460 S&W in 20" T/C for hunting

Bluelon2 · August 10, 2013, 07:48 AM

All of the load data I can find is for hand cannons in this caliber. Anyone done loading for rifles, specifically, what is the better bullets to use for full power hunting loads? I'm in MT and have deer and elk as likely targets. ( Maybe a moose someday.)
Any help is appreciated. I'll look through some older threads to see what I can find also.

Brian Pfleuger · August 10, 2013, 08:11 AM

The Lyman 49th has a ton of Encore data.

Its really no different though. Use rifle data for the same cartridge. The Encore can take full-power loads. Drop the max load 2 or 3% if it makes you feel better.

I have a 15" Encore Pro Hunter in 7mm-08. My main consideration is muzzle blast and rocket effect recoil. Light bullets and faster powders reduce both.

buck460XVR · August 10, 2013, 09:21 AM

Bullets used are the same one intended for use in the .460 and .454 Casull. The use of standard .45 caliber bullets intended for .45 Colt, while not dangerous to use in a single shot rifle(unlike a revolver) will have terrible terminal performance on medium to large game when used at legitimate .460 velocities. You will also find that recoil from your T/C will be brutal unless it is ported and even then, will be worse than from a S&W hunting type X-Frame Revolver using similar loads. My oldest son had a 20" .460 barrel for his T/C and loads comfortable in my X-Frame were too much in the T/C. While it was easy for me to find several accurate loads for my X-Frame, we never found a satisfactory load for his T/C. He ended up tradin' it for a 629.

August 10, 2013, 07:48 AM	#1
Bluelon2 Junior Member Join Date: August 2, 2013 Posts: 3	460 S&W in 20" T/C for hunting All of the load data I can find is for hand cannons in this caliber. Anyone done loading for rifles, specifically, what is the better bullets to use for full power hunting loads? I'm in MT and have deer and elk as likely targets. ( Maybe a moose someday.) Any help is appreciated. I'll look through some older threads to see what I can find also.

August 10, 2013, 08:11 AM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	The Lyman 49th has a ton of Encore data. Its really no different though. Use rifle data for the same cartridge. The Encore can take full-power loads. Drop the max load 2 or 3% if it makes you feel better. I have a 15" Encore Pro Hunter in 7mm-08. My main consideration is muzzle blast and rocket effect recoil. Light bullets and faster powders reduce both.

August 10, 2013, 09:21 AM	#3
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	Bullets used are the same one intended for use in the .460 and .454 Casull. The use of standard .45 caliber bullets intended for .45 Colt, while not dangerous to use in a single shot rifle(unlike a revolver) will have terrible terminal performance on medium to large game when used at legitimate .460 velocities. You will also find that recoil from your T/C will be brutal unless it is ported and even then, will be worse than from a S&W hunting type X-Frame Revolver using similar loads. My oldest son had a 20" .460 barrel for his T/C and loads comfortable in my X-Frame were too much in the T/C. While it was easy for me to find several accurate loads for my X-Frame, we never found a satisfactory load for his T/C. He ended up tradin' it for a 629.