.460 S&W loads

[44fred]

After much research on loads and putting together supplies, I finally got to go out and begin to test my loads.

Bullets used
#1) WLFNGC 345gr cast from Bear Tooth Bullets sized to .452"
#2) Barnes XPB 275gr lead free sized at .451" from Midway
#3) Gummy tipped 200gr Hornady "Blems" at .451" from Midway at a great price.

Powder
H110, Trail Boss as well as Reloader #9.

Started looking for the most accurate for critter protection and Condor range hunting rounds along with some plinkin' just for fun.

Gun is S&W 460V

Range results:
345gr cast--Starline brass, Win. lg rifle primers, 38.0gr H110 powder.
This was my starting load and went up 1.0gr for two more loads.
Discovered that 38.0gr was at the upper limits w/o any excessive pressure signs. 39.0 and 40.0gr started getting impossible eject in the field and a couple primers backed out with 40.0gr of H110.
38.0gr is my critter protection load! Not even close to the brutal recoil I kept reading about. Accuracy is amazing at 35 yards (1 1/2" from a solid rest).
This load should be around 1600fps from my 5" barrel. I will chronograph at another time.

275gr XPB--Starline brass, Win. lg rifle primers, 38.0gr H110 powder.
This was my hottest load. I started with 36.0gr then 37.0gr of which none had excessive pressure signs. I could probably go a little hotter but will use Reloader #9 (Barnes website shows 34.2 to 38.0gr #9 produces 1800-2000fps in a 10" barrel. I'm not done with this load for hunting but am very happy with the results so far (1 1/2-2" groups at 35 yards). Should be around 1600fps from my 5" barrel. Plenty for any pig or deer in this state. These bullets are around $1.30 each.

200gr FTX blems--Hornady brass, Win. lg rifle primers, 45gr H110 powder.
No signs of excessive pressure. Should produce around 2100fps from my 5" barrel. This is a fun load and I didn't shoot for group size-I just had fun.

200gr FTX blems--Hornady brass, Win. lg rifle primers, around 14gr Trail Boss powder. I just filled the brass so I wouldn't have a compressed load of powder. This is a very fun plinkin', shoot all day load. I did not check for accuracy but could hit a 12" gong every time at 70 yards off hand. This load should be around 1000fps in my 5" barrel.

This is the beginning of a good relationship with this almost do everything revolver. The weight is a pain until you shoot it, this is where it really shines.
I've read not to expect very much from heavier bullets in the accuracy department but have not found that to be the case so far. I didn't buy this gun to make 200 yard kills, but want to take my prey within 50. I'll follow up on this thread when more first hand information comes about.
God bless and good shootin', Fred

[Whiterabbit]

you'll be easily able to stretch that out to 100 yards. Try the barnes 290 grain muzzleloading bullets too. Awesome, and you dont have to max them out to get them to expand like you do the XPB's. I'll have to take a pic of the piece of aluminum I killed the other week with the TMZ. Only copper bullet I've ever recovered from the 460, and it's a perfect mushroom. Looks devastating.

[tackdriver]

You didn't use Large Rifle Magnum primers for any of your loads?

[44fred]

No, not this time around. Most of the loads I've read about call for regular large rifle primers. If you have some experience with different loads, I'd love to here about 'em.

[Whiterabbit]

no squibbs, no problem. From my experience, you'll probably be fine. I use RCBS dies and they give me PLENTY of case tension. No issues getting high pressure with H110 assuming load density is OK.

If your cast bullet is 335 grains, I'll bet dollars to donuts you are loading cast performance bullets, meaning you have a gas check. also OK in my experience.

I'll also bet that the instant you run these loads in a cast bullet with no gas check you'll get squibbs and hangfires like crazy. But since it's all jacketed and gas checked, I bet you'll never have an issue. The day you do, I'll gamble again that you lost case tension.


(everything I write up there is only referencing 460 with std primers using ball powder, specifically H110 AND AA#9.)

[tackdriver]

Wow, all data I've read required large rifle mag primers. I couldnt find which type primer for use with trailboss. But I've been using the mags no problems so far. Makes you wonder if there is a difference, eh?

I have mistakenly shot cast lead (ungas checked) with H-110. No misfires or squib but with that velocity the bullets didnt go anywhere near where they were supposed to. LIve and learn

Best load for my 460 is 40g of H-110 when using 200-225 Hornady FTX.

[Whiterabbit]

no misfires or squibbs here either but you were using a mag primer on the PB bullets, yes?

accuracy with a PB bullet is absolutely possible (at shorter ranges, TBD at longer) in the 460, you just have to move to a slower powder and go to a REALLY heavy bullet. Honestly H110 may be slow enough, it's pretty darn slow. But the key is to reduce velocity to "cast bullet speeds". Kinda useless if you are loading 45 acp bullets in a 460 case with trail boss, but awesome if you are loading 460-only capable loads by using really really heavy bullets.

