Big revolver

[RIDE-RED 350r]

44mag definitely has a wide array of choices for components and usually very available and generally quite economical. I reload my ammo, and if I recall, I can make 44mags the equivalent of the "critical defense" type factory stuff for under $0.30 per round compared to the factory stuff that's north of $1 per round. It's a fantastic cartridge, I really enjoy both of my S&W 44mags.

[Andy Blozinski]

Unfortunately they're only available in .357 mag, but Rhinos are VERY comfortable to shoot. The barrel placement means they have no muzzle flip. It pushes straight back into your hand. I found the wood grips to be very comfortable.
[IMG][/IMG]

[damienph]

See if you can find a Dan Wesson .445 Supermag. It was claimed to be 25-35% more powerful than .44 magnum. You can also fire .44 Specials and .44 Magnums through it.

Every Dan Wesson revolver I've fired has been very accurate. I still have a blue 6" model 15VR that is one of the most accurate handguns that I own, noticeably more accurate than my S&W 686 and 66, neither of which is a slouch.

[ShootistPRS]

You reload so ammo will be less costly than factory rounds but there is always a lower limit on a given cartridge. I would choose the 454 C and that would allow me to shoot 45 colt mouse loads all the way up to full power 454. The Super Redhawk is a great gun and you can have a lot of fun shooting targets or plinking with it out in the country. If you get the Super Redhawk the other pistols you have are going to get lonely.

[DaleA]

Well if you want to forego the huge frame idea and come back to earth with a reasonable frame revolver you could go the Dan Wesson route and bulk up your purchase by getting one of the Dan Wesson Pistol Packs where you get the grips, the barrels and a cool case to hold 'em. Plus like damienph stated above the Dan Wesson revolvers were noted for their accuracy.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...=1508279192695

If you want the big frame then the BFR could be your choice if you like single action.

If double action is your choice then to heck with being reasonable and get one of the crew-served S&W X-frame guns...I'm particularly enamored of the .460 for its ability to shoot .45 Colt, .454 Casull and, of course, the S&W .460 Magnum.

[spawndn72]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. At this point I am leaning towards the S&W 460 for the shear versatility.

[Dufus]

If you are really wanting a big one there is the Magnum Research BFR in 45-70.

I know a person that has one, I have held it, but I have not shot it or witnessed it being shot.

[tallball]

I have a lot of revolvers. My very favorite is my 7.5" Ruger Super Blackhawk in 44 magnum. For me the recoil is less than that of a similar double-action revolver. It is smooth and accurate. I can shoot anything from mild 44 specials to crazy 44 magnum loads. And if you want big, it is a very large piece of steel.

[disseminator]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. At this point I am leaning towards the S&W 460 for the shear versatility.

Versatility is why I bought my 460 XVR. It's a really great shooting revolver and strong as all get out. Nice green fiber optic front sight and comes with a spare brass dot front sight if you like that better, I never thought of changing the Hi-Viz front sight, it's great.

45 Cowboy, 45 Schofield (depending on the brass), 45 Colt, 45 Colt RUGER ONLY loads, 454 Casull, 460 MAGNUM.

Not too many guns have such a wide range of different power levels to choose from. Some people will say why shoot the light loads but I say because you can.

460 is easy as cake to reload for and once you have the brass it's very inexpensive as well with a huge pool of different bullets that will meet any need you might have.

Love the 460, no regrets AT ALL. I have the XVR, but I wouldn't scoff at the BFR in 460 either.

[DaleA]

Those of you with the S&W .460...what barrel length do you have/recommend?

I suspect if you want to get the most out of the cartridge you really should get the 8 3/8 inch barrel but the 5 inch barrel looks like it would handle a lot better. Opinions?

Disclaimer: I do make fun of the crew-served X-frame revolvers but that's just for fun. An S&W .460 is somewhere on my bucket list.

[TruthTellers]

Originally Posted by DaleA

Those of you with the S&W .460...what barrel length do you have/recommend?

I suspect if you want to get the most out of the cartridge you really should get the 8 3/8 inch barrel but the 5 inch barrel looks like it would handle a lot better. Opinions?

Disclaimer: I do make fun of the crew-served X-frame revolvers but that's just for fun. An S&W .460 is somewhere on my bucket list.

Don't have a .460, but have been heavily thinking about getting one and have been doing research.

To give you my two cent piece on your question, I would say it greatly depends on what the intended use is. If it's a hunting revolver, 8 inch minimum. If it's big, dangerous game defense, I think the 5 inch is acceptable, but the 8 inch still better.

If the desire is to just have a .460 and never really shoot .460 from it, then a 5 inch is just fine. It would handle better and if loaded with some strong .45 Colt it'd be one heck of a home defense gun with little recoil.

