Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 460 vs 500?

I am looking at purchasing a 460 but wanted to get opinions

Had a 500. Recoil was brutal from wrist to elbow. If I was going to do it again, I'd go 460. More options to practice with.

As above, my wrist did not care for the recoil of either round. That said, I would go with the 460 for the same reason. When had the chance to shoot the X-frames, even the 454 Casull became too much at the top end but mid level loads were not unpleasant and any 45 Colt round was like shooting a 22 up to a 38 Spl.

I ended up with a Ruger Super Redhawk due to not needing a wagon and team of oxen to haul it around. It was still a big and awkward gun to carry but at least I could shoot it.

I debated for several years…..went with the 460, as I thought that it was far more versatile!

As I hand load and cast bullets…..I’ve got a nice light load using a 300 grain cast @ approximately 1100 fps, a 400 grain @ near 1600 fps, and a shot shell load duplicating a 2 1/2” 410 using 444 Marlin Magnum brass. It just get much more versatile than that! memtb

I found the 460 to be far more comfortable to shoot than the 500.

Bunch of research (not hand-held experience, so Bullsh) had me on the 460 express.

I think a better hand-gunner hunter’s choice.

Perhaps.

Not knowing.

Not having shot a Cape Buffalo with a handgun at 100 yards.

I don’t think it would smome whitetail up to 150.

Guessing.

I think i will go with the 460

I have a X-Frame, 4" including compensator, 500 S&W.
I more or less decided, for a revolver of this bulk the 500 was a match.

The 454 Casull satisfies my 45 caliber speed need.
I would assume the 460 would give somewhat flatter trajectory over the 500. And the 460 has the 454 & 45 Colt options. The 500 flings the 440 & 500 grainers pretty decently. Plus if you want the thrill/novelty of the 700 grain option.

You know something is off when a SRH is chosen to be lighter and more portable!😁😁😁

JMHO but unless you are exclusively handgun hunting, you quickly get into a gun that's
more burden than benefit.


Figured that out quick with a scope on a 10 1/2" Super Blackhawk.

Moscow:

I think it mainly depends upon your desired usage. For me, my intended use was hunting whitetails with a revolver from a tree stand at longer ranges than I felt comfortable doing so with a .44 magnum. After a bit of research, I went with the .460 and a leupold 2.5x8 scope to take advantage of the range / trajectory the .460 offers. I think a whitetail at 200 yards is within the round's capability if it is within the shooter's.

If my planned usage was Cape Buffalo at bad breath distances, the 500 might have prevailed.

Use hearing protection...

Owned many of both. 460 has more cartridge options, but there is a negative that everyones leaving out. If youre hunting with actual 460 loads and forget to use hearing protection, you will most likely damage your ears with just one shot. The 500 is more efficient if that matters to you. I always enjoyed the 500 more due to being able to throw the heavies at any kind of velocity you wanted. In the end the x frame revolvers end up being a pain in the butt to haul around. They are HUGE! I have settled in an a 500 jrh some years ago and it will do anything ones needs a handgun to do. To each their own though

another vote for the 460..

My buddy bought a 4” X-Frame 500 S&W. He let me shoot a cylinder full at the police range. Although I shot a nice group at 50’, the gun recoiled so hard that the rubber grips rubbed my palm like sandpaper. The older I get, the less I enjoy really hard recoiling handguns. A .45 Colt Bisley Blackhawk with 285 grain SWC at 1100 is plenty for me these days.

Ron

I’m a 500 vote. Sure the .460 is more versatile. Sure it recoils less. I can’t dispute either point. The .460 is a hammer. The .500 is a bigger hammer. I like the .500 better. I bought mine new in 2004 and have sent north of 2500 rounds out the barrel since. Not a plinker by any means, but very accurate, and more recoil manageable than most would think in the 8 3/8” barrel. Carries decently in a Contender shoulder holster. It ain’t for everyone, but it lacks nothing in the big game revolver category. Shot 4 of my biggest bucks with it, with the longest kill at about 105 yards. Nothing wrong with either the .460 or the .500 if you’re into big hoglegs. Happy Blasting!😎

I've got both & prefer the 500 over the 460

Had a custom mold made & cast my own 550 gr WLN FP bullets loaded hot with LilGun in Starline Cases

Been packing is since 2003 just about everywhere in Alaska

left side, butt forward for quick draw & out of the way when rifle is slung over right shoulder or when fly fishing

the weight feels good and allows for calm & confidence for the month long solo hunts

....

Depends upon your purpose. Mine was long distance whitetails. I went .460.

Neither.

Housed in the BFR, the 45/70 can be loaded to be a 460 or leaned on just as hard, perhaps even harder in the same iron as a 500.

The 500 does win the frontal area arena, but the 45/70 has a plethora of brass and bullets to choose from and can be made to be as obnoxious as one can imagine; 500 grainers anyone?

The wrist to elbow phenomenon is just as easily enjoyed in a 45/70 case.