolver, 480 Ruger revolver and an assortment of Encore barrels for them along with a few options for things like 357 Max and 445 magnum. He likes the 480. Says it is a softer shooter for the power compared to the others.

I've seen pretty big mice and they aren't too particular about what they eat. I wouldn't underestimate their flatulence.
 
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There are plenty of people out there who have no want or need of a 454, 460, 500, etc etc, and that's fine... But why must they ridicule, condescend, and belittle those of us who do..

Just because YOU don't like them doesn't make your OPINION of them and why people buy them FACT. It's fricken childish.


Next thing we will hear is "nobody needs 30rd CLIPS".....
 
I'd never consider an X-frame for anything except wasting money at the range or displaying prominently.

An Encore set-up is quite popular though. I'm selling mine, but only b/c carbines are now legal in Ohio. If I was stuck deer hunting with a "pistol" I would keep it.
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This is a fine example of ignorance of the platform. I have a P.C. .460 along with several carbines, both bolt action and lever in .44 mag and .357 mag. I've also had Encores. At one time they were the only way to get a really big boomer in a handgun platform. Now they are just another SS and are becoming less popular due to better options available now(.454, 460 and .480s). For deer hunting out past 100 yards, the .460 revolver is not only more accurate than any of my carbines, but it is also more effective with better terminal performance, especially with heavy bullets. I'm not restricted to using handgun calibers to hunt deer with, but I do. That is a testament to the accuracy and proficiency of the X-Frame. Handloading for it makes it no more expensive to shoot than .45Colt.
 
I got a Ruger Alaskan in .480 a couple years ago. I've enjoyed the revolver a lot, I find the cartridge easy to reload and it can be loaded to relatively mild levels and still be perfectly fine for most uses.

I liked my Alaskan so much that when Ruger recently announced a five shot Bisley Blackhawk in .480, had to have one. I've only had it a couple weeks but it is a nicely done gun. I might have to use this one in a deer stand.

In my opinion, the other cartridges mentioned "do their thing" by pushing the velocity higher and higher. Which can make them unpleasant to shoot. I enjoy shooting as recreation.. I can see their use in the hunting field but it's more than I need. The .480 lets me use big heavy bullets at 850-950 fps without all the drama. I've always loved the .44 Special for the same reasons... the .480 is the .44 Special idea scaled up.

Gregg
 
Personally I'd love to own a S&W X frame 460 or 500. I just don't have any need for them anymore and my 480 Ruger is all I need for what I might do. I would love to own a 480 Alaskan... why? Not sure other than I want one and it is a very low priority these days. The new Blackhawk in 480 is definitely on my radar. I want the revolver that many big bore fans have been asking Ruger for years.
 
As stated before, I usually limit my comments to what I have experience with. Shooting a 460 with 45 Colts and grouping at 1.5" @ 25 yards destroys the myth that they are inaccurate with 45 Colts. The fact that the 460 is accurate with loads from under 1000 FPS to velocities over 2200 FPS I consider a benefit, not a liability but that is just me. Most people who don't like the 460 don't own one and most likely never even shot one. The only reason I take the time to post facts is because there are folks out there seeking honest reviews of actual performance and not reading posts from those repeating something they read on Google somewhere. People are entitled to their own opinions and I have no intent to change someone's mind. I just am providing some actual testing results for those honestly looking for what performance they can reasonably expect. YMMV
 
It's not the chest thumping, it's your audience.
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Understood. I wish I hadn't said anything. I need to keep my big mouth shut and listen to people who know more than me and be happy that they are willing to share their knowledge.
 
Let me just say that as a young man I intend to shoot the hottest loads to satisfy my fever for gunsmoke and recoil. Shooting .44mag from Federal which isn't even a particularly hot loading but is pretty good for factory you can just smell the powder and feel the power. I was out with my friend recently and we both shared a box of 50 rounds of .44 magnum and it was as much fun as the 250 rounds of .357 I'd provided for us to split previously but in a mere 50 rounds. Cost isn't just a per round factor, it's a happiness factor, and bigger is better for me. I can get three hours of shooting out of 50 .460S&W shells it sounds like if I'm working loads, sighting it in, and just having fun in general.