Anyways, works for me with 500+ grain plain base bullets (check out BPCR silhouette bullets for 45/70) when I was playing with those.

[tackdriver]

Lordy, let me know when you fire off that 500 grain. I'll stand behind you to catch your pistol! Recoil must be painful at best.
I am shocked something that weight and length doesnt exceed the OAL. How much H110 is pushing it out?
Yes, I've used the mag primers on all my 460 loads. Seems to work ok..
Have you ever used the pwad discs that you put inbetween the powder and cast bullet? THey are suppose to allow you to shoot cast bullets at high velocity. I tried to order some, but the shipping came to $12 for something that could easily fit into an envelope with an 80c stamp. http://www.neconos.com/category/Reloading-Aids-16

[Whiterabbit]

Most of what I shoot is 425-530 grains. I use IMR-4198 more than H110. Recoil is lower than the 200 grain bullets with over 50 grains of H110. Accuracy is better too. The problem with 460 is the same with 357 max. People tried those light bullets shot at warp ridiculous and got turned off. The 460 SHINES when treated like a 454 cassul magnum or a baby 45/70.

(I know it's not a fair comparison, that the 460 was designed around the 200 grain bullet, but the results are the same. 200 grains + 52 grains H110 = not fun. 500 grains + 25 grains of IMR4198 = VERY low recoil, tons of power on the receiving end, and not even CLOSE to a max load. Not. Even. Close.)

My cylinder is 3 inches long, I don't have issues with the 2.3" limitation. S&W would have been better served making the cylinder length 2.5-2.75" for sure.

Would you believe these recoil less than your favorite 45 acp?


To solve the cast bullet "issue" I just shoot really heavy cast bullets. I have a long term project of snapping gas checks onto standard 45 acp bullets, might try those one day though.

[Whiterabbit]

WOAH, those over powder wads are $7 per 100? that's $70 per 1000! Even gas checks are $40 per 1000! I'll stick to gas checks!

[sksman777]

I have been reloading for the 460 a little over a year now. I must say its one fun round to shoot. I have not gone over 400gr bullet. Just have not found a good selection. Where would I find those scary looking 500gr?? I load the 500s&w got some 700gr & 600gr. Kicks like a mule. So far my best cocktail for the 460 is 240gr XTP MAG 48gr H110. Also 200gr FTX 51gr H110. Below is a pic of my 460!

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/406/imag0146q.jpg/

[Na-vah-duh]

Whiterabbit : would love to know your source for heavier bullets. 300grainers just don't cut it anymore!!

[Whiterabbit]

Cast your own. Lee makes a 500 grain 458 mold with a gas check. I'm really curious about the spitzer. I bet we could get that thing to nose slump like crazy at ignition. talk about a soft point!

This was my first heavy bullet tester mold. It's the second best shooting bullet I've tried:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/489225/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-c457-500-f-45-70-government-457-diameter-500-grain-flat-nose-gas-check

My favorite bullet bar none right now is a 425 grain bullet from ranch dog. I have a 6 cavity mold. It's bar none the most accurate bullet I've ever shot in 460:



google image search "45/70 BPCR bullet" and you'll see all sorts of neat designs. I'm really curious about some 540+ grain nose first molds on midway. I bet they'll shoot awesome. cram as much H110 as you can get in the case for 2.3" oal and you'll probably be around 800-1000 fps. No recoil and I'd not want to be the animal at the receiving end of that small hunk of lead. If you have a BFR and can seat long you can drive it much harder. Don't confuse my assuptions for a 540 grain bullet for recommendations for a 425!

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To get them to .452, just run them through the LEE sizer die. I've never run lead harder than clip on wheel weights with some added tin and water dropped, but even those will size through. for THAT lead alloy I need a breaker bar on my press but it's a JR level RCBS press and can handle it. If you have something stronger like a rock chucker you will have NO problems sizing from 459 to 452 in one shebang. Just add breaker bar.

If you run your lead softer, like air cooled clip on wheel weights or stick ons with tin added or even just straight stick on wheel weights (still shoots great in heavies as long as you put that gas check on!) then it goes through the sizer like butter.

Check out your local gun show for lead cast 45/70 bullets. You can put them through your sizer, load them up and shoot. That was enough proof to me to demonstrate that investing in the molds was a good idea.

[Whiterabbit]

I asked another forum guy to design me a heavy .452 mold, and he delivered. 700 grain bullet, bore rider with a BC higher than what I shoot in 338 lapua! I can't share the design though cause it's not mine. If I can convince the guy to make me a mold I'll cast some up to show vs 500's vs 300's vs wimpy 200's .

They'll still recoil less than an FTX with 52 grains of H110, I am sure of that!

[Munk]

If you have something stronger like a rock chucker you will have NO problems sizing from 459 to 452 in one shebang. Just add breaker bar.

Would that work out if I wanted to resize something like a 500grain hornady DGX or Interbond or something down to .452? I've got the rockchucker to try it on...