Author Topic: 460 Smith and Wesson, how's it doing? (Read 3466 times)

spaaz · « **on:** September 24, 2007, 02:58:11 AM »

Hi Guy's,

How is the 460 Smith and Wesson Encore Barrel (15 inch) doing as far as being accurate these days ?

I know TC was having a little problem with it at first, but have not heard much lately about it........

Does anyone have one and how accurate is it...........What is a good reload for it.........

Keith L · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2007, 03:09:55 AM »

I don't have an Encore so I can't help you on specifics for this barrel. I have never heard that there was any particular problem with the 460 Smith barrel, but it doesn't take much to find an "expert" sharing a negative opinion about anything. And if one barrel manages to leave the factory with a problem suddenly it becomes an epidemic.

This is the right place to come for information about TC handguns, so I am sure someone can give you the info you need.

irold · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2007, 02:11:38 PM »

I'm no expert....however I had some major problems with my 15" T/C 460 barrel. It would not group any smaller than 3-4 inches at 25 yards. That put it " not on paper " at 100 yds. I sent it back to them , they sent it back saying it would group 1 1/2 at 100 yds with Corbon ammo....I didn't believe them. I spent a lot of money on ammo, mounts, scopes....and massive amounts of time....it would not group for me. After some urging by a friend, I sent it back to T/C ...with an attention to a particular individual that Fox Ridge gave to me....after sending it in a second time, I got a new barrel with an apoligy note . After seeing that this barrel appeared to shot, I sent it in Fox Ridge, they shortened to 12 " and added their "muzzle tamer " to it. Now I got something ! I have never got around to actually shooting it at 100 for accuracy, my scope started sliding in the mounts...haven't fixed that yet. Now I'm shooting a 357 Max, much nicer to shot....and deadly at 100 yds ! Only my nonexpert story !

Grumulkin · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2007, 11:54:03 PM »

Well, T/C DID have accuracy problems with the 460 S&W Magnum. When I was going to order one from Fox Ridge Outfitters, they said if I was going to handload the accuracy should be OK but it didn't do too well with factory ammo. It took several months before they considered their 460 S&W barrels ready for distribution.

I think part of the problem is the bullets available for it. After trying bunches of different ones, I've found Hornady 250 gr. SST muzzle loader bullets over Alliant 2400 powder to be the only ones that have given me what I consider usable 100 yard hunting accuracy (2 to 2.5 inches). The accuracy with some other bullets was measured in feet. I'm still not satisfied with the accuracy I'm getting; I would really like 1 to 1.5 inches at 100 yards.

Another consideration is the scope and the mounting thereof which was part of my accuracy problem (in fact I should recheck some of the loads I tried before). If you put a cheap scope and/or mount of one of these it's gonna break. For my heavy recoiling handguns, I've gone to the SSK Industries 6 screw 4 ring T'SOB mounts with Leupold 2.5 to 8X handgun scopes; thus far, I haven't been able to break this combo.

irold · « **Reply #4 on:** September 26, 2007, 03:57:59 AM »

Grum, I've heard of some people using the muzzle loader bullets in the 460.......I was under the impression they wouldn't be thick enough in the base....I've been using 240 XTP Mag over 296....its acceptable for deer hunting. The factory 200 Horn, it sprayed all over the paper, looked like a shotgun pattern. The 250 muzzle loader bullets , I assume they're more reasonable as far as price goes ? I'm not a muzzle loader hunter, I've never looked at them. In regards to the accuracy of T/C's barrel ( in 460 smith ), Fox Ridge told me they had a bunch of bad reamers....a lot of barrels slipped through that shouldn't have. They probably should have done a recall ! Good info, Thanks Mike

spaaz · « **Reply #5 on:** September 26, 2007, 04:58:07 AM »

Thanks for the help guys.........Everything you are telling me is an echo of what TC and Fox Ridge told me.

They told me about the CorBon ammo, but I have not been able to find anyone to sells the reloading components for CorBon....

The 460 sounds like more trouble than they are worth.......I think I will just go with the old reliable(s) like 25-06, 7mm-08, etc....

Thanks again for you help and thanks to Graybeard for the GREAT wed site.............

irold · « **Reply #6 on:** September 26, 2007, 05:10:22 AM »

Spaaz , Depending on what critter your going after, the 7mm 08 would be a excellent choice . Not as much recoil as many of the " rifle " calibers, extermaly accurate out to 100- 150 yds. Lots of reloading components if you reload....If not they're on the shelf almost everywhere. Good luck

superdown · « **Reply #7 on:** September 26, 2007, 10:37:01 AM »

irold is right but i would go one further and choose the 308 .Their is not any noticeable difference in muzzle blast or recoil between the 7mm-08 and 308win but their is about ten times more factory loadings for the 308 then the 7mm-08 if you hunt in really remote areas as i do thats always a plus i have been in to many little "towns" that only had 308 30-30 30-06 22lr if that. you get my meaning. If you reload or have a backup in a really common chambering then i guess your all set . superdown

Grumulkin · « **Reply #8 on:** September 26, 2007, 02:11:27 PM »

I've had no trouble with the muzzle loader bullets. I also tried the 250 gr. & 300 gr. Hornady XTPs and the muzzle loader bullets do better.

