460 S&W rifle

[J E Custom]

Thought I would post the results of one of my latest projects. After building a bolt action 460 S&W with a 22" barrel and finding that the cartridge has more potential, I decided on a 26" barrel in a TC Encore to save overall length.

Using the 200 grain Hornady factory loading I found 500 ft/sec more velocity in the 22" barrel than in the 8.5" HVR pistol. Chronographing the new barrel during brake in basically told me that 26" to 28" is optimum barrel length.

Here are the velocities in the order fired. (All shots were cleaned before the next shot was fired).

1 = 2978 ft/sec
2 = 2981 ft/sec
3 = 2997 ft/sec
4 = 2999 ft/sec
5 = 2992 ft/sec
6 = 2992 ft/sec
7 = 2897 ft/sec
8 = 3004 ft/sec
9 = 3004 ft/sec
10 = 3015 ft/sec
11 = 3012 ft/sec
12 = 3026 ft/sec.
Once it broke in to the 3000 ft/sec velocity range, all velocities remained very close for factory loads.

The 22" barreled rifle exceeded 2900 ft/sec by a little and the 26" barrel did the same at 3000 ft/sec. 4 more inches only produced 48 ft/sec more after break in so I think it reached the optimum barrel length

The next step is to load and test the 300 grain bullets and the 325 grain bullets to see if the longer barrel length will benefit the heavier bullets and gain more velocity percentage.

Best accuracy with the Magneto speed attached was .757 and should improve with it off and more attention paid to accuracy.

Hogs beware !!!!
J E CUSTOM

 

[Pmacc60]

That Is incredible , what made you think about cartridge in a rifle?

 

[J E Custom]

That Is incredible , what made you think about cartridge in a rifle?

In some states and counties. the requirements are very stringent and only straight sided cases of no more than 1.8 inches long are permitted, so the first one I built was for my brother in law in Michigan. It was the most powerful cartridge I could find that met the requirements.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Wolf76]

Could have just built a 45 raptor and achieved the same thing in the bolt gun. Only difference is the rimmed case on the 460. I run 2900 with the xpb Barnes 200 with a 20" barrel and AA#9.

 

[Pmacc60]

It is eye opening, tremendous results ! I can't wait to see what the 300 and 325 grain bullets do. What kind of energy you think your getting ?

 

[Pdog11]

Nice have the revolver been thinking about a encore barrel but never pulled the trigger kept reading about frame stretching but maybe that was just the 500.

 

[J E Custom]

Nice have the revolver been thinking about a encore barrel but never pulled the trigger kept reading about frame stretching but maybe that was just the 500.

The Encore was designed for more than the 65,000 psi pressure that the 460 can produce and should not cause it a problem. frame stretch could be expected with the old Contender frame and the smaller action pin with the high pressures of many cartridges and the Encore can/does use a larger barrel diameter.

It remains to be seen how long the action will remain tight, will just have to see.

J E CUSTOM

 

[J E Custom]

Could have just built a 45 raptor and achieved the same thing in the bolt gun. Only difference is the rimmed case on the 460. I run 2900 with the xpb Barnes 200 with a 20" barrel and AA#9.

If I were going to build another bolt action it might be the better choice, but the 460 S&W can shoot 45 long colt, 454 Casull and the 460 S&W ammo in both my HVR pistol and my rifle so It gives me a lot of flexibility for the use.

The 460 and the 45 Raptor are very close in performance with the 460 having an edge with 3,000 psi more design pressure.

For the rifle cartridge only, I chose the 450 bushmaster, but it doesn't fit the restrictions.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Wolf76]

If I were going to build another bolt action it might be the better choice, but the 460 S&W can shoot 45 long colt, 454 Casull and the 460 S&W ammo in both my HVR pistol and my rifle so It gives me a lot of flexibility for the use.

The 460 and the 45 Raptor are very close in performance with the 460 having an edge with 3,000 psi more design pressure.

For the rifle cartridge only, I chose the 450 bushmaster, but it doesn't fit the restrictions.

J E CUSTOM

The 2 cartridges are identical. The 45 raptor literally uses 460 load data. And because the raptor uses a 308 BF, the conversion couldn't be easier.
For a break action, the rimmed case is useful. I have an encore and love how compact it is.
Just one correction-the 450 BM is "the cartridge" that meets all the straight wall restrictions. Only negative is the 38.5 K psi saami spec, which according to other people, doesn't matter in a bolt gun.
Thank you for sharing your results.

Cheers from Michigan.

 

[J E Custom]

When I first built the 460 for my brother in law, Michigan held case length to 1.8 and the 450 didn't qualify. I am glad they saw the light and are now allowing the 450 Bushmaster. I never understood the restrictions but was told that it was the potential range of the bullet. they obviously didn't under stand the potential of the big slugs and bullets.

I once shot a 44 mag at 600 yards and was very impressed at the results once I found the target and a good hold. It wouldn't win a 600 yard match, but it would certainly scare the heck out of you if you were on the receiving end.

Even though you shoot the Raptor in a bolt action, be careful using the 460 load data.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Blancoalex]

Nice build JE. Did you put muzzle brake on this rifle or is it a very mild 45 cal rifle? Should be great thumper for deer, bear, and hogs.

 

[Wolf76]

When I first built the 460 for my brother in law, Michigan held case length to 1.8 and the 450 didn't qualify. I am glad they saw the light and are now allowing the 450 Bushmaster. I never understood the restrictions but was told that it was the potential range of the bullet. they obviously didn't under stand the potential of the big slugs and bullets.

J E CUSTOM

The 450 BM has always been legal in Michigan since they went to straight wall cartridges. The only requirements have always been: 35 cal or larger, max case length 1.8", and a straight wall case. Some other Midwest states had specific cartridges, but not Michigan.
The reason I found the raptor was I wanted something more than the 44 and the 460 lever gun was stupid expensive. The 450 was just starting to have a presence.

45 RAPTOR

45 RAPTOR - The Big Bore cartridge for 308 AR Rifles

www.45raptor.com

Below is the 450 BM specs

 

[J E Custom]

The 450 BM has always been legal in Michigan since they went to straight wall cartridges. The only requirements have always been: 35 cal or larger, max case length 1.8", and a straight wall case. Some other Midwest states had specific cartridges, but not Michigan.
The reason I found the raptor was I wanted something more than the 44 and the 460 lever gun was stupid expensive. The 450 was just starting to have a presence.

45 RAPTOR

45 RAPTOR - The Big Bore cartridge for 308 AR Rifles

www.45raptor.com

Below is the 450 BM specs
View attachment 183007

We must be getting our information from different sources and this is what my source says not to start an argument, just to clarify.

.45 Raptor - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

It really doesn't matter anyway I chose what I thought was the correct cartridge and so did you.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Muddyboots]

JE, since I actually authored the straight wall law for Mi, I can tell you the 450BM was legal once the NRC removed the word pistol straight wall from initial proposal which I was in total agreement. The reason it wasn't in original was to eliminate any MI DNR technical arguments from the proposed rule. Simply was stating pistol straight wall in rifle configuration. I would have liked to be more encompassing in the bill but DNR was adamant to prohibit rifles in Zone 3 at all costs. It was unanimous votes in Senate and House that finally got it to the NRC. The removal of pistol was to simplify rule for CO's which I totally agreed with. As result, the 450BM was legal from first day the rule was approved for three year test. It has since been finalized into permanent rule. BT - The 1.8" came from the 460 being allowed in pistol.

It is interesting this rule has been picked up by at least 4 other states. I sent a package to NH not too long ago and it may go there to.
Muddy