ferggie
Member
I am interested in hearing from other reloaders of S&W 460XVR what they feel is the best bullet and load for deer and what they feel is the best Elk load.
S&W 460 XVR, Best Load for Elk
- Thread starter ferggie
- Start date
- Status
ferggie
Member
No info
What a shame. I thought maybee there would be some knowledge about this load on this forum.
What a shame. I thought maybee there would be some knowledge about this load on this forum.
codefour
Member
I purchased my 460 XVR this year and only used for one deer season and got whole lotta nothing this year.
My deer load was a 300 grain XTP mag bullet over 40.0 grains of H110. A bit of over kill for California deer. I have never elk hunted but some day I will. The general consensus is a large hard cast bullet. A good gas checked 300+ grain flat point with a stout load of H110, 2400, etc.
U have to experiment and see what works for you and your XVR.
My deer load was a 300 grain XTP mag bullet over 40.0 grains of H110. A bit of over kill for California deer. I have never elk hunted but some day I will. The general consensus is a large hard cast bullet. A good gas checked 300+ grain flat point with a stout load of H110, 2400, etc.
U have to experiment and see what works for you and your XVR.
ferggie
Member
Thanks
Codefour
Thanks for the feedback. I have some Barnes Buster 325gr. (454) but can't find any info or anyone with experience with them in 460 brass. I can't believe nobody has tested them in the 460 brass.
Codefour
Thanks for the feedback. I have some Barnes Buster 325gr. (454) but can't find any info or anyone with experience with them in 460 brass. I can't believe nobody has tested them in the 460 brass.
Grumulkin
Member
You asked for loads specifically for the S&W 460 XVR AND wanted to know the "best bullet and load" for Deer and Elk. When you ask such specific questions you aren't going to get that many answers.
I have used Barnes Buster bullets over A 1680 in my S&W 460 though I've never shot an animal with them. Their construction is very heavy with only a tiny hole in the nose thereof. As you may know, armor piercing bullets are illegal to use in handguns so a heavily constructed bullet with a small hole in the nose was as close as Barnes could come to making a solid suitable for things like Cape Buffalo without breaking the law. While I have little doubt they'll kill a Deer or Elk that's not really what they're made for.
I've killed quite a few animals including Zebra and Red Hartebeest on the large end with an Encore 460 S&W Magnum loaded with 250 gr. Hornady SST/ML bullets over 2400. I also shot a deer with them; a European Fallow Deer and they worked very well. I have little doubt they would work well on Whitetail Deer and Elk.
I've used a Hornady bullet similar to the Hornady SST/ML bullet; the 44 caliber 265 gr. FTX bullet in a 444 Marlin Encore handgun to take things like Kudu and Blue Wildebeest and they worked well in that application. I used Hornady 300 gr. XTP Mag bullets in my 460 S&W revolver on a Grizzly with good results as well.
So, there are a variety of bullets you can use in your 460. The one I would go with for a revolver would be the Hornady 300 gr. XTP Mag.
By the way, I've tried H110/Win. 296 powder with a number of bullets in my 460 and never got the best results with it.
I have used Barnes Buster bullets over A 1680 in my S&W 460 though I've never shot an animal with them. Their construction is very heavy with only a tiny hole in the nose thereof. As you may know, armor piercing bullets are illegal to use in handguns so a heavily constructed bullet with a small hole in the nose was as close as Barnes could come to making a solid suitable for things like Cape Buffalo without breaking the law. While I have little doubt they'll kill a Deer or Elk that's not really what they're made for.
I've killed quite a few animals including Zebra and Red Hartebeest on the large end with an Encore 460 S&W Magnum loaded with 250 gr. Hornady SST/ML bullets over 2400. I also shot a deer with them; a European Fallow Deer and they worked very well. I have little doubt they would work well on Whitetail Deer and Elk.
I've used a Hornady bullet similar to the Hornady SST/ML bullet; the 44 caliber 265 gr. FTX bullet in a 444 Marlin Encore handgun to take things like Kudu and Blue Wildebeest and they worked well in that application. I used Hornady 300 gr. XTP Mag bullets in my 460 S&W revolver on a Grizzly with good results as well.
So, there are a variety of bullets you can use in your 460. The one I would go with for a revolver would be the Hornady 300 gr. XTP Mag.
By the way, I've tried H110/Win. 296 powder with a number of bullets in my 460 and never got the best results with it.
Last edited:
Jaxondog
Member
I would think anything that come's out of a 460 from a 200 gr SST on up would be sufficient to kill a deer. For elk I might would load some 335 grain stuff with 41gr H4227 or 41gr of H110 and that would be around 2000fps. I have not shot deer or elk with mine, but that is what I would use. It should do the trick on elk at close to moderate range. 
ferggie
Member
Thanks for the feedback
I want to thank you guys for the feedback. I was just surprised to find not published load data even from Barnes site for the Buster 325. You would at least think the mfg would publish some loading data when they intend on manufacturing and selling a specific bullet.
Thanks again for your help it is greatly appreciated.
I want to thank you guys for the feedback. I was just surprised to find not published load data even from Barnes site for the Buster 325. You would at least think the mfg would publish some loading data when they intend on manufacturing and selling a specific bullet.
Thanks again for your help it is greatly appreciated.
- Status
