What is the groups opinion of the 460 vs. 500 S&W? I looked at both at the local Bass Pro and cannot decide if I want one. I have never shot a wheel gun other than a Ruger Single Six 22lr. I do not want to buy a gun that I cannot buy ammo for in a few years.

If you've never shot anything bigger than a .22 I'd say don't buy either of them,Cruise the pawn shops for a .357 and start out with .38 specials,shoot it and shoot it and then shoot some more.Then maybe the .460 with .45 Long Colts in it. On that note though,I love my 500S&W. For when it absolutely has to die right now.

The 460 & 500 are both cool. But, I'm with Scott it might be better to start out with something a little smaller and work your way up. A good 357 or 44 mag would also be alot cheaper to feed for the amount of practice you will be doing.

I agree!!! Jumping in with a big bore might not be the best. Unless you like unpleasant surprises. The 357 is a great cartrige, and easy on the wallet.

Lars

I have to agree 100% with the above posts.If you have no experience with a handgun large than a 22,you would be sooooo disapointed that you spent a large sum of cash for a weapon that would most likely be up for sale or become a safe queen after a few rounds.I do not mean to insinuate in any way that I am in any way a "tough guy" and you are not,I have worked my way up from a 22,to a 357 then became addicted to the bigbores.I now shoot a 375 JDJ,a 450 Marlin and a 500 S&W ,but I feel quite certain that if my first revolver had been a really big boomer it most likely would have been my last.Please let us know what you decide to do,whatever your decision is you have found a great site for info from good guys.There is another site you may look into for info and advice and that is SPECIALTY PISTOLS.You will find a large number of members of this site are also members of S.P. Good luck and good shooting.
Jim

Good advice given here. I have a .44 magnum and love it.

the .44 is a great caliber. I started magnum caliber shooting many years ago with a .357 Colt Python. Found the recoil impressive at the time, but you get used to it and then I moved on to .44 caliber and do my most shooting with two different .44 S&W currently (hunting and competition, respectively).

Would suggest that a .357 is a very good start, but would not recommend it for hunting though.

I agree with the majority here! I started with a .357 and at first it felt like it had a hard crackin' snap to it. After shooting and reloading for my .44, the .357 is much funner to shoot now! I feel that some of the heavier loads for the .44 are more than enough and plenty comfortable.

I'll answer your question and not give you advise on what to do.
Your question was concerning the price of ammo.
I think your experience with the 45-70 gov't in the contender qualitifies as shooting something big. Even though your wheel gun is small.
Both ammo is pricey as I own both, and its a toss up. Just pick the caliber that best shoots your hunting needs.

Bill

DeerDad, my handgunning began with a .22 for plinking and small game, then on to a T/C Encore 7mm08 for deer. The 7mm08 really helped my technique and coping with recoil and after I felt good with the single shot I moved on to the .460--my first large revolver. WOW! I almost took the damn thing back after the first shot because of the recoil and almost blowing my left index finger off! However, I started off with Corbon 395 gr. .460 rounds instead of working up to it. BAD MISTAKE. I dropped down to .454 rounds and the "regroup" was on. I learned how to hold the damn thing (my index finger is scarred but still affixed to left hand)and now shoot the "pussycat" Hornady 200 gr. SSTs which are mortal hell on large whitetails and great for target work. I highly recommend the .460--start with the .45 LC and move on up slowly and you won't be dissappointed. Just watch your finger!

DeerDad SAFTY FIRST!!!!!!
Go to range and talk and listen. Find someone to teach you safty, holding, shooting and care of fire arms. Nothing like on hand experience. As for as what gun, you really have to make that move. Everyone has their own taste. GOOD LUCK.

Work your way up...like most I started with the .22LR then to a .44 Mag and handled the recoil just fine. I am in the market for a new hunting revolver and am buying another .44 Mag...cheaper to shoot and will kill anything just as fast as the .460. Don't see the need for all that power if your shots are under 100 yards.

I am not new to big bore handguns just new to wheelguns. I have a 375JDJ, 44 mag, and 45-70 contender I hunt with. I just had the itch for a wheel gun. My friends mess with me and say my contender is a short rifle not a pistol. SO I want to buy a pistol. I tell them my Contender does not have a training wheel (get it). Like the traditional bow shooters tell a guy with a compound bow. When you grow up you can shoot a bow without trainging wheels.

Just my .02… but it would go with the 460.

The 460 is the more versatile and capable of taking anything on the planet.

DeerDad,
The .460 S&W is an excellent caliber. With light bullets (200gr) out of the standard production compensated S&W revolver, recoil is extremely managable and with a proper grip, you should have no problem with shooting this round. I own the PC 12" uncompensated .460 and shoot 240 and 300 gr bullets and the recoil still is not bad. Between the .460 and .500, unless you have plans to hunt dangerous African game(even so, the .460 is still capable with heavy bullets), the .460 is definately the way to go. Its is very accurate, flat shooting, powerful and versatile. And, if for some reason you find that the .460 loads are too abusive, you can always shoot the .454 Casull out of the same revolver.