have decided to get new smith mag. need input on which to get. 460 or 500. am planning on a 4" and an accompaning tc encore in the same cal.

I would go with the 460. While it is true it develops less muzzle energy the difference isn't that great and the 460 is far more controllable. I shot 20 rounds of factory Hornady a couple of days ago and 20 rounds of 250 grain Hornady JHP reloads today...didn't even start my bad shoulder and elbow acting up. When you figure ammo costs as well as the cost of reloads and the 460 just makes more sense. The 460 I am shooting in the 5 inch btw.

have decided to get new smith mag. need input on which to get. 460 or 500. am planning on a 4" and an accompaning tc encore in the same cal.


To answer your qustion properly a little more info is needed..
1-what is your experience level with big bore revolvers.
2-what is your intended purpose for the revolver ( hunting large game, protection, or general shooting)

To answer your qustion properly a little more info is needed..
1-what is your experience level with big bore revolvers.
2-what is your intended purpose for the revolver ( hunting large game, protection, or general shooting)


i have been shooting 44mag since 1973. mainly want this gun to have something not every one would have, i also have a 416 rigby and still havent found an elephant or cape buffalo in north missouri. but not every one has one. i hand load so ammo would not be a problem with either one. i have a target range on my farm.

I assumed you were planning to reload...go broke quick shooting all factory if you want to shoot it much at all. The point is 500 bullets are about twice the cost of 460. Also the 460 is pleasant to shoot, the 500 isn't...of course you could load it down but then why buy one?

have decided to get new smith mag. need input on which to get. 460 or 500. am planning on a 4" and an accompaning tc encore in the same cal.

If you are set on a 4 inch, the 500 Mag is your only choice. The 460 Mag comes in a 5 inch. With that said, I own a couple of each and think the 460 Mag is all you will need. I do love my 500 Mag though, that is why I have both.
I am glad I don't have to decide on o just one. Good luck.

The 50s trump the 45s on game performance IMHO without a dought...The Smiths are a little too bulky for my taste in a carry gun..I much prefer a Bissly or Freedom Revolver.... IMHO and experience the 475s and various 500s (linebaugh and JRH) are higher on the food chain that he 45s. IMHO the 50s are at the top.....http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d62/jwp475/thumb.gif I also own a 50 Alaskan in a revolver its power is not an adevantage over the 500 Linebaugh or JRH... Infact when fired in penetration testing at a John Linebaugh Seminar it did no better than the same bullet fired 500 FPS slower..I have seen nothing in the field on game to indicated that its added velocity adds anything to its ability to put game down.....Propper bullet selection is much more important than added velocity,in fact a flat point hard cast with a meplat of 78% of bullet diameter seems to offer the most pentration and wound channel size..........

i am really leaning to 500. a totally different realm than the 460/45 cal. equal power with a lot less pressure. and i can load light for recreational shooting