Smith 460 vs 500

[Daddybucktn]

Ok guys.. I have killed deer with everything except the handgun. I have been debating all year which one to buy?

They are basically the same price and really the same gun. I have picked up the 460 three times to purchase since you can shoot the 45 long colt and another (russian caliber I believe) that is much cheaper. I like the sight and the ported barrell for the relief of recoil.

My concern is the resale value of the 460 if I chose to sell it after I have achieved my goal of tagging a deer within a couple of years. My belief is the 500 would sell itself since it is the largest cal of handgun. I am planning on buying new and havent been to any gun shows recently. However, I am being told you can pick up a used one for $300 - $400 less than retail because they are just too much gun?

Am I over thinking? I would appreciate any comment/insight... Thanks

 

[skynimrod]

Hmmmm.
Both too big for me & I have heard they are both real real loud.
Why not just get a Contender if you need that much power.
My 44 mag should be just fine this year. Stay tuned.
JMO only

 

[mr.big]

I have fired the 454 Cassul and the 475 linebaugh, there is no need for that to take a deer,,get a Ruger 45 Colt or a 44 Rem Mag,,

you can really stand on the gas with 45 Colt loads..

 

[Daddybucktn]

I am not sure I do need that much power. I missed one with my Smith 686 -.357 mag. Although it appears that I missed... I worried if it was enough power. I do need a little education as handgun hunting is going to be new to me.

Thanks for the replies and keep them coming. As I said... I need to be educated.

 

[ShaneHallum]

The 460 hurts my hand worse than anything I've ever shot! My hand was blue after 5 shots.

My 454 casull would almost jump out of your hand. I sold that dang thing not long after I bought it.


The 454 will shoot .45LC too.

 

[Kimberman]

You dont need a 460 or 500 to kill deer. A 357, 41 mag, 44 mag, or 45 LC will do the job, cost you less for the gun, and for the ammo, and wont deafen you or break your wrists.

 

[Model70Man]

I was told I could shoot 454 Casull and 45 LC out of my 460 S&W. I haven't tried to shoot other cartridges out of it and really don't plan to. It's IMO a more versatile round compared to the 500. My 460 is a TC Encore 20" Katahdin barrel. I absolutely don't know how anyone can shoot that round out of a pistol.

 

[Daddybucktn]

Its starting to sound like I dont want either one?

 

[ShaneHallum]

The 460 in the pistol weighs like 9lbs. And I'll tell ya right now.. you need a concrete block on the front of the barrel to hold it down!

If you wanted a bigger cal. gun, I would get the 454 casul. Even that is a rough rough recoil. The .44mag is plenty, but it doesnt reach out nearly as far as the 460/500.

Something else about the bigger guns... I don't like paying 60 bucks for 20 shots.

 

[fishboy1]

Unless you are going to use it to hunt LARGE game like moose,elk, bear etc....

The .44 mag or better yet, the .45LC is plenty for deer.

You can get a Ruger Red/Blackhawk for a reasonable price.

If you want max energy shoot a heavy .45 colt load.
Im a fan of the .45 lc. You can load it up with large bullets and get excellent down range energy with less recoil/muzzle blast than .44 mag.

You can also buy cowboy action loads for low recoil plinking.

I wouldn't get any of those big pistols after shooting a .454 casull. The recoil and muzzle blast destroyed a new Nikon monarch pistol scope in 5 shots, and knocked the light out of the bay next to us on shot 6. Standing 4 feet behind the shooter it felt like getting slapped on both sides of the face when the gun went off. Not fun to shoot at all.

 

[fastbs]

Got to shoot a ruger 8" barrel 44 mag last week for the first time. it was a pleasent surprise, we were using some kind of federal hunting load. the recoil was tolerable for range fun.

 

[holstonangler]

I sold my 500 and regret it. I loved that gun, except for buying the ammo at $3 a round.

 

[Daddybucktn]

Are we in agreement that I might want something larger than my 357 Mag? I know Kimberman suggested that may be all I needed.

It appears the 460/500 may be too big but I am thinking I might need something bigger just so I feel more confident when I pull the trigger. I HATE not being able to find a deer! Needless to say its also a long drive home when you are questioning if you even made the connection without enough knock down power.

 

[woodchuckc]

Haven't killed a deer with it yet, but plan on carrying my Ruger Super Redhawk 44 mag with a 7 1/2 inch barrel out this year during gun season. I actually enjoy shooting it with 44 special ammo - not so much fun with 44 mag loads. I have a Millet red dot scope on it and have shot enough 44 mag loads to be as confident out to 50 yards with it as a scoped rifle (I haven't tried longer ranges to see what the groups look like).

I can't imagine why anyone would want anything bigger in a handgun for deer, but it is your wallet ($$$ to shoot the ones you mentioned) and hands/wrists/ears! As mentioned above, the 41 mag, 44 mag, or 45 LC will get the job done just as well.

 

[Model70Man]

Woodchuckc brought up another item. Your ears! You will go deaf from the muzzle blast from the 460. The blast is almost unbearable. I shoot the Hornady FTX 200 gr. factory rounds and the blast is amazing. I will hunt with ear muffs when that gun goes with me in the field.

 

[Efhutton]

I'd stick with the 460, no such thing is to dead is it ?

 

[pcrc]

For what its worth, I had chance to shoot 500 last year. Was expecting much more kick and recoil than it actually delivered. I thought it was very manageable, but it may have been the ammo.

 

[mr.big]

recoil out of the picture,,the 357 will work up close,shoot it like it is a bow,,

the 45 Colt is the way to go,,if you are like me and cant afford a Freedom Arms,,get the Ruger Blackhawk

 

[fishboy1]

The 250gr xtp (non mag) with some 2400 gives me good performance out of a black hawk 7-1/2" barrel. 1226fps average.

Good expansion with good weight retention.

 

[Daddybucktn]

Thanks for the input guys... This is good stuff. It appears that I have a few more options than originally thought. I am going to have to conitnue researching.

It looks like the 44 Mag, 45 Colt are the most popular. I think the 460 is still on my list due to the fact it does shoot the 45 LC and I believe they said 454 casull for more versitilty (3 guns in 1). I guess now it is just a matter of price between the three?

Your comments are appreciated and didnt fall on deaf ears.

"Thanks"

 

[HenryCohunter]

Get a Superedhawk in 480 Ruger its 80% of the energy of the 454 with 60% of the recoil.

 

[Yamaha4Stroke]

I own a 460 and i love it. Mounted steel Warne rings and bases and a Leupold Vari x3 on it. It is deadly. I went thru those same pains you went thru when trying to decide and i went with the 460 over bullet selection available as well as velocity. It's an animal on deer, and its also a plinker with 45 long colt's in it.