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.460 S&W Magnum

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.460 S&W Magnum
Left to right: .460 S&W Magnum, .454 Casull, .44 Magnum, .45 ACP, .22LR
TypeHandgun
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerHornady / Smith & Wesson
Designed2005
Produced2005-present
Specifications
Parent case.454 Casull
Case typeRimmed, straight
Bullet diameter.452 in (11.5 mm)
Neck diameter.478 in (12.1 mm)
Base diameter.478 in (12.1 mm)
Rim diameter.520 in (13.2 mm)
Rim thickness.059 in (1.5 mm)
Case length1.80 in (46 mm)
Overall length2.300 in (58.4 mm)
Primer typeLarge rifle
Maximum pressure65,000 psi (450 MPa)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
200 gr (13 g) DPX Cor-Bon 2,300 ft/s (700 m/s) 2,350 ft⋅lbf (3,190 J)
260 gr (17 g) PG Winchester 2,000 ft/s (610 m/s) 2,309 ft⋅lbf (3,131 J)
300 gr (19 g) JFN Buffalo Bore 2,060 ft/s (630 m/s) 2,826 ft⋅lbf (3,832 J)
360 gr (23 g) LLFN Buffalo Bore 1,900 ft/s (580 m/s) 2,860 ft⋅lbf (3,880 J)
395 gr (26 g) HC Cor-Bon 1,525 ft/s (465 m/s) 2,040 ft⋅lbf (2,770 J)
Test barrel length: 8.375 inches
Source(s): Corbon Ammo,[1] Cartridges of the World,[2] Buffalo Bore[3]

The .460 S&W Magnum round is a powerful revolver cartridge designed for long-range handgun hunting in the Smith & Wesson Model 460 revolver.[2]

Overview

The .460 S&W round is a lengthened, more powerful version of the popular .454 Casull, itself a longer and more powerful version of the .45 Colt. Consequently, firearms that fire .460 S&W are usually capable of firing the less powerful .454 Casull, .45 Colt and .45 Schofield rounds, but this must be verified with each firearm's manufacturer. For instance, some lever-action firearms are designed to handle cartridges within a certain length and bullet profile range. The reverse, however, does not apply: .45 Schofield, .45 Colt and .454 Casull handguns generally cannot safely fire .460 S&W rounds—nor can they even chamber the .460 S&W because of the longer case length.

The .460 cartridge achieves high velocities by operating at chamber pressures (65,000 psi max) normally reserved for magnum rifle cartridges.

Performance

Smith & Wesson says that the .460 S&W is the highest velocity revolver cartridge in the world, firing bullets at up to 2409 ft/s. The S&W .460V with 5" ported barrel seems to be the most widely sought on and used variation for dangerous game. The recoil when shooting 45 colt ammunition out of the S&W .460V is comparable to recoil from a weak 9mm or .380 load, due to the weight of the gun and ported barrel. On the contrary, when loaded with .460 S&W magnum cartridges utilizing 300 grain bullets, the recoil is more likely to feel like "three times" that of what a .44 magnum's recoil would be. Since firearms chambered in .460 S&W magnum can also fire cartridges of dissimilar trajectories, such as .45 Colt, S&W provides an extra additional rear sight with the gun to compensate for bullet drop down range, depending on your load and shooting applications. With Buffalo Bore's loadings, the .460 S&W can achieve 2,826 ft lbf of energy by driving a 300 grain .452 caliber bullet at 2,060 ft/s,[3] and 2,860 ft lbf of energy by driving a heavier 360 grain .452 caliber bullet at 1900 ft/s.[4] For comparison, Hornady's 9249 load for the .500 S&W Magnum cartridge offers a bit more energy at the muzzle, achieving 2,868 ft lbf (3,888 J) by driving a 300 grain (19 g) FTX bullet at 2,075 ft/s (632 m/s). Buffalo Bore's loading for the .500 S&W Magnum cartridge offers much less energy at the muzzle, achieving only 2,579 ft lbf by driving a 440 grain .500 caliber bullet at 1625 ft/s.[5][6]

See also

The 460 Smith and Wesson Magnum is built to handle both long-range hunting and Dangerous Game hunting and defensive performance. It is also the most versatile big bore revolver being able to fire 460 Smith and Wesson Magnum, 454 Casull, 45 Long Colt, as well as lesser known rimmed and straightwall cartridges of 45 caliber that predate the 45 Long Colt.

References

  1. ^ Corbon DPX - 460 S&W Magnum (unsecure webpage).
  2. ^ a b Barnes, Frank C. (2006) [1965]. Skinner, Stan (ed.). Cartridges of the World (11th ed.). Iola, WI, USA: Gun Digest Books. pp. 312, 338. ISBN 0-89689-297-2.
  3. ^ a b "Buffalo Bore - 460 S&W Magnum". Archived from the original on 2009-07-20. Retrieved 2009-07-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Buffalo Bore Ammo - .460 Smith & Wesson Ammo, 2016
  5. ^ Buffalo Bore Ammo - .500 Smith & Wesson Ammo
  6. ^ Double Tap Ammunition Co. - .500 S&W Magnum.
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