I have found the 460 S&W Mag. a bit of trouble but a challenge as well. For handgun hunting in Ohio, a straight walled cartridge is required otherwise I would go with a 7mm/08 which is quite accurate (3 shot groups of an inch or less at 100 yds.) and without a lot of trouble using Varget and Hornady 139 gr. BTSP Interlocks.

irold · « **Reply #9 on:** September 26, 2007, 03:34:45 PM »

Thanks, Grum , I'll have to try them. Any other details on the bullets ? Just a 250 SST Horn muzzle loader bullet ? One more question, what rings are you using on your 6 screw ? They SSK also ? Thanks , Mike

Grumulkin · « **Reply #10 on:** September 27, 2007, 01:20:26 AM »

Yes, the rings are also SSK. The bullets are just the pointy Hornady SST muzzle loader bullets. They look suspiciously like the pointy bullets they load the Hornady 460 S&W cartridges with. You can only get them in packs of 25 with the plastic sabots; I have a LOT of plastic sabots.

454-hunter · « **Reply #11 on:** October 18, 2007, 01:32:58 PM »

I just got a 460 tc encore now I am scared that I may or may not have got A bad barrel . How do you find out . I s there some kind of month cut off that they quit shipping out the bad barrels?
somebody help me out now I shot mine from 25 yrds and it did good I thought open sights only no scope about 3 inches some 4 inches so just would like some info .

Stan

irold · « **Reply #12 on:** October 18, 2007, 02:37:48 PM »

454, Not sure if I can help or not.....first I have to understand what your asking ? I think you said , your getting 3-4 inch groups at 25 yards ?? and that's with open sights ? Don' mean to burst your bubble, but that's really not very good, even off hand you should do that good or better. The bad barrel from T/C that I had was giving me 3-4 inch groups at 25 yds with a scope....at 50 yds thaey opened to 6 inch and at 100 , most of the time I couldn't hit the paper ( 12 X12 ). that was all off of bags. Also look at your brass, any bulges or does it appear deformed......mine was. T/C did finally make it right, just be persistent ! Good luck

Grumulkin · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2007, 02:03:00 AM »

I got one of the first Custom Shop barrels that T/C put out and the quality was fine. It did take awhile though for me to find a load that was good beyond 50 yards. The problems I encountered were lack of adequate bullets (accuracy was good at 50 yards but quite poor at 100 yards), lack of adequate reloading information (it didn't do well with the powders for which published information was available at the time), broken scopes (you're wasting your time if you put an inferior scope on it) and loosening scope mounts (I now recommend the SSK Industries T'SOB mount).

As the above 200 yard 1.5 inch group shows, I believe my accuracy problems have been solved. I got my starting load of 2400 from the Speer manual. By comparing different cartridges, bullet weights, etc. that are used with this powder, I determined that the loads in the Speer manual were conservative. I believe my load to be safe in my gun but it's not conservative.

jamie · « **Reply #14 on:** October 21, 2007, 03:08:52 AM »

Quote from: 454-hunter on October 18, 2007, 01:32:58 PM

I just got a 460 tc encore now I am scared that I may or may not have got A bad barrel . How do you find out . I s there some kind of month cut off that they quit shipping out the bad barrels?
somebody help me out now I shot mine from 25 yrds and it did good I thought open sights only no scope about 3 inches some 4 inches so just would like some info .

Stan

Stan, before we get into if the barrel is bad or not, I got a couple questions to help narrow things down. Are you used to shooting heavy recoiling handguns? We are talking 44 Mag and up. And are you used to shooting Encores? If you are new to either of these (especially the first one) then your barrel may be fine and you might just need some range time. If you have been at it a while then it may be your barrel.

Jamie

poncaguy · « **Reply #15 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:50:58 PM »

I have an early Foxridge 460 barrel, good accuracy , even with 454 Casull and 45 Long Colt rounds...............

kizzer · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2007, 11:27:48 AM »

You're about choosing the right scope. I put a Bushnell Trophy scope on my 460. It started out decent enough, but after having shot about 40 rounds of handloads, I can't get any consistency with it anymore. Looks like I'll have to pop for a "real" scope. I have Warne rings on my 460, and they seem to work fine

kennisondan · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2007, 04:52:51 PM »

suppose I get a used barrel and it is a dog.. what is there to do.. I have a 460 with a compensator coming and now have a little case of cold feet.. I am dissapointed that others are struggling to find an accurae bullet and resort to 25 pks of muzzleloader bullets..
on the bad ones waht is the problem ; is it fixable... if not then I guess i would be wrong to pass it on to another... ? I have not gotten it yet but now I wonder about it... I would not want an unfixable problem and would not want to stick another gunner....
Any thoughts on this ?
dk

Keith L · « **Reply #18 on:** October 22, 2007, 09:43:50 PM »

I have never seen a problem that TC wouldn't make right. Assuming that your barrel and compensator are factory, if you get a barrel that won't shoot and you can't make it right send it back to TC. If they can't make it work to their specs then they will repair or replace it. Even used ones. If it is another manufacturer's compensator you are on your own. Give it a good try before giving up.

