My first hunting handgun, the handgun that got me into handgun hunting in the first place, was a S&W Model 460 XVR, the classic 8 3/8" version. My younger, ignorant self believed this handgun was everything you could ask for in a hunting handgun: powerful, flat shooting, capable of firing shorter rounds for cheaper target practice, and capable of shooting at longer ranges if the need arose. What I found out, however was the 460 was almost too much for me to handle, especially for my first handgun. The 45 Colt rounds weren't terribly accurate, and full power 460 loads were uncomfortable to practice with. I never really shot it regularly past 50 yards or so, and I felt limiting my shots to that distance left me vastly underutilizing its potential.

I eventually got my Encore, which despite producing similar or greater power out of my 300 Win Mag barrel, was far easier to shoot, and to shoot accurately. Which I've done out to 200 yards. When the opportunity arose, I sold the 8 3/8" 460 for a used 14" Performance Center Model. I felt this was a vast improvement over the standard model. It's much greater weight out front made it noticeably more comfortable to shoot. Its longer barrel helps to better utilize the massive cartridge, and with a Huntington action job, the trigger is superior. I've managed some impressive velocities and groups with it.

However, a part of me is still a little dissatisfied with it. For whatever reason, it hates anything heavier than 200 grain bullets, and even with the loads it likes I wouldn't want to shoot it beyond 150 yards yet. Despite being a revolver, it's as long as my 300 Win Mag Encore, similarly heavy, but not quite as accurate, nor does it have as good of a trigger or the excellent Pachmayr grip on my Encore.



In short, I've been considering having MGM make me an Encore barrel. Although I have a used factory 460 barrel, it doesn't have a brake and its a fairly thin taper. I've grown fond of it with reduced loads (think 45 Colt Ruger/TC only load levels) with open sights, and I certainly don't want to shoot a full power load through it. I was thinking something like a full bull, 15" barrel with a brake and have one of their six hole bases installed. Maybe with one of their fluting patterns just for the looks.

For those of you who've shot a 460 S&W chambered Encore and revolver, which one did you prefer? Do you guys think the Encore would better utilize the 460's performance? Or do you think I should stick with the Performance Center Model 460?

Encore!!

Revolver!!

Encore!!

Revolver!!

Encore xInfinity!

I took a 15" factory tapered 45-70 barrel and had it cut down and a fish gill break added. It is now ~15.5" long and pleasant to shoot 300gn pills at ~1800-1900 fps. I do notice that after 2 shots (that often overlap at 100yds) my POI shifts, so I think a new bull barrel is a better solution (then breaking your factory barrel). For reference +p 45-70 loads (300gn chronoed at 2050) are back in the range of not fun to shoot again even with the break. One thing you should do is to have a discussion about forends (with barrel maker and forend maker) and keeping them attached and solid with 460 recoils.

I'm pretty much a revolver guy when it comes to straightwall cartridges but for the 460 I think the Encore is a better platform. No B/C gap to waste off velocity and size and weight are a wash. Make the first one count and no need for quick follow-up shots ;-)

Yeah sure, never a need for quick follow-up shots....

My wife and I have both shot Racksmaster's MGM Encore pistol in 460 S&W...excellent handgun....my vote is for the Encore

I really like revolvers. But, that long barreled 460 seems like a wee bit too much of a good thing. At 5.5 lbs, it's close to the weight of my rem. 660 rifle and bests the monstrous Colt Walker by a pound in weight and 6" in length! Add in the performance loss due to the B/C gap, which may or may not be too bad, and my vote goes to the Encore.

The revolver should be the most useful for hunting and defense from biters, clawers and stompers. If the 460 rounds are too much, use 454 Casull for practice and shoot the 460 S&W .395 grain hardcast Corbon-style factory load equivaliant for the BIG STUFF!!!
My 5 inch 460 S&W is my go to carry gun. My Perfect Packing Pistol where ever I were to roam in the great outdoors.

I would get a 460 bfr 7.5? barrel. Bisley grip is wonderful very good ballistic performance. I get nearly 100fps more than my longer smith 460?s. Im a guy that likes multiple shots and if i get single shots they have to be short enough to shoot offhand or i might as well have a rifle imho. I have never had trouble with accuracy with any of my 460 smiths with heavier bullets so maybe u have a dud?

Here is my rig. Tried a borrowed SW 460, didn't like. Saw this on one of the pistol sites for sale. Jumped on it. What a cannon.
I shoot the 200grn XTB Barnes bullets and H110.
I have three rings on the red dot now and at 100 and 200 it is flat shooting and rings the gong with authority.
Haven't killed anything with it yet but that is about to change. Found a place in southern OK with hogs and a bunch of hills with rocks and creeks.

Hawkeye, how long is that barrel?

Encore Pro Hunter with a 14" ported MGM barrel. Loved the 335gr hard cast bullets in that hand canon. If I ever get another 460 Smith, it will be in that identical setup. Got a picture of it on here somewhere....

The barrel is 15" with break. Full bull. It's heavy but nice with you light it up. The Pachy's sure help ease the pain.
Right now I can't remember the twist rate.
I shoot the Barnes 200 grn XPB with H110. Very flat shooting out to 200 yds which is all I have at my range. Here is the 460 next to my 44 Mag.
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Chance, my Encore that David referred to is a 15? MGM 1? full bull barrel, 6 hole base, 11? forend from Tony?s, topped with a Luepold 2.5-8, the gun shoots very well out to 200 yards, my other is a P/C 12? 460, both wear no brake, the velocity difference between the two is roughly 600 FPS, with the same load, if you want long range go with the Encore.

I DO NOT TOLERATE ENCORE RECOIL WELL. HAD A 20 INCHER WITH A HEAVY FOREND IN ENCORE PISTOL MODE, DID NOT LIKE IT SO MOVED IT. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE BALLISTIC ADVANTAGES TO AN ENCORE, I AM A REVOLVER MAN AND AM QUITE HAPPY WITH MY 10 INCH PC S&W, IN WHICH I SHOOT THE CORBON BARNES 200 gr XPB @ 2,300 fps

My preference.

This is a picture I took of a friend shooting his .460 S&W revolver and why I want nothing to do with it. While it makes for an awesome picture..........it is a lesson in ballistic inefficiency.



I expect some hate for that comment.

VERY NICE!

I'm with you, Rey. I toyed with the idea of getting one. Asked my "gun builder", JD Jones. He said in a revolver it was not much better than a .454 except with very heavy bullets. Was a little better in an Encore, but didn't have much of a range advantage over the .454, except with the 200 gr. bullet.
I passed. My .454 has done everything I've wanted out to 200. I just couldn't see where the .460 would fill any needs in my hunting that guns I have wouldn't already do. To each is own.