I view the .460 as a modern .45-70 and think it is best in a 16 inch rifle. S&W makes 10 and 12 inch .460 revolvers and at that point I just say, "May as well buy a rifle instead." Probably would be half the price too.

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I have the 5" bbl 460V. I carry it in a Diamond D Guides Choice chest rig. Carries very nice in that.

My primary loading is a 240gr XTP Mag sitting atop a very near max load of H110. I had to back off from the published max just a little bit as I was getting sticky extraction.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I did some practicing with my 460 and those rounds. I was able to make about a 6" groups at 50 yards. I am using open sights, no scope or red dot here, just changed over to Meprolight 3-dot night sights. Those loads were running 1700fps through the chrono. Books say that load should be closer to 2000fps from the XVR with the 8-3/8"bbl. Obviously, my 460 is not getting the full potential of the cartridge with the shorter bbl, but it's still plenty enough of a hard hitter for what I do. I will say that with a revolver of this size, a good chest rig is by far the best way to carry it, even with the shorter 5" bbl like I have. It still has plenty of heft to it.

All in all, I really like mine. Kinda itching to add the XVR at some point though.

Here it is, and yes I fire it with those Altamont rosewoods on it too. It's not that bad, the biggest thing you get is that concussive slap to the face when the hammer falls.

[RIDE-RED 350r]

From the last range session

[Jbar4Ranch]

Originally Posted by spawndn72

... which big revolver with a big cartridge is the most comfortable to shoot. I know this is subjective, but I still want to hear your thoughts. I reload so I can load as mild or hot as I want.

Any of them. You can load a .500 mag with Unique and a cast bullet, and it's like shooting a .38 Special. A .480 Ruger with factory rounds is rather gentle, but can be loaded up to match .475 Linebaugh loads, if you're brave enough.

[THEWELSHM]

I have a 500 in 8 3/8" fantastic trigger.

Thewelshm

[Dano4734]

Ruger Toklat super redhawk 454 casull. After 200 rounds the recoil no longer bothers me. It's my 44 mag on steroids. Love the gun. I shoot 300 grain federal vital shok out of it. Going to try and bring down a deer this year

[disseminator]

I have the 460 XVR which is 8-3/8"

I have not shot a short barrel 460 though that 460 V looks sweet, I feel like the extra barrel length and weight is warranted with this cartridge.

If you compare ballistics between the 460 and the 45-70 revolvers, you will get better performance across the board with the 460 IME.

[Targa]

After 200 rounds the recoil no longer bothers me.

Is that because you go numb?...

[ruggyh]

For barrel length the 7.5" models have become my favorite for off handing shooting, with the 6.5" a close second. It should be noted the 8 3/8 barrel really only have an effective barrel length of 7.5 inches but is a little heavier in the front.

I also prefere the 7" BFR to the loner 10" model.

For scoped bench shooting I favor the 12" uncomped revolver or the uncomped 14" if you can find one.

I personally own all the barrel lengths 460 produced by S&W, both barrel length BFRs, several TC, and a rare CP1 in 460 as well as several different rifles.

If you get into big bores you need to handload.

Good luck what ever your selection, I would suggest fire as many before you decide- personally I don't think any of the choices from 480 Ruger to the 500 S&W are bad - each one is just different.

Be safe
Ruggy

[otasan]

Originally Posted by jumpingeezer

For a range gun, I would say that ANY S&W "N" frame with a barrel of at least 6" would be hard to beat.

Load them up from mild to wild and have a blast at the range. I shoot a 27 and 57 and I am still searching for that elusive model 25 at a reasonable price. One day I'll find it.

I agree. My 6-inch S&W 629 has been a great range gun. I have been shooting this gun in bowling-pin matches since 1993.

[spawndn72]

OK. So I think I am going to go with a BFR .460 with a 7 1/2" barrel.
I can use it for range fun and for hunting deer.
I did not start off thinking about something useful for hunting, but two birds with one big stone ain't a bad thing.

[Jbar4Ranch]

A very versatile choice.

.460
.454
.45 Colt
.45 Schofield
Cowboy .45 Special

[condor bravo]

Go with the s&w .460 that also fires the .45 Colt and .454 Cosell. Some who have bought the .500 s&w would have preferred the .460.

[TruthTellers]

Originally Posted by condor bravo

Go with the s&w .460 that also fires the .45 Colt and .454 Cosell.

LOL

"This is possibly the greatest misspelling in all of human history."



I'll leave the "little monkey" joke in my head.

But I don't disagree with you. I think if one wants to get a big bore revolver, a .45 is much cheaper to shoot than a .475, .480, or .500. Much easier and cheaper to get .45 bullets.

[condor bravo]

Sorry about that misspelling, should be casull. Should know better since I have that caliber in a lever action and use them in a .460. I guess I better check the labels I made, they might be misspelled ala Howard also.