I'm going elk hunting next month in Colorado for my tenth straight year. This will be my first year to hunt with a handgun. I will be hunting with a S&W 460 topped with a Burris 2x7 scope. I went to the sporting goods store today and bought Hornady 200gr. SST. Is this a good round to hunt with, or should I go back and get the Carbon?

I have only used the sst loads on paper but I think the bullet weight and structure is light for elk. I'm using my 460 for bear right now but I've loaded up 260gr nosler partitions to 2000fps with groups off the sand bags going under 2" at 150 yds. if you handload I'll give you the load info I'm using, otherwise I would opt for a heavier bullet from cor bon. just my opinion though

I think the 200 gr SST is a little light. If you don't handload and want to go with Corbon, all three of the loads they list for the 460 should do the job. The 325 gr BC A-Frame at 1650 fps sounds like a great load.

I'm with the other two fellas. The SST is a great bullet but with that large of a diameter and only 200gr...that's too light for elk in my opinion. Speed is not a major concern when hunting with big bore handguns...bullet weight however is your friend!! Heavy bullets with a large diameter and reasonable velocity will penetrate like nothing else!

I've used as light as 180's in a .44 cal on deer w/ good results but that is not a good comparison for elk. And for the past several years, all that I use is 320gr cast. The lightest bullets I shoot in my .45 cal revolvers is 255gr but mostly 340gr cast.

Have you had any luck while hunting elk in Colorado over the past 10 years? You may be able to answer your own question. Elk are tough critters for sure. If you hit a shoulder with that SST it may not hold up. I definitely would go with a heavier tougher bullet.

I have been very successful with a 30.06 and a 300 ultra mag with a 180 grain bullet. Thats why I'm confused why a 200 grain from a revolver would not be enough. I'm not second guessing you guys at all, I'm just trying to understand. I know you guys have forgotten more about handgun hunting than I've even learned, and I appreciate your your time and expertise!

Thanks Bryan

I have a few questions. What were your velocities with the 30-06 and the 300 ultra mag? What bullets were you using? Seems to me that the SST may expand easier than you might like in a large animal like an elk. If everything goes perfectly and you get a shot right into the vitals you may be okay. Since when can everything be counted on to go just right?

I called Cabelas, Sportsmans, and Gander Mountain and none of them carried any shell larger than 200 gr. I'm going to try and call S&W tommorrow and see if they know of a bigger round available unless you guys can tell me where I might find them at. Not sure of the velocities but the 30.06 was remington core loke and the 300 ultra mag was remington swift scirocco.

Thanks Bryan

LUCKYDOG,
I have never hunted elk with a handgun, unfortunately, by I believe the guys are giving you sound advice. I too would be concerned that the 200 grain SST, would not stay together at the velocities you would be pushing it on a large critter like an elk. Thus you may have a penetration problem. I don't know for sure, but I would imagine the factory 200-grain SST load is primarily out there to show the accuracy and velocity that the big wheelgun can generate. That does not mean, however, that it is the best load for big game.

Dan said it best I think when he indicated that bullet weight and diameter are a big plus from the handgun, and that while velocity is important its not absolutely critical that it be extremely high to take advantage of the energy that a big diameter pistol bullet can deliver.

I would go with on of the Corbon loads, no question.

Pardon the misspellings in my previous post. My sixth grade English teacher just rolled over.

luckydog, my local shop has 5 boxes of the corbon load with the barnes x bullet. not sure of the weight or price, i just happened to see them the other day in there. if you want, i'd be happy to find out the price and if you want them, i'll get 'em and ship 'em out to ya.let me know.

Thanks Bisleyfan44! If you could check and see if they were larger than 200 grs and get back to me that would be great. If they are larger than 200 grs, please get the phone number to the shop and, I could call and pay by credit card and have them ship them. Its damn nice of you to go out of your way like that!!! You can call me on my cell, 720-404-6605.

Thanks Bryan

You can order direct from Corbon. They are under the links on this site. They have a load using a 275 gr X-Bullet at 1825 fps.

