.454, .460 for personal protection?

[boom boom]

For bear country maybe. For home defense, using it in a lever action rifle would be the least problematic if available. Expensive ammo though might limit your practice. I suspect that the blast, muzzle flash, and noise would be pretty traumatic indoors as well.

If you want big and slow lead and good stopping power--12 gage slugs in an 18.5 inch shotgun works pretty well and are much cheaper. Even a 20 gage shotgun slug puts out about the same energy as firing two .44 mag shells simultaneously. Then there are sabots etc. They work okay on most bears as well.

 

[RPZ]

Given the fact that there is no such thing as "stopping power" in a service category sidearm, I do not find the notion of using a .454 or .460 for self defense absurd at all.

I would pick a load that works on deer and hogs. If it works on them, it will work on a similar weight two legged predator.

 

[RETG]

Ok, I know it's practically absurd, but suppose a person wanted to consider one of these big revolver loads for home defense or a similar application in lieu of a shotgun or carbine, or maybe they even decided to use a lever-action carbine chambered in one of these. How would you load it for maximum energy-transfer in a shallow target? I imagine a lot of such loads are intended for deep penetration in bear, moose, elk, etc. What are the options for transfering more energy earlier? Traditional frangible? Lehigh Controlled Fracturing? Jacketed SP or HP? Is there a .45 that will tumble consistently?

Have you ever shot a .454? I suggest you find someone who has one and take them to the range. Then shoot a few rounds with NO earplugs or ear protection. Then after you regain your hearing, just imagine what it would be like inside a house with no ear protection.

I shot a few .454 rounds before deciding to go with a .44 mag for carrying in bear country and I did it with ear protection. I would much rather shoot my .44 without ear protection than the .454.

 

[JR24]

Have you ever shot a .454? I suggest you find someone who has one and take them to the range. Then shoot a few rounds with NO earplugs or ear protection. Then after you regain your hearing, just imagine what it would be like inside a house with no ear protection.

I shot a few .454 rounds before deciding to go with a .44 mag for carrying in bear country and I did it with ear protection. I would much rather shoot my .44 without ear protection than the .454.

IF your hearing returns.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

This is beyond absurd. Think twice, post once.