.44mag and .460

[ronk]

I have a .357 and thinking about moving up to a bigger cal. S&W says that the .460 can be shoot from 0-250 yds with no holdover. How do'es this compare with a .44mag? I would like to hunt deer with a handgun,but alot of my shoots would at 200 yds. What would be the difference between the .44 and .460?

[Lloyd Smale]

a revolver aint no tool for 200 yard hunting anyway. To me thats pushing the limit even with a tc contendor and a scope. Handgun hunting to me is an up close and personal business and a 100 yard max proposition and out to 100 yards a 44 mag is hard to beat on dear. Ammo is alot cheaper if your not reloading and even if you are components are cheaper which means you will practice more and if you dont reload the price differnce between the smith and say a super blackhawk will buy you everything you need and some primmers and powder to boot.

[Grumulkin]

I have 3 44 Magnums and intend to have a 460 S&W by the next deer gun season.  Ohio limits one to the use of muzzle loaders, shotguns or handguns firing straight wall cartridges and I also have potential 250 yard shots.  The 44 Magnum isn't good for 250 yards and the 460 S&W should be.

As far as the ethical range issue is concerned, if you can only keep your shots in 4 inches off the bench at 100 yards, hitting a deer off hand at 250 yards would be a real gamble.  If you have a 1½ MOA handgun and have an excellent rest, then taking a deer at 250 yards with a 460 S&W should be doable.  I limit my off hand handgun shots to about 50 yards.

[Redhawk1]

ronk, I own several 44 Mags and 2 of the 460 Mags. The 44 Mag will not come close to the
performance of the 460 Mag. I am not taking anything away from the 44 Mag, I think it is a great round, but a 250 yards gun it is not.

Now lets take a look at the 460 Mag, other than those that have opinions that think the 460 Mag or for the matter any handgun not being a long range hunter, they are speaking for themselves.  I have done a lot of 150 yards shooting with my 460 Mag and find it very accurate and I can consistently hit a 4 inch clay target at 150 yards. Now handgun hunting at longer ranges is not for off hand shoot, but with a good rest or shooting sticks the shots are very doable. I don't think long range hand gun hunting is unethical what so ever as long as you the hunter do your part and practice at the ranges you intend to shoot. Long range handgun hunting is not for everyone and you are going to hear a lot of nay sayers give the opinions and that is just what they are "there opinions", just don't listen to them if you want to pursue long range handgun hunting.  

[Questor]

The 460 has the trajectory to be a 200+ yard gun. Your marksmanship is another matter. Plan on practicing a lot from field positions and from good rests to get good enough. If you can get good enough, the gun will probably do well for deer. I assume you plan on using a scope.

The 44 magnum is worthless as a hunting tool much beyond 100 yards because the trajectory becomes an issue.

[Heavy C]

I agree with what Redhawk1 said.  Even though I own a couple of 44 mag.'s I'm looking to get a barrel for my Encore in the 460.  Where I hunt in Texas I have not been presented with an opportunity to take a deer at 100 yards or less.  All of my shots have been at 120+.  So, my 44 mags have been designated hog guns and the 460 will be my deer gun.  If anything that logic worked with the wife.  

Beyond that, practice, practice, practice!  Definitely employ the use of a good rest or shooting sticks.  As far as cost goes - it comes with the territory.  Our sport is not known for being economical.

Good luck.

[slave]

I have a SSK 15" 460 for my Encore. When sighting it in I used the stock and the aid of a bench rest. I do not know about 250yds but is easly a 200yd gun. At 100 yds a 5 shot group is just one large hole.

The mass of a 15" scoped Encore with a low crisp pull makes 150yds shots possible for me with the aid of my walking stick. At 150yds the 460 has maintained the engery that the 44 has at point blank.

I have spent years hunting with a bow. I have listened to every statement that can be made about max range. I have come to the conclusion that I live with my mistakes when I make them so I shot only when the confidence level I need is met. I may pass on a 30yd shot if I have any doubt or my gut says no. But if all is right and I know the game will not present me with a better shot I would not think twice about a 150yd shot on a whitetail with my 460. Maybe next year I will be able to extend this range or possible work will prevent me form shoting enough to be confident at 150.

[ronk]

Thanks for all the  replies.I got a Colt Trooper mk 3 , shoot some .38 cal in it and didn't use it for 18 yrs. This fall I started too shoot it again and I'm hooked. I would like to start handgun hunting . I grew up in Pa were deer hunting is less than 100 yds. , but for 33 yrs. I've lived in Idaho were it's 150yds  plus. That's why I was asking about the difference. Anyway this Sat. I was in the gun dept in local store and asked if they sold the .460. They had one left and I got it. It sold for $779.92,is this a good price? For 150-200 yds.  do I need a scope with adjustable parallax?

[Redhawk1]

Thanks for all the  replies.I got a Colt Trooper mk 3 , shoot some .38 cal in it and didn't use it for 18 yrs. This fall I started too shoot it again and I'm hooked. I would like to start handgun hunting . I grew up in Pa were deer hunting is less than 100 yds. , but for 33 yrs. I've lived in Idaho were it's 150yds  plus. That's why I was asking about the difference. Anyway this Sat. I was in the gun dept in local store and asked if they sold the .460. They had one left and I got it. It sold for $779.92,is this a good price? For 150-200 yds.  do I need a scope with adjustable parallax?

The price is right for the standard 8 5/8 inch barrel, not the PC model. The PC models are a lot more. For the longer range shooting I recommend a good variable scope. I have a Bushnell 2X6X32mm on one of my S&W 460 Mags, that I use for longer range shooting 100 to 200 yards and on my second S&W 460 Mag, I have a Match-dot from Ultra-dot for my short range shooting 0 to 100 yards.