I might just get a .480RUG as well just because I'm a Ruger man through and through and the sheer agony of buying a S&W with an internal lock will really eat at me ;) but I think I can make it through. I'm sure both will be fun to load for and between the two I can shoot every one of the calibers I wanted and then .45LC and .454 Casull as well which is just a bonus (if it's not accurate I'll just be back on the market for another hehe). I'm really thankful for all of everyone's postings because it has helped me figure out exactly what I'm going to get and the order I should acquire things in.

Also, for the record, if someone likes big powerful calibers I hope I do impress them at the range and they come take a look at my target, me, and my gun. I've been impressed by people at the range myself and it just got me deeper into the hobby. I saw a Coonan .357 at the range and it's why I bought revolvers in the first place; I decided .357 was a ton better out of a wheelgun and I loved the blast and noise he showed at the range enough to look into revolver calibers.
 
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RideRed350R, thanks for posting the pic of the 460V. I had not seen one before, and was only familiar with the larger SW platform. That porting must help significantly with recoil. It was an option called "magnaporting" when I got my Freedom Arms 454, but I was a much younger man back then, and replied "magnaporting is for sissies". :D Mine kicks like an angry horse with hutning loads in it, but it is SO much more effective than the 44 mag on deer. Maybe not any more dead, but a lot less effort in figuring out where they drop.

I also load 185gr swc made for 45acp in 45LC cases at -1000fps, and can't see any sacrifices in accuracy at indoor pistol ranges. They were the cheapest bullets I could find for light duty plinking. My 100 yard deer loads are Honady XTPs.

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That isn't a huge difference in my eyes.
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12oz is a HUGE difference in the hands or on your person, belt, shoulder or chest. Your full-lug 629 Classic is heavy for an N-frame. The standard barrel model is a few ounces lighter.


I am not sure what the typical weight of revolvers chambered in 480 Rug usually tip the scales at, but I would be curious to know how they compare.
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About the same as your 629, or a few ounces heavier (SBH vs SRH).


Well, who among reloaders would shoot cowboy 45 Colt from such a gun as the 460 S&W?
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I honestly don't think we're hearing this versatility rhetoric from handloaders. Handloaders can load .460 brass to whatever level they desire. Handloaders enjoy "versatility" in whatever they shoot. I guarantee 99% of those touting "versatility" are talking about shooting standard pressure .45 loads in these guns. To which I say, what's the point?


Shooting a 460 with 45 Colts and grouping at 1.5" @ 25 yards destroys the myth that they are inaccurate with 45 Colts.
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It's not a "myth" if there are lots of credible reports of poor accuracy using the .45 Colt loads out of .460's.
 
It's not a "myth" if there are lots of credible reports of poor accuracy using the .45 Colt loads out of .460's.
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From whom are these mystical credible reports coming from? More folks that have never shot a .460 X-Frame?:rolleyes:


I don't shoot .45 Colt, .454 or reduced loads from my X-Frame not because of inaccuracy, but because of the great difference of POI from POA. It's highly accurate with any of the three cartridges. Because my P.C. is comfortable and pleasant to shoot even with legitimate .460 loads, it's not worth the effort and time to readjust sights every time one switches from it and .45 Colt/.454/reduced load ammo. Being a reloader, there is virtually no savings reloading the lesser caliber anyway. The versatility of being able to shoot .45 Colt would be more so for folks buying factory ammo, those shooting the shorter barreled snubs or those sensitive to recoil. Again, they are generally a purpose specific firearm. They are not for everyone and they are a handful. Folks that want to pick 'em apart because of size and weight, haven't a clue as to those purposes.
 
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