so, given that money is not an object, would you choose a S&W 500 mag, S&W 460 mag, or 44 magnum revolver? those are your choices, no other makes or models. intended use would be deer and bear hunting, and back up for hiking in bear country. it would be a 5 or 6" barrel. don't want to try to get a 10" barrel out of a holster when a bear is 10 yards away!
b-i-g
- Thread starter Xwrench3
- Start date
Doodlebugger45
New member
I currently have a 44 mag. It's nice and powerful and has a very manageable recoil. But I truly lust after a 460 magnum. If I was planning on purposely going after big game with a handgun, that would be my choice. But... although it would be a neat revolver to own, it's not a practical choice for me. I don't think it would be fun to go to the range and fire 50 rounds in 460 mag loading. The neat thing of course is that if you have a 460 revolver, you can always shoot 454 or even 45 Colt ammo for fun. But I already have a 45 Colt for fun shooting.
Someday though... a 460 could very well show up on my doorstep just looking for a good home...
Someday though... a 460 could very well show up on my doorstep just looking for a good home...
Kreyzhorse
New member
If I need any thing more powerful than a .44 mag, it will be in the form of a long gun.
davlandrum
New member
.460 - of course I am biased, because I own one...
Lets you shoot .45 Colt, .454 Casull, or .460 as Doodle pointed out.
Although the marketing hype on the .460 is all about the speed, there are load recipes for heavier bullets moving slower as well.
In the 8 inch, with the compensator, I feel it is about the same as a .44
I have burned through 160 rounds of .460 in one range day. Of course, I had to work for a week to pay for it...
Honestly, I have to limit the amount of .460 I take to the range now because I will shoot every round I take....
Lets you shoot .45 Colt, .454 Casull, or .460 as Doodle pointed out.
Although the marketing hype on the .460 is all about the speed, there are load recipes for heavier bullets moving slower as well.
In the 8 inch, with the compensator, I feel it is about the same as a .44
I have burned through 160 rounds of .460 in one range day. Of course, I had to work for a week to pay for it...
Honestly, I have to limit the amount of .460 I take to the range now because I will shoot every round I take....
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Willie Lowman
New member
If I find my self face to face with an animal I can't kill with a .44mag, I have to ask myself why I took my guns to the zoo.
What kind of bear are we talking about here? Brown, 500. Black, .44mag
What kind of bear are we talking about here? Brown, 500. Black, .44mag
davlandrum
New member
Willie - not about bear protection for me. I aspire to get good enough for a 200 yard hunting range with my .460. I am not there yet, but I am ethical enough to know that and limit my range accordingly. But it will come. I might have to win the lottery to feed the beast first, but it will come.
dairycreek
New member
davlandrum
My congratulations on your comments. They show real class.
kayakersteve
New member
460 or bust...
AWesome package
AWesome package
Housezealot
New member
I just put a .500 on layaway, being that I don't spend time in bear country I cant imagine needing anything with more stopping power than a .357 and I usually only carry .40 so as far as big goes, it's all for the kicks and I might as well have the biggest. but if I was going to be in bear country I might as well have more than enough gun.
davlandrum
New member
Dairycreek - Thanks.
I am a hunter ed instructor, so try to live what I teach.
I am a hunter ed instructor, so try to live what I teach.
3StrikesNC
New member
Guess I'm biased .....
Besides the .460 S&W, this chambers the Schofield, Casull & Long Colt.
Pretty amazing, pick your round.
Besides the .460 S&W, this chambers the Schofield, Casull & Long Colt.
Pretty amazing, pick your round.
Pathfinder45
New member
Older school
I only voted fo .44 magnum because I wasn't allowed to vote for .45 Colt. If I need something more powerful than either of these two, then I need a rifle.
I only voted fo .44 magnum because I wasn't allowed to vote for .45 Colt. If I need something more powerful than either of these two, then I need a rifle.
You missed an option?
You forgot to add an "all of the above" option
I have a couple of 44 mag Vaquaro's, would love to try a 460 or 500 tho
The only bears we have in Oz are Koala's (can't hunt with a pistol & especially not Koala's) so I would just like to have them, to have them... and punch some BIG holes in paper (dying to try the watermellon shoot too)
You forgot to add an "all of the above" option
I have a couple of 44 mag Vaquaro's, would love to try a 460 or 500 tho
The only bears we have in Oz are Koala's (can't hunt with a pistol & especially not Koala's) so I would just like to have them, to have them... and punch some BIG holes in paper (dying to try the watermellon shoot too)
I never had the urge to have the biggest most powerful handgun around. To me, at least, they are usually useless, used only for bragging rights and showing off. I prefer something that I can actually afford and use, but I've always been more of a realist.
A .44 magnum is about all that you really need. It will be the most controllable and the more affordable. Controllability is very important in a self defense situation, you need to make your first shot count, and be prepared for follow up shots if necessary. You also need to look at ammo availability and price. You can find .44 magnum just about anywhere, and the price will allow you to practice more than a .500 or .460 will.
A .44 magnum is about all that you really need. It will be the most controllable and the more affordable. Controllability is very important in a self defense situation, you need to make your first shot count, and be prepared for follow up shots if necessary. You also need to look at ammo availability and price. You can find .44 magnum just about anywhere, and the price will allow you to practice more than a .500 or .460 will.