New member here, just got a 460 S&W and shot it today. Man it is a lot of fun and surprisingly accurate. Trying to decide which load to use on this weekend's deer hunt. They all shot about the same accuracy wise, but I was leaning towards a better constructed bullet - not the Hornady SST 200gr.

Here are my choices:

454 Casull - Hornady Custom 240gr XTP hollow point
454 Casull - Barnes 250 gr XFB Hollow Point
460 S&W - Federal Fusion 260gr
460 S&W - Federal Vital Shock 300gr Swift A-frame

I originally was planning on shooting the Fusion, but after looking at the ballistics, it's a pretty mild load and I would have to hold fairly high on shots over about 150 yards. Right now, I am leaning towards the 454 Casull 240gr Hornady.

Does anyone have any experience with any of these loads on game?

Thanks for your help!

cb,

Have had good performance from ALL mentioned. For deer, the Fed 460 Fusion should work just fine. Deer are generally not difficult to take. All of the other rounds should work fine, as well. By purchasing the 460 ammo, you will increase your fired brass supply for reloading.

Doc

The 2 I use are the Hornady 200 gr. FTX,and the 240 XTP MAG, used them both on deer only, no complaints here, on a side note damage with the XTP was more extensive.

I have used the Nosler Partitions in 260 gr. and the Barnes 200 gr. bullet. Both shoot very accurate in mine too. I have used both of them to kill deer.

I'd go with the 454 load using the 240 grain XTP, but any of those loads would do the trick.

I like the 300gr XTP MAG bullets. Found the load that shoots lights out at 200+ yards, and that's what I plan on using for everything. Deer, elk, bear, everything.

I did it that way cause I like to keep my reloading stuff to a minimum. Find one bullet / powder / primer combination that works, and use it for everything.

That's just me though. I like to keep it simple so I have less chance for screwing up.

If you hit a deer where it counts with any of them you will be eating venison. Shoot the one you shoot the best.

out of the 460 i'd use the 300 grain a frame. opens like gangbusters at 460 velocities and will hold together. in fact, i'd use it on cape buff but then again, i very nearly did.

the 240 454 xtp is great on deer as well. damage is very extensive but ya won't really need to track it far. the barnes does the most damage with that 250 gr xpb if it's shoots well out of your gun. it's the only bullet i've stopped deer with that traveled less than 5 or 10 yards and didn't hit the vitals. just a weed whacker of a bullet.

hornady 200 grain ftx has put down every deer I've shot at to date.
put it where you should and it will get er done. will be working up some 300 xtp mag for elk soon.

With the power of the 460, I would think you could shoot cotton balls and still be good to go out to 75 or 80 yards.

I found my 460 loves the following load:
Bullet: Barnes 275gr XPB
Powder: H110, 38.0gn
Primer: WLRM
Brass: Starline

Using UltraDot Red Dot, shot 5 rnd groups 1-1/4". Being it was with a red dot I was more then pleased.

From all the searching I've done since getting my S&W 460 XVR this last Tuesday I've decided to try the Hornady 240 gr XTP MAG bullets loaded with 45 gr of H110 with a CCI 250 magnum large rifle primer loaded into new Hornady 460 brass to use as my deer load for here in Iowa. This load is close to the starting low end for loading but I've had some feedback on the S&W forum stating that the load/bullet performs well so I guess I'll see.

I won't get the powder and bullets in my hands til later this week but hope to have some rounds loaded up for testing/shooting next w/e or shortly after. I plan on shooting thru my chronograph and I'll try to post some results. I plan on using that load/bullet for late muzzleloader season here in Iowa to take a doe or two with and I'll hopefully be able to see how it performs on a deer.

I'm also getting in some 300 gr XTP MAGs as well and plan on some load development with those in the near future as well and I may get a chance to try those in January for the special doe season and see how they perform as well.

I'm excited to be able to use a handgun for hunting finally and look forward to getting some good results.

You may find the best accuracy nearer the high end with H110, but you gotta start somewhere and that would be a safe place to begin.

I agree.

LBT WFN 260 GR