460 S&W Rifle Loads

[300WineMag]

I have a TC Encor and just got a 20" Katahdin barrel. Wondering what bullets are working best for 200yds+. Have H110 powder and just didn't want to reinvent the wheel. if you have anything that worked good or bad I'd appreciate hearing your results.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

My brother has one of the x-frame 460 s&w pistols with the 8'ish inch barrel and he's running a re-swaged hardcast 405 grain (knocked down from .458" to .452") pushed by a start charge of little gun (hodgdon data). If you don't have a lube-sizer you could buy 395 grain cast in .452" diameter and get the same performance. He's getting 1750 fps in his pistol using the 405.

 

[300WineMag]

Interesting concept, are those flat nosed? I had been looking for factory bullets in my loading manuals and only found Barnes and Hornady. Ordered some Barnes 200 & 275 gr XPB and already had some Hornady 200 FTX. Going to see what I can get for groups at 200 yds.

Buddy shot some factory hornady 200 SST and got 2930 fps in 20" bbl. They were rated at 2200 fps in 8".

Will post results after I get bullets.

 

[Grumulkin]

I use Hornady 250 gr. SST/ML (muzzle loader bullets) in my Encore 460 S&W Magnum Handgun. The approximately 1.5 inch group was shot at 200 yards.

 

[300WineMag]

Nice group for a handgun!!! I'll be pleased if I to get to 1.5" with the rifle at 200.
Using muzzleloader bullets are you just estimating powder weight based on other similar weight bullets with published loads?

 

[J E Custom]

I use Hornady 250 gr. SST/ML (muzzle loader bullets) in my Encore 460 S&W Magnum Handgun. The approximately 1.5 inch group was shot at 200 yards.

This would be one of the recommendations for the rifle (250 grain Hornadys) Muzzle loader or leverevloution bullets.

The other would be the heaviest bullets you can find. (The lighter pistol bullets are nor very stable
at distance because of there flat nose.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Grumulkin]

You can use data for any lead core jacketed bullet of the same weight with Hornady's muzzle loader bullets.

 

[300WineMag]

Well I have some test results to report for 20" barrel TC rifle.

All my loads used H110 powder, CCI Mag Rifle Primers and 2.32" COAL for Barnes and 2.275" for Hornady. Magneto speed V3 chronograph. No crimps- single shot gun.

275 gr Barnes XPB no speeds, just testing for groups and pressure sign at 100 yd
36 gr. 3 shots 2" group
36.5 gr 2at 3"
37.0 gr 2 at 1"
37.5 gr 2 at 2"
38.0 gr 2 at 2.5" 38.2 max load listed, not too thrilled

Tried Barnes 200 gr XPB
45.0 gr 2527, 2497 fps, same hole, little larger
45.5 gr 2602, 2604, 2592, 2576 fps, 3 at 1/2", 1 at 1.5"
46.0 gr 2576, 2610 fps 1"
46.5 gr 2620, 2581 fps same hole little larger ( MAX LOAD LISTED)
47.0 gr 2727 fps 1 shot
47.5 gr 2621, 2670, 2684 fps 2"
48.0 gr 2622, 2677 2"

Tried 4 - 45.5 gr at 100 got 2.5", tried 5 - 46.5 gr at 200 yd got 3.5" group- not bad but not too exciting.

Loaded Hornady 200 gr FTX
50 gr 2 shot 2772, 2826 fps. 7" group w clean barrel
50.5 gr 2818, 2797 fps 3/4" at 100 yd
51.0 gr 2858, 2891 fps 2.5"
51.5 gr 2832, 2869 fps 2.5"
52.0 gr 2868, 2871 fps 1.5"
52.5 gr 2882, 2913 fps 2.25" (52.7 max load listed) pretty quick for .452" dia!!

Shot Hornady factory 200 gr FTX
got 2833 to 2871 fps, 5 shot 1" group at 100, 5 shot 3" group at 200 yds not too bad - will try 300 yd soon.

Still reloading 200 gr Barnes trying to find the right mix. Sad but true, so far factory loads out shoot my reloads (for this gun).

Best point learned so far is the 200 gr bullets are only dropping about 3" at 200 from zeroed at 100 yds!

Hope this helps if anyone is trying to reload for 460 too...

 

[300WineMag]

Well finally shot the 460 300 yds.

Handloads, Barnes 200 XPB w/ 46.5 gr H110 at around 2600 fps.
Zeroed at 100 yds
At 300yds the group centered 32" low, it had 3 shots at 5", then over to the right was 1 at 9", 1 at 12". Winds about 5-7 at 45 degrees. Not to impressed

Factory hornady 200 gr FTX
Zeroed at 100
At 200 the 3 shot group was centered 5" low, 5" tall x 3" wide. So-so
At 300 group was centered 20" low, 2 at 2", 1 at 4.5"

Is there any 44, 460 or 50 cal pistol loaders following this? I haven't been crimping cause it's a single shot, wondering if better consistency with crimped loads?

 

[Grumulkin]

Shot at 200 yards with a braked Encore handgun with a 15 inch barrel and not crimped. I see no good reason to crimp for a single shot firearm but do for a revolver.

Group size was about 1.5 inches and muzzle velocity about 2,350 fps. Drpp from 100 to 200 yards is about 7.5 inches. I've never shot it at 300 yards.

For what it's worth, I had more of a challenge getting my 460 S&W Magnum to shoot well than I've had with any cartridge.

 

[300WineMag]

Grumulkin

I'd be real happy with that group. Is that Alliant 2400?

I see their site calls for Fed 210 primers and much less powder like 36 grns. I've been using magnum rifle, not large rifle. I will see if I can find 2400 and give it a try.

Thanks for the help/ info!!

 

[Grumulkin]

Yes, Alliant 2400. PM me if you want the powder charge; it's a bit different than you mention.