Hello, I am new to this forum, and I do understand it is a handgun hunting forum. However, I am in hopes you guys might be able to help me out with several issues regarding a choice of the .460 S&W or the 445 Supermag.

I live in a state where rifles for deer hunting must fire a round with a case length no longer than 1.625" (Don't ask! I don't want go into a rant and have my head pop off again!) :)))) With that said, I am looking at the 445 Supermag in an Encore Rifle. The case length is fine, and I understand this is a great, accurate and powerful round that would allow me to go with a rifle, and also allow me to use it for black bear and Elk at modest ranges. It would also offer good flat trajectory in a 22" barrel. The cons are I have to have the barrel made custom, dies are expensive for this round, and there is only one brass manufacturer - Starline.

Now to the .460 S&W...I understand it is an awesome round also, that it is a magnumized version of the 454 Casull, it is accurate, and is a factory round, making dies alot less expensive, and barrels are produced by seversal manufacturers.
The Case length is too long however at 1.80". I am being told however, that I could shoot the 454 Casull out of this barrel and even trim the .460 case down to the legal limit I am forced to use. This concerns me though as the case will reduce the C.O.A.L and I wonder if will kill the accuracy since the barrel is chambered for the original parent round???? Also I am being told that I could use the same .460 dies on the shorter round? Just wondering which way to go, and what i would get in knockdown power, accuracy, and effective range with a shortened version?

Any imput? Thanks guys, I look forward to your advice/answers!

Mauser

Welcome to the board!

If I were you Id just get the barrel in .454 Casull, that way you wouldnt be losing the accuracy youre worrying about. The .454 is plenty powerful enough for any deer, elk or black bear. And also is a very accurate round out of a revolver and Im sure is quite a bit more accurate out of a closed breech action. Plus if you were to ever to want the .460 you could have the barrel rechambered.

just my .02

I like the 445 SMAG as it is Contender friendly. Once you get past the original cost of the dies (they will last a lifetime) the rest is gravy, and there are a lot of .430 cal bullets to choose from. It is also very flexible to load from mild to wild. You can find used barrels, or can have made for just a bit over factory money.

If cost of dies and a barrel are the big issue, why not go with the 500 S&W. The dies cost no more than the 460 and barrels are widely available (Encore). The only drawback is the cost of the .500 bullets which are about double the .430 and .452. Advantage is factory loads are available in a pinch and the 1.625" length fits without modification.

The 454 is a fairly potent round from a long barrel as well, and would serve out to 150 yards or more. Or the 475 Linebaugh, too. There are lost of options.

Welcome to the forum Mauser. I would tell you that there are lots of guys here willing to share extensive information, but I see you have already met revolver and s4s4u. Enjoy the site.
DDawg

I'd say either the 445 or 454, you'll gain a little on the energy with the 454 so that would be my choice, plus if you happen to need it you can find 454 factory ammo pretty readily anymore.

Yep....what he said!!

Well if you reload. 44 and 45 caliber bullets are cheaper on the average that the 50 calibers. Brass for the 445 is obtainable for the Starline brand .454 through Hornady, Magtech, Starline, Speer,& Winchester. 460 through Hornady,starline. 500 through Hornady, Starline,Magtech. There is also the 480 and 475 linbaugh that was mentioned. a plus for the 445 is you can shoot 44 special & 44 mag though most manufactures don't recommend it due to ringing the chamber. the 454 can shoot the 45 colt which is no problem.

Welcom to the board....and this is also my .02...KRal

You can use regular 44 mag dies for the 445 S.M., just need to adjust them accordingly. Ditto for the 460 S&W and using 454 Casull, or for that matter 45 Long Colt, dies. I have and loaded for all of the above in revolvers and T/C Contender / Encore with great results. In the 445 SM you can fire 44 Russian, 44 Spl., 44 Mag, and 445 SM. In the 460 S&W you can fire 45 Long Colt, 454 Casull, and 460 S&W. Accuracy in the above runs from good to excellent, even with the "shorter" rounds, with some minor tweaking. The advantage with the 460 S&W is the availability of excellent factory ammo in all calibers.

I would recommend getting a .454 Casull barrel.

First of all welcome to HH Mauser 6818!!

As started the 445 can be loaded with regular 44 mag dies. I have been loading the 445 with Redding 44 mag dies for years now. The 44 caliber has a great selection of bullets.

In a long barrel for a rifle I don't think you will see a huge advantage with the 460 over the 454. One other thing to think about with the 460 barrel and shooting 454 in it might not be a good idea. The game warden might not belive you that all you have is 454 ammo in the field. The barrel is capable of shooting 460 ammo and it's too long to meet regulations. Could be asking for trouble you don't need.

Kind of like having a shotgun with out the plug in the mag tube and telling the game warden you only load 3 shells in the tube. It aint going to fly.

Thank you all for the welcomes and the great advice/recommendations! Gives me a lot to think about. Maybe I should just by three different guns...they do need to be purchased in trios ...don't they??

Anyway, it sounds like they all have the goods to be very versatile as well as accurate, and able to provide great effective hunting range.

You are a quick study around here, 3 guns are better than one. LOL<LOL<LOL

I have all the cartridges mentioned above. LOLO<LOL<LOL

I read that case length thing twice! Just plane !@#$%^&*( stupid. That said. Go w/the 445. It's got more interesting history behind it & your not likely to run into another using it. Thats the best part. The 460 will be like a Corvette. We all know it's fast & cool. But, every one will have one.

That's funny right there!! LOL<LOL The saying in these parts is "JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSES CAMARO" LOL<LOL

Yes we call them "Me too" cars. I guess it could apply to anything. I may buy a 460 someday when all the excitement dies off. It took me years to finally buy a FA mod 83. But, now I love it. I once passed up a steal on an early model stainless 416 Super Mag. Boy I wish I had it now. I've never run into one again.

Correction: 414 Super Mag