The bullet I've been using in my 460 is the 240 grain Hornady XTP-Mag. However, finding them tends to be an issue nowadays, so I've been looking at potential alternatives. While looking through Midway's website, I noticed they had a couple 460 S&W capable bullets in stock, but no XTP-Mags.

My question is, if I run them at maximum or near-maximum loads, do you think it would make a difference whether I used a lighter, faster 200 grain FTX or XPB compared to a larger, slower 300 to 325 grain Swift A-frame or Speer DeepCurl? I'm asking both in terms of accuracy and the distance a deer might potentially travel before expiring.

I'll be honest. I don't subscribe to the super fast 200 grain bullet in the 460 way of thinking. I have never understood that. I wouldn't use it in a 45 or a 454 so I can't understand the desire to use them in one with even more velocity potential. I'm sure it will work a lot of the time but I think its setting yourself up for failure at some point down the road possibly. I've seen a few kills with the 200s that I thought were very lucky for both the hunter and the game. The hunter in that he was able to find the animal and the game in that they didn't have to suffer because of a non penetrating wound. they just happened to hit in a spot that allowed an artery to be severed on accident. I guess if I were to try a 200, it would have to be a Barnes but even then, you are looking at a fat and VERY short projectile. That doesn't spell deep penetration on a marginal shot if everything isn't perfect when you pull the trigger. We all look at it different though so I'll be curious to see what responses you get here.

Another that you could always try is the Freedom Arms 260 grain flat point. Its built to handle the 454 pressures etc and would probably work pretty well in the 460. Don't know that I've seen anyone try one. I love them in the 454 and last I heard, you could still buy them at FA. If you like them though, buy a bunch with the next call as they don't make them in house anymore and I don't think the folks they sold the equipment to ever really set up to produce them......Just a thought..

speed doesn't equal penetration, in fact I've seen evidence to the contrary. a heavier bullet usually does though. Now I know people who hunt with 200 grain bullets at a lot slower than the 460 is pushing them so I'm not gonna bash that bullet, but I'd rather be slinging heavier lead given the choice. of course, that's just my opinion.

I use 265 gr. Swifts in my .454. Does an awesome job on deer. Better trajectory than the heavy bullets and less recoil. Win-win.

FWIW, I do not have a 460, only a 454. But in my testing with the 460 Rowland with various 45 ACP bullets, I saw something that really hit home. When you use a bullet that is designed for much lower speeds, you might have unintended conseqences. Like an expanding bullet that literally gets turned inside out. This might work for you and your game and shot presentation, but I think it worth understanding.

Like you are asking here, I also like to ask the maker of the bullet what the design velocity envelope for a particular bullet will be, if not found on their website. Hornady lists a lot of theirs, if you dig around on their web site. Barnes takes a day or five to get back to an email, but they always answer.

Craig

Amen GlennS! That 260 from Freedom, the originals and the discontinued 300gr bullet were the most accurate jacketed bullets I have ever used. If I did ever get a 460 I would not go below 260 myself. Cast Performance makes a nice 265GC and it shoots great out of my 454. Velocity for velocity's sake does make sense to me either, the bullet has to perform.

I have some of the Barnes on my bench for toying with the 460S&W, both in 200 and 275 gr varieties. These XPB's are more of the spitzer style than the conventional hollow-point, so they are longer than an XTP-design or typical JHP. One of these days, I'll have to give them a go - they are one of the few that offer a nice compromise of expansion and penetration, despite being light(er) for caliber. I wouldn't fear driving them too fast, as the 450 Bushmaster fans have been pushing them faster that the 460 can generate with good results on hogs.

As Doc attests, the A-frame would be a good options as well, bring offered in 265/300/325gr varieties.

On deer-sized game, any of these options are going to bag your game. The higher velocity, lower weight projectiles may not produce an exit, but will certainly create some havoc on the way to the opposite hide...

If the Barnes is a spitzer like the ones I've used in a ML, that would be a cool one. I've had good luck with those. I was thinking it was one of the ashtray looking ones like I have for some others. Still prefer the 260s though. Haha

Using a lighter, faster bullet will no doubt mean sacrificing penetration, but I don't exactly need a deep penetrating bullet for the deer around here. I'm just trying to find an effective alternative in case I run out of XTP-Mags.

At Bass Pro, they had a couple boxes of the 200 grain FTX bullets. I picked up two boxes just to see how well they shoot out of my gun.

I think they will kill deer just fine. I have almost a half box of 240 MAGS that I am not going to use in my 45 and you are welcome to them. Just message me your mailing address.