Grumulkin · « **Reply #19 on:** October 23, 2007, 12:12:07 AM »

Quote

I put a Bushnell Trophy scope on my 460.

I broke one of these on mine as well. I sent it in for warranty service. Bushnell said it had been "abused" and wanted to sell me another one; no thanks.

Quote

suppose I get a used barrel and it is a dog.. what is there to do.. I have a 460 with a compensator coming and now have a little case of cold feet.. I am dissapointed that others are struggling to find an accurae bullet and resort to 25 pks of muzzleloader bullets.

Take a couple of deep breaths and relax. I've bought quite a number of used barrels a couple of which T/C had to fix (at no charge I might add). After at least 30 barrels, I haven't gotten a dog yet.

Furthermore, what is the big burden of using muzzle loader bullets??? If you check the price, it's comparable to what you would pay for other bullets though throwing away all those plastic sabots does bother me a bit. I think Hornady is playing a game here. They sell 460 S&W ammo loaded with pointy bullets but don't sell the bullets to handloaders. Actually, I suspect they use the muzzle loader bullets in their ammo as well though I have no proof of this.

kennisondan · « **Reply #20 on:** October 23, 2007, 08:23:14 AM »

Thanks Sir I feel a bit better.. should not worry in advance, I guess...LOL
going buy me some ML bullets....
dk

Tom W. · « **Reply #21 on:** October 28, 2007, 09:30:21 AM »

If you're really worried, just send the barrel to me and I'll take good care of it for you!

kennisondan · « **Reply #22 on:** October 28, 2007, 01:47:40 PM »

tom : you might break the little thing... I will have to build it up first... it is not ready for a real handgunner... it is young yet...
dk

454-hunter · « **Reply #23 on:** December 07, 2007, 05:08:48 PM »

I had forgotten where I had posted so I will answer . I have since determined that I was going to get excellent accuaracy . I too was using corbon ammo It stunk was the worst ammo I have ever seen even after geting a scope could not get consistent performance from that junk.. I bought some cast performance 300lfngc. and loaded it up with 28.5H110(454 round) and now I am shooting first time with it since getting a good load figured out for it and tested of course. It is now shooting 1.5 at 50 yards and I beleive it will get much better . also yes I have been shooting big bores for 7yrs. I have owned and shot in progression 357,45,44mag,454,and now 460. I still dont like the way that 460 hits me in the hand I think I might get some denzil roberts grips.
thanks you guys for the info and support guys. It was a pure ammo problem. OH And by the way yes I was shooting off hand.
454-hunter (stan)

joshua 35 whelen · « **Reply #24 on:** April 17, 2010, 05:51:23 PM »

I just bought a T/C Encore with 24 inch Fox Ridge Custom Barrel with the Hangar system installed, custom stock, pins, springs, etc. Are there any problems with these barrels? I also bought a swarovski rail mount scope and a case of HSM 300grn XTP ammo which says its doing 2,000fps. I don't know what length of barrel they used but sounds good.

mbk · « **Reply #25 on:** April 18, 2010, 10:17:51 AM »

Just curious, has anyone used Hornady's flex tip bullets in the 460? I see Midway is selling them now.
I just traded into a 15"" Encore barrel and was trying to decide what to load up for a test when I saw this thread.

Hornady LEVERevolution Bullets 460 S&W (452 Diameter) 200 Grain Flex Tip eXpanding Box of 50 Product #: 199044| Manufacturer #: 45215 Our Price: $23.99

Hornady LEVERevolution Bullets 450 Bushmaster (452 Diameter) 250 Grain Flex Tip eXpanding Box of 50
Product #: 693974| Manufacturer #: 45201 Our Price: $26.99

Mike

paochow · « **Reply #26 on:** May 26, 2010, 05:54:55 PM »

I've used the 460 200gr Hornady's in my S&W 10.5" and they are very accurate. Fast too, cuts a smooth hole through a paper target, rather than the ragged hole that my other pistols do at 25 yds.

lastchanc54 · « **Reply #27 on:** September 25, 2010, 07:17:17 AM »

I use the 250 flex tip in my 460 and at 50 yards, it cuts one hole groups! You can hit a dime at 50 yards but you may never find it again. Great bullets. I keep 100 of them loaded at all times. I am shooting a 15 inch barrel with a 2 X Weaver, factory rubber grips, Weaver three ring scope mounts and handloading with H4227.