Hey you guys, thanks for all the info. I've got a better understanding now of why I need a heavier round. I just need to get it ordered or find someone local who has it in stock.

Thanks Bryan

luckydog, i checked today and he still has 5 boxes that he'll sell me for $45/box. he has them marked at $53, but since i used to work there he's cutting me a break. don't know if that's good or not...not really familiar with 460 prices. now to totally confuse you, they are loaded with the 200 gr. x bullet which is quite a bit different from the sst and stronger as well. i have never shot an elk or anyhting else with this load, but this bullet may still be suitable for elk and here's why. if you're familiar with the x bullet, you know that it is solid copper. this is done to let you shoot a light for caliber bullet to retain higher velocities because of the lighter weight and still get super weight retention and penetration. as hopefully dan and some others will tell you, the barnes bullet will usually retain virtually 100% of it's weight even when encountering tough hides and bones at high velocities and shorter range. so maybe it'll work for you....hopefully others here with more experience than me can tell you for sure. maybe someone who chases bigger critters than i do. you still may be better served with a heavier bullet...i don't know. btw, i don't mind at all helping out a fellow handgunner who can't find ammo. let me know.

Sorry It took me so long to get back to ya bisleyfan44. Thanks for checking that out for me. I'm interested in the shells that they have, all you can find here is 200 gr hollow points. I've called every store in colorado. I've found some 325gr and 395gr on the internet but they are flat nosed only. We did the math and if I can find the right 200 gr it will work at close range, but I don't think I can count on the sst. Could you give me the phone number to the shop?

Thanks Bryan

it's dave's sport shop. they can be reached at 1-410-742-2454. if somebody other than dave answers the phone tell them that shane referred you and that dave quoted a price of $45/box and go from there. glad to help...give me a holler if you need anything.

Thanks Shane! I talked to Dave that runs the store, and he knows his stuff! I didn't buy the shells from him because I can buy the same ones here. After talking to him I know I will be okay with the corbon round he recomended. He is going to try to stop in Denver and go goose hunting with me. If you are ever in Denver you are also invited. Goose hunting is what I'm really good at and I have 40 leases available. Feel free to call me if theres ever anything I can do for you, And if your headed to Denver try to make time for a goose hunt.

Thanks Bryan
Luckydog Hunting Team
720-404-6605

i'm glad you got to talk to dave. he's a great guy and very knowledgeable. i try to be a sponge whenever i'm around him...so much to be learned. he goes out your way quite a bit elk hunting...co,az,nm, maybe some others. as a matter of fact he just built a home just outside of pagosa springs in sw colorado. nice log home. i think he's setting himself up for retirement....he loves it out west (and the broncos,too)! thank you for the invitation for goose hunting. i just went last year for the first time and got my first canada...it was a blast. if i ever get out that way, i'll definitely make time for a hunt. with 40 leases, you ought to have some great action. thanks again and i'm glad i could help. good luck on those elk with the 460...let me know how it goes. shane

Shane, I went out today and shot the 460 for the first time, and all I can say is HOLY CHIT! I had an idea it was going to kick pretty hard but I was still surprised. I also couldn't believe how accurate it was. That Burris 2X7 was on the paper at 100 yards on the first shot. After a little fine tuning I was shooting a pretty deadly pattern at 100 yards, and I'm not that great of a shot. I was a little worried about my lack of handgun hunting experience, but today was quite a confidence builder. I'm new to handguns not elk hunting. Thanks again for the help, and I'll be sure to let you know how the hunt turns out.

Bryan

i've heard those 460s are pretty accurate. and just think, you'll get even better with practice. just remember to hold on! good luck.

I took my 460 boar hunting this past spring, I have the 6 1/2" pc model. I used the corbon 390gr bullets, they do some serious damage. Punched a hole right through the boars shoulder plate and kept on going out the other side. The recoil isn't much more, to me anyway. It had a bit more of a push back, but nothing drastically different. I have a .44 pc that is worse to shoot than the 460. Enjoy, it is a great gun!