What can one expect outa a .445 Super Mag 15" Encore barrel in the way of FPS with 240 grain bullets. How does this compare with a .460 S&W in recoil
Thanks..................buck

I had the use of a 12" Encore 445 Super Mag barrel. I was getting 2,000 fps with the 240gr pills and a middle of the road load of H110. The extra 3" of barrel and a stout load should give you more velocity.

The barrel had a break and recoil was not too bad. Without the break it was quite harsh on the hand. Recoil was straight back and snappy.

Pushed to the same pressure, I wonder how the .445 compares to the .460. BC should be higher in same weight bullets

I have a 460 S & W 15" unported Encore , and I have shot a 445 Supermag 14" ported Contender. Due to the light weight of the Contender, I would say recoil is comparable.

I also have shot the S & W 500 Magnum with a ported 10" barrel. I don't remember that being too bad either.

Not that I am looking for anything bigger to shoot, but none of the guns above have recoil that is too hard to handle.

I have two freinds with 445 Supermags. I know the one friend was getting about 2,100 fps with 210 grain bullet out of a 12 inch non ported Contender barrel.

I routinely shoot 240 grains bullets at 2,100 in my 460 S & W Encore, and have shot 200 grain factory Hornady load at 2,800 fps.

My one friend with the 445 Supermag states that the 460 S & W is definitely a step up on the 445 Supermag. His bottom line was that he had a Contender frame and got the 445 Supermag. The 460 S & W is only available in the Encore.

At the ranges I shoot hunting in the woods of PA, either one will get the job dead. Anything more is, "How dead does it need to be?"

I don't knows I'd push the 445 much past regular 44 pressures. It was designed to work at or just a litle more than the 44. One of the few sources for pressure data is the Accurate reloading guide. The highest pressure they have is 43,300 CUP with a 300gr Sierra JSP.

John Taffin did alot of work with the 445. here is a link to an article he penned;

The Super Mags by Taffin

I still think we are comparing apples and oranges here. Max pressure for the 445 Supermag, per Tigger, puts its at 43,300 PSI. The 460 S & W max pressure is 65,000 PSI.

I failed to mention that my handloads for the 460 S & W, 240 grain bullet at 2,100 FPS, is a starting load in the Hornady Manual.

To try to get the 445 Supermag to achieve 460 S & W ballistics is out right dangerous.

Another factor to consider maybe, available brass for the 445. My 460 barrel came magna-ported, it isn't bad at all to shoot. But we all like different things for different reasons.

Starline still makes brass for the 445 Supermag.

With either caliber, its becomes a reloading situtation. More so for .445 Supermag.