Which Smith X-Frame?
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Neither.
But if forced into it somehow?
I would buy the .500.
Bigger bullet is always better in a hunting handgun.
As opposed to higher velocity / flat shooting capability I couldn't possible shoot to it's full potential anyway.
On the other hand, you can shoot cheaper .45 Colt ammo in the .460.
Myself?
A handgun that big needs trail wheels and a trailer hitch to haul it around with.
It is too big & heavy for any logical handgun holster use I could put it too in Kansas.
Or anywhere else.
If I want or need a 4 1/2+ pound gun that busts my chops every shot?
It will be a high-power rifle or slug gun.
rc
But if forced into it somehow?
I would buy the .500.
Bigger bullet is always better in a hunting handgun.
As opposed to higher velocity / flat shooting capability I couldn't possible shoot to it's full potential anyway.
On the other hand, you can shoot cheaper .45 Colt ammo in the .460.
Myself?
A handgun that big needs trail wheels and a trailer hitch to haul it around with.
It is too big & heavy for any logical handgun holster use I could put it too in Kansas.
Or anywhere else.
If I want or need a 4 1/2+ pound gun that busts my chops every shot?
It will be a high-power rifle or slug gun.
rc
JohnM
Member
RC has spoken. 
I was actually wondering where the wheels attached on this thing.
I was actually wondering where the wheels attached on this thing.
22-rimfire
Member
I also would go 500 S&W. I prefer big and slow over smaller and faster in a handgun caliber. I am not much for shooting anything in a revolver other than the caliber it was designed to shoot.
I personally have kind of locked into the 480 Ruger as my "big" bore or 44+. That is where I am staying 480/475.
I personally have kind of locked into the 480 Ruger as my "big" bore or 44+. That is where I am staying 480/475.
Hit_Factor
Member
460 because it is perfect for deer in the southern half of the lower peninsula where rifles are prohibited for deer hunting.
Also shoots 45 Colt and 454 Casull.
Recoil is manageable compared to the 500. Ammo is cheaper as well.
If hunting bear the 500 might be a better choice. If you feel 2300 ft lbs at the muzzle isn't enough.
Also shoots 45 Colt and 454 Casull.
Recoil is manageable compared to the 500. Ammo is cheaper as well.
If hunting bear the 500 might be a better choice. If you feel 2300 ft lbs at the muzzle isn't enough.
This one:
460 8 3/8"
I already had 45lc components and dies that weren't being used. I shot my grandfathers 44 mag with full power loads and my own cast powder puff loads, and liked it. I already load for 45 acp, so I had some molds an bullets for 45. I searched for bullets and found many more available for the 460 than the 500. I wanted an impressive, obnoxious, manly, gun that could also easily be tamed.
I have hand loads from 560 fps to 1917 fps. Last weekend, I loaded up some 230 grain LRN 45 acp bullets that I had lying around. 6 grains of red dot, inside a 45lc case, gave me around 650 fps. I was shooting at a 3/8" mild steel target from 20 yards. There was no problem with beating up the target, the loads had very mild recoil, and they were dirt cheap to load. My 270 SAA HP's, in the photo above, hit that steel pretty hard though. For light 460 loads, I use trail boss powder-cheap, fast pistol powders are not bulky enough. Trail boss would also be used in the 500 for light loads, but trail boss isn't cheap. 45 lc works great with the cheap powders. If you only shoot full power loads, then it doesn't much matter.
I shoot some medium and full power loads as well. I wanted a double action revolver of my own. I like high end products and the X Frame has an exceptional trigger and finish. My dad's 38 spl Smith is just kind of blah. The 45 colt loads are much more fun than 38 spl. I guess I am like the old guys that drive their fancy Corvettes down the freeway at 65 mph and only occasionally open it up.
Another guy made fun of me for not getting the 500. He has a 500 x-frame. I don't know what load he had, but it was punishing to my hands. The 460 in easy on the hands with a 240 grain hornady bullet flying at 19xx fps and being propelled by 45 grains of Win 296 powder. He was partly joking, but he also has to try and one-up people. I don't have to have the biggest..............................just the fastest
PS. My x-frame is purely a range gun, for fun. I don't hunt. A 45 colt 270 grain bullet would also work for home defense, if that was what I had at hand. If the size didn't make the perp crap himself and run, the round would ruin his day. It would double as a billy club, too. In reality, my XD 40 would be my first pic for home defense. I have 30k+ rounds through it and can handle it without looking at it, and can hit targets even without looking at the sights.
