Hello all. I am new to this forum, and need some help. I am selling a .460 smith and wesson simply because it is WAY overkill for anything here in Texas. I used it in Colorado to hunt elk, but now that I have moved here, it is to much gun for the size of game here. I want to hunt deer, hogs, and coyotes out to a hundred yards.

Now I know this is going to bring a LOT of responses, but that is why I am going to ask this -- What caliber would you recommend for this, and why? And, if you want to take it a step farther, what handgun would you recommend? I have a budget of about $500.

Thank you for any thoughts and ideas!!!

.44 mag or .45 Colt will fulfill your needs handily. They can both be loaded mild to wild, and they make for a much more compact package than the .460. JMHO.

In a revolver a 44 is hard to beat for what you want to do.

Hello Raptortrapper and welcome to the sight.

I have bought more than one complete TC rig for 500-550(scopes included.) In the Encore I would look at the 308 if you are not going to reload. If you are a reloader I would throw the 7mm-08 in the mix. Lots of short gun reloading data for both. I like the 308 case platform just because it is, to me, more manageable that the 30-06 platform. In the Contender and under 100 yards the 375 Win or 44 Mag would be awesome, and plenty of factory ammo. The 30-30 (Win or AI) will hold its own, particularly with a 14in barrel. The 7-30 Waters is a great round, but it almost takes a reloader to see its full potential IMHO.

Any of the above will cleanly take a deer or decent size pig cleanly if you do your part. I am not worried about the coyote variable because I don’t think the dog will know the difference. I am partial to TC’s but that is just my cup of tea. I know I listed quite a few cartridges. One of the reasons I listed the calibers I did is because they are fairly popular and you will have better luck finding them used.

raptor,

I'm with the .44 Magnum crowd, but I'm COMPLETELY biased!

I've thumped some big New Hampshire whitetails with a .44 loaded with 270 and 300 grain bullets.
Like TC, I'm also a big fan of the .308 cartridge and it's offspring the 7mm-08 (.308 necked down to 7mm). In an Encore platform I don't think either of those two cartridges has an equal in versatility, with a slight nod toward the 7mm-08 for lighter recoil. But then again, the .308 IS my favorite deer rifle cartridge. Hmmmm...let me think about that.
Cripes TC - now look what you've gone and done to me! Decisions, Decisions!

Renster

A .358 Winchester would also fit that bill nicely.

The newer .30 TC might be worth a look as well.

In a revolver I'd go with the 44 or the 45 Colt if you reload. In a Contender there are way too many good options to list but the 44 and 45 are there as well as the 7-30,30-30 and on up to the 45-70. The Encore will get you anything you want, if the factory doesn't make it someone else does.

These guys are right on the money 44mag/45lc either are capable and more than enough to do the jobs you specified.

I shoot the 480Ruger with 325gr wadcutter and 24gr of powder.This works for my coyotes out to 50 yards. I use iron sights.7.5 inch barrel.I reload or I use my 10mm.

Keep your 460. mag and if you handload go lighter. I have also had success using .454 Casull rounds and super hot 45 colt rounds. Remember you gun will shoot all 3 rounds. The bullet width is the same the case just get progressively shorter.

The .460 is actually pretty fun to shoot with hot 45 colt loads because of its weight. With regular 45 loads it's like a plinker.