l have a couple of question on the ctg..Can l use my Hornady carbide 45 Long Colt dies to load and size the 460 SW brass ?? How well does the SW X Frame gain twist barrel shoot cast bullets??

Thanks

282

282,

Yes you can use the 45 Colt dies and the gain twist shoots cast without problems

Doc

Get the 460!!!! You'll love it! I don't shoot hardcast in it, but rather a 300gr XTP MAG. Shoots lights out, and I can only imagine it will do the same with cast. I wouldn't trade mine for anything.

I use both FTX and the XTP mag,I have 2 460"s, you will not be sorry.

X2

I have dedicated 460 dies. Not sure that the 45 colt will be long enough. That said its an awesome caliber. The performance weve seen woth premium expandables has been nothing short of phenomenal!!' Great accuracy outta the smith as well

I used 45 Colt dies in my Dillon 550B for the 460 before getting the actual 460 dies. Thought it would make a difference, but it really doesn't unless you just really want to do a full resize every time. Otherwise, the 45 Colt dies work just fine.

You'll need to apply a roll crimp to ensure the bullets don't back out of the case under the recoil. Surely you could use a 45 Colt roll crimp die for a 460 if the sizing die would work.

I can't say for sure about the 460 and 45 Hornady dies, but I have full RCBS die sets in 38/357 as well as 357 Maximum and both use the same FL die. My 45 Colt sizer looks long enough to reach. Sure worth a try.

Oh, one thing though about what I said above. I said I used the 45 Colt dies with no problems, but I am using them for rounds that go in a single shot TC. I don't need a roll crimp.

That detail may disqualify everything I have said!

Oh, no. You can crimp just fine with a shorter die, but you wouldn't be able to crimp 45's with a 460 die. The only real issue might be the FL die, but I don't think it will be a problem.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=417547173


l got this one.. Now l will be deciding on a scope. 2x or 4x

Sw282,

Congrats on your purchase - I have the same PC gun, with a Leupold 2.5-8 mounted up top.

Nice!! Now ya need to get a wheelbarrow to haul it around in!

They are a lot of fun. 200 yards is no problem for the 460, and they are just fun to shoot.

Do ya know what bullet you are going to reload?

Congrats sw282! The longer barrel makes a lot of sense in the .460 IMHO. I have the 8 3/8" version with a 4X Leupold mounted on a Weigand base in 3 Weigand rings.

Have fun with it!!!

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=418752834

Here are some better pictures of the same revolver model from another auction..The gunshop owner told me the gun owner had only fired t a few times.. l dont know if l will be getting the sling or not..l will be getting app 100rds of ammo with it...Mostly 460SW.. But one box of 454 Casull. l dont think this model is as radical as some of the others offered by Smith n Wesson.. The 10.5'' barrel is max allowed in IHMSA in production revolver class.. At least l wont be thrown in with the Unlimited guys..


Looking at the hornady manual l will likely settle on their 200gr FTX bullet..l can see no need for anything heavier in my shooting future..

You are correct in that those 200gr bullets are all you'll ever "need", but I like to refer to them as "scam bullets"!

S&W used them to achieve the ridiculous velocities so they could claim they had the meanest, fastest, baddest..... whatever.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the 460, and my first handgun buck was taken with the same bullet you mentioned. But the 460 is capable of SOOOOOOOOOOOO much more!!!

I think the XTP MAG's would be a better choice.

The barnes and a frames are significantly even better

If you get one you won't be disappointed. As for using 45 colt dies, I wouldn't. Dies are not that expensive. My 460 will shoot 2 in. groups or smaller all day long. Don't reload cast bullets so I can't help you. Good luck.

I recommend a 4x scope over a 2x model. If you can find a variable power scope, that would be even better.

X2
I went with the variable on mine, and VERY glad that I did. The 460 has more range than a fixed power will give you. At least with my eyes.

Especially a fixed 2x power.

One of the most accurate out of the box handguns I have ever shot was a 460 a friend had doing some testing. For me it was also one of the most obnoxious blast I've witnessed in a handgun. That was the only draw back and the reason I don't own one,they have to be fun to shoot.

Just an update to say the seller shipped the gun today..And will be sending the ammo tomorrow..140 rds of 200gr Hornady FTX/SST.. 0ne box of 454 Cassul for a total..l picked up a couple boxes of 460Fed Premium 275gr Barnes hp from a local store..Hopefully the gun will be here by the weekend..Bidding on a 4x Leupold too.. Likely my first rounds down the pipe will be 45LC.. Then working up to the REAL stuff

Shooting the 45's out of my 460 made for the most pleasant handgun shooting experience I've ever had. If you want to see how the different rounds compare before you shoot, watch my "460 Recoil Comparison" video in the Member Video section.

Yeah, you could do that...

But its a LOT more fun to experience it first hand without any knowledge of what's about to happen!

X3

I also,run mine with the 300gr XTP"s

Raptor, did you ever take your 460 elk hunting?

