.460 S&W Magnum

.460 S&W Magnum

Left to right: .460 S&W Magnum, .454 Casull, .44 Magnum, .45 ACP, .22LR
Type Handgun
Place of origin United States
Production history
Designer Hornady / Smith & Wesson
Designed 2005
Produced 2005-present
Specifications
Parent case .454 Casull
Case type Rimmed, straight
Bullet diameter .452 in (11.5 mm)
Neck diameter .478 in (12.1 mm)
Base diameter .478 in (12.1 mm)
Rim diameter .520 in (13.2 mm)
Rim thickness .059 in (1.5 mm)
Case length 1.80 in (46 mm)
Overall length 2.290 in (58.2 mm)
Primer type Large rifle magnum
Maximum pressure 65,000 psi (450 MPa)
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy
200 gr (13 g) Corbon DPX 2,300 ft/s (700 m/s) 2,350 ft·lbf (3,190 J)
275 gr (18 g) Corbon DPX 1,825 ft/s (556 m/s) 2,034 ft·lbf (2,758 J)
300 gr (19 g) Jacketed Flat Nose 2,060 ft/s (630 m/s) 2,826 ft·lbf (3,832 J)
360 gr (23 g) Lead Long Flat Nose 1,900 ft/s (580 m/s) 2,885 ft·lbf (3,912 J)
395 gr (26 g) Hard Cast 1,525 ft/s (465 m/s) 2,040 ft·lbf (2,770 J)
Test barrel length: 8.375 inches
Source(s): Corbon Ammo,[1] "Cartridges of the World",[2] Buffalo Bore[3]

The .460 S&W Magnum round is a powerful revolver cartridge designed for long-range handgun hunting in the Smith & Wesson Model 460 revolver.[2]

Overview

The .460 S&W round is a lengthened, more powerful version of the popular .454 Casull, itself a longer and more powerful version of the .45 Colt. Consequently, firearms that fire .460 S&W are usually capable of firing the less powerful .454 Casull, .45 Colt and .45 Schofield rounds, but this must be verified with each firearm's manufacturer. For instance, some lever-action firearms are designed to handle cartridges within a certain length and bullet profile range. The reverse, however, does not apply: .45 Schofield, .45 Colt and .454 Casull handguns generally cannot safely fire .460 S&W rounds—nor can they even chamber the .460 S&W because of the longer case length. The length of the .460 S&W was intended to fully use the overall length (2.30") of the S&W X frame cylinder thereby increasing its powder capacity.

The .460 cartridge achieves high velocities by operating at pressures normally reserved for magnum rifle cartridges.

Performance

Smith & Wesson says that the .460 S&W is the highest velocity revolver cartridge in the world, firing bullets at 2330 ft/s. With Buffalo Bore's new loading, the .460 S&W can achieve nearly 2900 ft-lb of energy by driving a 360 grain bullet at 1900 ft/s.[3] For comparison .500 S&W Magnum offers slightly more energy at the muzzle, driving a 350 grain bullet at 1975 ft/s for a total of 3031 ft-lb.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Corbon DPX - 460 S&W Magnum.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Barnes, Frank C. (2006) [1965]. Skinner, Stan, ed. Cartridges of the World (11th Edition ed.). Iola, WI, USA: Gun Digest Books. pp. 312, 338. ISBN 0-89689-297-2.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Buffalo Bore - 460 S&W Magnum". Archived from the original on 2009-07-20. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  4. ↑ Double Tap Ammunition Co. -.500S&W Magnum.

External links

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