460 S&W Magnum?

[Bongos]

OK, just went out and picked up a 460 S&W Magnum, I've always wanted a hand cannon and with the oddity of the 460 S&W, in the used market, their prices are comparable to the 44 mag. Since I reload, I have an avenue for ammo cost. The question now is: since this gun shoots 45LC, 454 Casull and 460 S&W Magnum, which caliber should I reload, it either going to be either the 454 Casull or 460 S&W... which is most economical and why. I see the Casull is slightly less expensive, but not much? Also, what is the brass life in these calibers. Plan on using jacketed bullets, I load mostly rifle rounds, so this is a first, any info is most appreciative.

[Kerplow]

wow, i didnt realize that gun would fire all those rounds. thats awesome!

I could be wrong, but i would venture to guess that 45 LC would be the most economical to shoot and reload. i would load probably load a bunch of 45 LC for practice and some 460 for when you need it!

Edit: just checked online ammo prices and 45LC is indeed the cheaper ammo, though none of those cartridges are "cheap." 45LC definitely has the cheapest brass, will hold less powder, and should shoot comparable projectiles, but probably lighter. that being said, i would definitely say 45LC is the most economical choice.

[kblack583]

454 would probably save pennies per round because of reduced powder but 460 brass was slightly cheaper last I looked. Good cases like Starline will last a while and even longer if you load on the mild side. I havent worn out a case yet and I think Im up to 3 reloads on my hot batches and 5 on my mild.

Go 460 and don't look back. Nothing quite like it.

[mattt]

I have the 460 snub nose 2.75 barrel. With the hornady factory 460 load it shoots a ball of flame you wouldnt believe. I load for all three 45, 454 ,460. The 454 feels like a 44 out of it . The 460 load gets your attention. Way more kick then my 10.5 performance center 500 mag.

[Bongos]

I am fresh is starting to reload the 460, anything special I need to know, do I have to crimp? I ordered some 250gr and 300gr Rainierre TCU Bullets. I was looking at the Redding Dies but if the Hornady or Lee is better, please advise, any particular preference in powder? True Blue? H110 was suggested for the nice Boom Effect but not violent eruption...again, any comments is appreciated.

Also any load info is apprecaited...

[Cowboy T]

I use Lee dies to reload both "mild" and "wild" .45 Colt (shot out of a .454 Casull firearm). They work just fine. Personally, I would go for Starline .45 Colt brass and just work up a good, stiff load using either 2400 or H110/W296 powder. That'll give you your "454" power at a more economical cost.

When you want to get really heavy, just go for some 460 S&W Mag brass and hang on tight.

In all cases with reloading straight-walled cartridges, there is a difference from bottlenecked rifle cartridges in that you resize the case and expand the case mouth in separate steps. That's why you need a minimum of 3 dies for typical handgun cartridge reloading.

[kblack583]

I am fresh is starting to reload the 460, anything special I need to know, do I have to crimp? I ordered some 250gr and 300gr Rainierre TCU Bullets. I was looking at the Redding Dies but if the Hornady or Lee is better, please advise, any particular preference in powder? True Blue? H110 was suggested for the nice Boom Effect but not violent eruption...again, any comments is appreciated.

Also any load info is apprecaited...

I'm not familiar with the Ranier TCU's but one thing you have to watch is some plated bullets and what their max velocities are. The jackets cant handle the higher velocities and lead to fragmenting and/or higher pressures. My goto right now are the Hornady XTP Mags.

Die wise I think any carbide set should do just fine. Powders, H110, LilGun,W296 are all in the sweet spot.

[Bongos]

Thanks guys, looking at the RCBS Carbide Dies... is it true, you do not use lube on carbide?

[Rotting]

You can forego lube if using carbide dies. I do with my 460 loads. Some people think shooting a few blasts of Hornady One-Shot (or any other spray lube) to a bag of brass makes the press run smoother. I've tried it and can't really tell a difference.

[Divernhunter]

If you need brass just get it from Starline. You could use 454 or 460 and just download it for lighter recoil. I have a 454 and that is what I do. You need to crimp. Do not try to download W-296 or H-110. Use something like unique/700X/800X or whatever.

[Bongos]

You need to crimp. Do not try to download W-296 or H-110. Use something like unique/700X/800X or whatever.

Download... do you mean compress load?

[savasyn]

Download... do you mean compress load?

They mean, do not load below the recommended minimum with those powders.
Against warnings, I foolishly did this with Win296 in .44Mag. I went down 2/3 of a grain from minimum and ended up with burst primers. Downloading these powders causes an overpressure spike. I'll not do that again.

[Rotting]

They mean, do not load below the recommended minimum with those powders.
Against warnings, I foolishly did this with Win296 in .44Mag. I went down 2/3 of a grain from minimum and ended up with burst primers. Downloading these powders causes an overpressure spike. I'll not do that again.

Another way of putting it--a "starting load" is just that--a place to start, at a minimum.

[Twinspool]

Carbide dies or not, I always use a little Imperial wax. Everything works better.

Playing with 45, 454 and 460 sounds like a great way to confuse the charge mass/volume. Sounds like a PITA for reloading, just get all 460 brass and don't look back. If you want a mouse-fart powder puff shooter, the X-frame is not the gun for you.

[f4tweet]

My friend has a 460. We tried 45 LC first. It felt like 38 spc loads. Booring. The 454 Casull is pretty potent. The 460 clears the room at an indoor range. Due to health problems, we never got to try it outdoors.