Pistol · SAAMI
.460 Rowland
High-pressure .45-caliber semi-auto cartridge that converts 1911-pattern pistols into field-capable handguns rivaling .44 Magnum.
- Caliber
- 0.452″ · 11.481 mm
- Introduced
- 1998
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .45 ACP
- Primary use
- Hunting, Self Defense
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1998
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Johnny Rowland
- Manufacturer
- Clark Custom Guns, Rowland Conversions
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Limited
- Case capacity
- 28.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Large Pistol
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 40,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 75 yd
- Max range
- 150 yd
- Recoil
- 6–10 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .460 Rowland. Parent case: .45 ACP (lengthened).
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.48 | 0.452 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 12.01 | 0.473 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 12.09 | 0.476 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.19 | 0.480 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.24 | 0.049 | ~ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 24.31 | 0.957 | · |
| Overall length | 32.39 | 1.275 | · |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .460 Rowland is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
7 reloading powders listed for .460 Rowland, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed in 1998 by Johnny Rowland and Clark Custom Guns. The .460 Rowland was designed to give 1911 pistol owners near-.44 Magnum performance via a barrel and compensator conversion kit. The extra 1/16" case length prevents dangerous chambering in standard .45 ACP guns. Adoption has been limited to handgun hunters and wilderness defense users.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .460 Rowland use?
- .460 Rowland typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .460 Rowland?
- .460 Rowland uses a 0.452″ (11.481 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .460 Rowland still in production?
- .460 Rowland is active; typical availability is limited.
- What is .460 Rowland used for?
- .460 Rowland is primarily used for hunting, self defense.
- What is .460 Rowland based on?
- .460 Rowland is derived from the .45 ACP (lengthened) case.
- What are the best powders for .460 Rowland?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .460 Rowland include Universal, HP-38, Herco, Longshot, among 7 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
- Manufacturer Underwood Ammo — 460 Rowland 185gr. Jacketed Hollow Point Hunting & Self Defense Ammo · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Buffalo Bore — 460 Rowland Handgun & Pistol Ammo (Item 35A/20) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Underwood Ammo — 460 Rowland 230gr. Jacketed Hollow Point Hunting & Self Defense Ammo · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Buffalo Bore — 460 Rowland 255 gr. Hard Cast Flat Nose (Item 35D/20) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Underwood Ammo — 460 Rowland 255gr. Flat Nose Hard Cast Hunting Ammo · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 21 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →