Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only 460 S&W

Anyone have any information that they care to share? Looking at one in rifle configuration. It piqued my interest and always wanted a big bore cartridge. Definitely no need for it where I hunt, but I would use it.

Easy to reload for? Brass accessible and affordable?

45-70 ? Same difference in a rifle.

I have one in a revolver. Reloading is pretty straightforward, same as 454 & 45 Colt but more powder and you want to use rifle primers to handle the pressure. Powder charges are in the same range as 308, but with H110 etc instead of rifle powders. It is an impressive round, no question about it. It's only a little shorter than the 45/70, but much higher pressure so it does need to be used in a strong action.

For more info on rifle performance of this cartridge, also research the 45 Raptor, which is a rimless version of the same round, using the same load data and straight wall 308 brass.

Check out Bighorn Armory

http://www.bighornarmory.com/catalo...model-90a-454-casull-model-90b45-colt-6/

I bought Starline brass (nickel plated), to add to the Hornady brass I had. As stated, loading is pretty straightforward.....pretty much like any other revolver cartridge. A lever gun should make a great partner to an X Frame.....say in a 5” barrel! memtb

I have been loading for the 45 Raptor rifle (rimless 460 S&W) since it became legal in S Michigan. My best accuracy has been achieved with the 250 gr Hornady. However, this bullet's performance has been inconsistent on game.

I have settled on Ramshot Enforcer as my hunting powder of choice. With a max charge behind the Hornady I am hitting 2396 on the chrono at 40* temp. I use CCI200 primers as I found WLR primers showed pressure signs before matching the velocity of the CCI200. This is a consistently accurate load that I regularly shoot to 300 yards.

I know Lil'gun has a reputation for much higher velocity but there are documented cases of this powder rapidly burning out throats at high pressure. I am not willing to experiment with my Krieger. I have tried H-110 and IMR4227 with decent results but they are both have been reported to produce erratic results at low temps, so I did not pursue. AA#9 does not give me the accuracy of Enforcer.

AA5744 is interesting. It produces excellent accuracy and shows no loss of velocity when I chrorographed down to 14*. The problem for me is low velocity, topping out in the mid 2200 fps range.

Just some observations.

Good shooting
405wcf

Alright... purchased a 460 S&W barrel for my Encore frame. 20" w/ rear peep, but I'll replace that with a Leupold VX-I 3-9. Probably go with a 6 screw base and 3 rings. I'll eventually get a brake installed on it.

Just bought some dies and awaiting those.




what bullet have you settled on for hunting? I won't be shooting 300 yards with it, maybe 100 max hunting.