trading in my 460, for what ??

[brushunter]

I'm kicking around the idea of trading in my 460 Mag barrel for something that I can afford to shoot.  Though, thats not the only reason, it just won't group. (T/C tells me it will do better with Corbon, haven't tried that yet. just can't overcome the thought of 3 bucks a pop)   I don't consider 6-8 inches at 50 yards grouping.  Now for the 100 Dollar question...what do I replace it with.  I kinda like the shorter 12 " barrels.  I have a 44 mag, like it...was hoping to get a bit more whallop.  Kinda wanted to stay with a straight walled pistol case...454, maybe 480,  Pretty much have to stay with non-custom stuff, on a pretty tight budget. Anybody know the difference in FPS and energy between a 454 wheel gun and the closed breech of the encore ?  I'd think the encore would have a big advantage.  Maybe someone has a suggestion, thanks.............

[swampthing]

 Your 12" .44mag barrel doesn't provide enough whoomp? Says who, or what? A 325g LBT LFN hardcast @1600fps will cleanly harvest and thouroughly penetrate any game animal on this continent with ease. This length barrel and some H110 will do this with no muss, no fuss, and no strain, not counting your wrist of course. If you don't reload, federal has a premium "Cast Core Performance" load. It is "only" a 300g at 1375fps or so, but is more than adequate for Elk and the like inside a 125yds or so. It is the larger meplat, .340", WFN bullet, as aposed to the LFN's .300" meplat diameter, so it's shocking power is not at all sacrificed.
 My last years wild boar hunt, using lowly 280g WFN's @ 1275 fps, with friends was a success. All game died within sight of the shooter and there were no recovered bullets.
  .44mag reloading and buying is the cheapest compared to any .480, .454, .460, and performance is not sacrificed at all, especially in a closed breech gun.
 If you want a flat shooting gun the .44mag using 300g LFN's, BC is about .245, @ 1700 or so will allow you to reach out and touch something with more than enough slap to penetrate an moose
 If you don't reload I would sell the .460 barrel and get a RCBS kit.
 My hunting loads are about .25 cents a piece. Federal Premiums are about a dollar a shot.
Bang!         

[poncaguy]

I shoot 454's and 45 Colts in my 460....................

[brushunter]

You have some valid points " swampthing" , guess I was just looking for an excuse to rid myself of the 460, I've gone through so much money in ammo trying to get things right with it.  Matter of fact, I do have a RCBS press, though I do not have any dies for the 44........haven't reloaded much in the past 10 -12 years.  Maybe I should get a new manual and start again.  I still might take a close look at the 454 barrel..........thanks...I'm just a little bullheaded.........

[slave]

I have a 15" SSK on my Encore and it can shot 1" @ 100yds all day with 200gr hornaday @ $20.00 per box.

The only vice Ican find is the round is a bit much for most of my needs.

[rickyp]

before you sell the barrel why not try and reload for it and see if you can find a load it likes and it will save you quite a bit of $$$$

[EdK]

What rickyp said: reload for it!

Procedures have not changed in 10-12 years so your old manual is good enough for that purpose. The powder manufacturers usually post recipes on line now - just cross check a couple from different sources so you don't get bitten by a typo. You must have saved 460 brass by now. Just go buy a set of dies a box of bullets and go for it. 

[Redhawk1]

I have to agree with rickyp, my 460 Encore barrel shot well with reloads. 240, 260 and 300 gr. bullets worked great.