460 8 3/8"
I already had 45lc components and dies that weren't being used. I shot my grandfathers 44 mag with full power loads and my own cast powder puff loads, and liked it. I already load for 45 acp, so I had some molds an bullets for 45. I searched for bullets and found many more available for the 460 than the 500. I wanted an impressive, obnoxious, manly, gun that could also easily be tamed.
I have hand loads from 560 fps to 1917 fps. Last weekend, I loaded up some 230 grain LRN 45 acp bullets that I had lying around. 6 grains of red dot, inside a 45lc case, gave me around 650 fps. I was shooting at a 3/8" mild steel target from 20 yards. There was no problem with beating up the target, the loads had very mild recoil, and they were dirt cheap to load. My 270 SAA HP's, in the photo above, hit that steel pretty hard though. For light 460 loads, I use trail boss powder-cheap, fast pistol powders are not bulky enough. Trail boss would also be used in the 500 for light loads, but trail boss isn't cheap. 45 lc works great with the cheap powders. If you only shoot full power loads, then it doesn't much matter.
I shoot some medium and full power loads as well. I wanted a double action revolver of my own. I like high end products and the X Frame has an exceptional trigger and finish. My dad's 38 spl Smith is just kind of blah. The 45 colt loads are much more fun than 38 spl. I guess I am like the old guys that drive their fancy Corvettes down the freeway at 65 mph and only occasionally open it up.
Another guy made fun of me for not getting the 500. He has a 500 x-frame. I don't know what load he had, but it was punishing to my hands. The 460 in easy on the hands with a 240 grain hornady bullet flying at 19xx fps and being propelled by 45 grains of Win 296 powder. He was partly joking, but he also has to try and one-up people. I don't have to have the biggest..............................just the fastest
PS. My x-frame is purely a range gun, for fun. I don't hunt. A 45 colt 270 grain bullet would also work for home defense, if that was what I had at hand. If the size didn't make the perp crap himself and run, the round would ruin his day. It would double as a billy club, too. In reality, my XD 40 would be my first pic for home defense. I have 30k+ rounds through it and can handle it without looking at it, and can hit targets even without looking at the sights.
Mr.Revolverguy
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SharpsDressedMan
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Get the little one. It's easier to carry around. ...................................................
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Zaydok Allen
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The 460 is far more versatile than the 500 with the capability to shoot 45 Colt and .454. The 460V gets ignored a lot. The 5 inch bbl balances very well, in a proper holster it carries fine, though I recomend suspenders if carrying it on the hip, and it has more than enough bbl length to get the job done as far as accuracy and power. I bought mine for range use, and for angry bear country.
If you do get the 500, take a good look at the 6.5" bbl version. The tappered bbl makes it lighter than you would think, and it balances quite well.
Here's my 460V. Hand polished.
If you do get the 500, take a good look at the 6.5" bbl version. The tappered bbl makes it lighter than you would think, and it balances quite well.
Here's my 460V. Hand polished.
627PCFan
Member
Please note the Hogue Rubber grips, no fancy recoil absorbing wood for 460Kodiak
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The .460 is a lot of velocity that most can't utilize. Impressive numbers, for those impressed by ballistics tables. All that velocity does is extend your range. So if you have no need to shoot beyond 100-125yds, what do you need all that for? The question is, do you want a bigger hammer or just a rifle masquerading as a handgun?
The .480 is both a bigger hammer and a more efficient cartridge in a manageable package. A lofty pressure range yields more velocity and range than the .44Mag and it can slings a much more massive bullet.
The .480 is both a bigger hammer and a more efficient cartridge in a manageable package. A lofty pressure range yields more velocity and range than the .44Mag and it can slings a much more massive bullet.
codefour
Member
I was in the same boat last year. I wanted an X-frame but was undecided when it came to 460 vs 500.