YUP!! I take it every trip. Just haven't scored any big game with it yet. Since last season and the new addition of the 500JRH, every time I go bear or elk hunting, both are with me. The 500JRH is on my belt, and the 460 TC is in my pack. My "deal" with myself is that if its under 100 yards, it will be the 500JRH that I use. If it is over 100, I'll use the 460S&W. Last year would have been an easy score with the 460, but I chose to get my wife set up on the herd that walked right to us. With one shot, she got her first big game of any kind, a 6x6 bull, and is now hooked for life. I won't trade my 460 for anything, but to delay using it one year in order to get my wife hooked is a no brainer!!! I thought about taking one at the same time she shot hers, but I decided against it so I could focus on her, and make sure everything goes well. It certainly did!!

I haven't scored with the 500JRH either, so I'm working on it as well. The 460 has taken a couple coyotes, but I still haven't gotten one end to end with it like I'm hoping. I HATE coyotes, and a 300gr XTP MAG going end for end on one should make a pretty good mess!

Sorry, can't resist... gotta post it again... It's one of my favorites.

When my dad and I took my 460 out to shoot for the first time, I made him shoot it first. I, uh, wasn't afraid to shoot it at first or anything, I just didn't want to deprive him of the first time experience.

l will hopefully be getting my 460 this weekend.. Roy said he was shipping it Tuesday and the ammo Wed...Regardless of ammo on hand the first rounds FIRED will be 45LC....

I don't blame you for wanting to shoot the 45s first. I think you'll find them to be a pleasant shooting experience out of that hefty revolver.

....And lts H U G E...Quite well made tho.Exc condition..l found some reduced loads in my Speer #14 manual..They list a couple loads for their 250gr GDHP and 260gr JHP 45Colt bullets...Listed at around 1600fps and 37,000psi..29-31gr of 2400....Their only full pwr load is for a 454 Casull 300Gr jsp GD bullet...These are rated @55,000psi..

l will load some of the 250 GD hp and then off to the range,Along w/45 long Colt ammo too...Will keep yall posted

l managed to reload some 460 cases using info from my Speer #14.. They have some data for 'reduced recoil' loads using their 250 gr GDHP and 260gr JHP 45 Colt bullets...Choosing my favorite powder, (''2400'') Speer suggested 29-31gr....l took the middle road @ 30gr..At 1550fps these reduced loads are still 50ft faster than the 454 Casull loads a couple pages back.l tried and managed to use my 45 Colt dies..l did not like the issues l encountered using my Colt dies so l ordered a set of Hornady 460M carbide dies..They are a 4 piece set. Seating and crimping are separate dies..

Stay tuned...l am hoping my next UpDate will be a range report....

I'm looking forward to the range report.

Just got back from Shooters and the gun shot GREAT..l mounted a Leupold 4x EER on it last nite and finished loading some ammo after getting my 460 Hornady dies from Midway today...l shot 4 different loads in it at the range...Starting mild my first load was a Speer 250gr swaged swc over 14 gr of Trail Boss....l guess those Speer swc pills were traveling around 1000fps... My first experience was rewarded with very nice groups...lt is a frustrating powder to work with tho...lt clumps up in my powder measure due to its bulk..l ended up weighting each charge...My next bullet combo was also a Speer bullet..A 250 gr GDHP..They didnt do as well as the lead SWC..l suspect that at almost 1600fps they may have been going faster than they were designed..This is a 45 COLT bullet... My most accurate load Hornady's 225gr FTX bullet.. lt was also a reduced recoil load..l like this bullet because of its weight and also ts price..You can get a hundred of these for about the same money as 50 of the Magnum FTX 45 cal bullets....They Hornady manual says the 225 gr FTX is good for to 1800fps..l believe my reduced load was travelng at 1700..Last but certianly NOT least were a couple groups fired with Hornadys Factory 200gr FTX Ammo. To say it GOT my attention would be an accurate statement..lt didnt hurt but it was lntense..Very accurate for factory ammo. l was gratified that my 225gr FTX shot as small a group.Just 500fps slower......The range owners' son liked the factory AMMO too. No stranger to big revolvers..This kid shoots his DADs' BFR in 45-70...Bottom line ..l just love this cannon..Last Saturday of this month l will be hunting STEEL Ram and Pigs at our clubs' monthly IHMSA meet..l will get a chance to see how it performs at 200 meters.. A bit further than the 33 yds l was shooting this evening

I knew you'd like it. If you can find them, the XTP-Mags are also great bullets. They're accurate and can handle the hottest loads.

From shooting a .460 in the past it was never the recoil that bothered me. It was the blast and pressure making me feel as if I had been slapped. Great, accurate gun, just lots of noise. .45 are like a .38 special .454 aren't bad either, but double up on hearing protection for the bi boys.

l just love the size and heft of the gun..lt points well for me..lt aint about shooting the worlds fastest revolver..Right now l am reloading the cases l shot at the range Fri...50 rds will be 14gr of Trail Boss topped by a 250gr Speer lead swc @1000fps..The other 50 rds will be a load for Hornady .452 225gr FTX BULLETS blessed by a technician ...This too is a reduced load..Speer 14 has reduced recoil loads or the 460....''IF'' you handload the uses of this cartridge are unlimited.

l worked for Kenny Jarrett a awhile about 15 years ago.l'm not stranger to magnum cartridges..