I went with the 460 Mag XVR with the 8 3/8 inch barrel. Here is why I picked the 460. I opened my loading manuals and compared various loads. The 460 was much more versatile for hand loading when using the actual 460 cases. Not counting the added versatility of shooting the 454 Casull and 45 LC in it.
If you look, the 460 shoots similar weight bullets just as fast as th 500. Bullet selection is much more versatile than the 500. The 500 was designed as a novelty. The 460 was actually designed as a hunting cartridge.
Also, the 460 can be a legitimate 300 yard shooter. I have not scoped mine yet but I will eventually. It can regularly hit steel silhouettes at 300.
I went with the 460 Mag XVR with the 8 3/8 inch barrel. Here is why I picked the 460. I opened my loading manuals and compared various loads. The 460 was much more versatile for hand loading when using the actual 460 cases. Not counting the added versatility of shooting the 454 Casull and 45 LC in it.
If you look, the 460 shoots similar weight bullets just as fast as th 500. Bullet selection is much more versatile than the 500. The 500 was designed as a novelty. The 460 was actually designed as a hunting cartridge.
Also, the 460 can be a legitimate 300 yard shooter. I have not scoped mine yet but I will eventually. It can regularly hit steel silhouettes at 300.
JohnM
Member
Since the question was about the S&W X frame, I like the 460.
A versatile chambering.
A lot more variety in bullets around too.
All of us who like big bore handguns would like a room full, but most of us are lucky to just have a few.
A versatile chambering.
A lot more variety in bullets around too.
All of us who like big bore handguns would like a room full, but most of us are lucky to just have a few.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I have to disagree with your assessment. While the .460 is the better deer/hog/elk cartridge, the .500 will be all over it for anything bigger. In the hunting world, the .500 will do anything the .460 can and much, much more.
I still struggle to understand what folks think all that extra velocity yields them.
Hammerdown77
Member
Not having to adjust your sights at 200 yards, as far as I can tell from the S&W marketing...
Zaydok Allen
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Ha ha..... That is a good one. Nills grips coming in the future.
SharpsDressedMan
member
.460 go bang. .500 go BOOM!
Hit_Factor
Member
It certainly helps when dressing a deer. I took one at 10 yards once and alot of the stuff inside the deer went out the exit wound.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
If I had to choose I would also consider the 460 Magnum. Everyone keeps mentioning the fact you can shoot 45 Colt rounds in it but I also like the fact you can fire 454 Casull ammo too. Since I reload I can make anything I feel I need including heavier bullets at slower velocities similar to the 500. (I know, but not quite as heavy as the 500)
buck460XVR
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The .460 is a hoot to shoot, has impressive accuracy for a handgun caliber and is an efficient means of taking most any game animal in this world. It really shines on deer and similar game. It also really shines when handloaded for. I don't recommend it to anyone that doesn't handload. Factory ammo is just too hard to get and way to expensive for most folks to shoot it regularly enough to really get proficient with. When one handloads, they can also download standard .460 cases and forget about .45 Colt or .454 ammo. If you're buying it to shoot either of the latter, don't bother, just buy a decent .45 or .454.
Hammerdown77
Member
My biggest complaint about the 460 and the 500S&W is that they require X-frame size guns to shoot. Or long frame BFRs. Those are fun at the range and all, but for field use they just seem a bit much. Especially when you can chamber a 500 JRH or Linebaugh, or a 475 Linebaugh or 480 Ruger, in a standard Ruger Blackhawk or SRH sized gun and have all the power needed to take game on any continent.
The 460 seems like it would be a good silhouette cartridge, properly loaded so as not to wear you out during a day's string of fire.
The 460 seems like it would be a good silhouette cartridge, properly loaded so as not to wear you out during a day's string of fire.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Seems rather odd to me to buy a 4.5-5lb revolver capable of over 2000fps and then proceed to shoot standard pressure 900fps .45Colt loads in it. That to me screams impractical far more than versatile. Practicing with .44Spl's in a .44Mag is one thing but shooting a cartridge designed for a 36oz Colt SAA in a 5lb X-frame seems more than a little strange. A point it seems designed strictly to justify the purchase of something that offers way too much of everything.
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