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Revolver · SAAMI

.460 S&W Magnum

.460 S&W

The world's fastest production revolver cartridge.

Caliber
0.4524″ · 11.49 mm
Introduced
2003
Case
Rimmed
Parent
.454 Casull
Primary use
Hunting, Big Game, Long Range Handgun
Status
Active
Velocity1,500–2,300 fps
Energy1,200–2,500 ft·lb
Typical grains200 · 250 · 300 gr
Identity
Introduced
2003
Type
Revolver
Origin
United States
Inventor
Smith & Wesson
Manufacturer
Smith & Wesson
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
59 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:20
Primer
Large Rifle
Case type
Rimmed
Pressure & range
Max pressure
65,000 psi
Eff. range
200 yd
Max range
600 yd
Recoil
55–75 ft·lb
Subsonic
Capable

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Federal Premium 275 gr, 1,750 fps, BC 0.230 G1 · 25 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd17491869-0.9″—
25 yd170517740.0″0.2
50 yd16601682+0.2″0.5
75 yd16151593-0.4″-0.5
100 yd15711507-1.8″-1.7
125 yd15271424-4.1″-3.1
150 yd14831343-7.3″-4.7
175 yd14401265-11.6″-6.3
200 yd13961190-16.8″-8.0

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingFederal Premium275 gr · JSP · 1,750 fps · BC 0.230 G1Buy now →
Best for DefenseFederal Federal Premium HST200 gr · HST JHP · 2,300 fpsBuy now →
Best for TargetFederal American Eagle200 gr · JHP · 2,300 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .460 S&W Magnum ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀11.490.452✓
Neck ⌀12.140.478✓
Shoulder ⌀n/a
Shoulder anglen/a
Base ⌀12.140.478✓
Rim ⌀13.210.520✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.500.059✓
Neck lengthn/a
Case length45.721.800✓
Overall length58.422.300~

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 S&W Magnum is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 251 active loads across 34 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 251 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
FederalPremium275JSP1,7501,8700.230 G1
FederalAmerican Eagle200JHP2,3002,349—
FederalFederal Premium HST200HST JHP2,3002,349—
FederalFederal Premium Hydra-Shok200Hydra-Shok JHP2,3002,349—
FederalSyntech200TSJ2,3002,349—
WinchesterUSA White Box200JHP2,3002,349—
WinchesterPDX1 Defender200PDX1 Bonded2,3002,349—
WinchesterSilvertip200Silvertip HP2,3002,349—
HornadyCritical Defense200FTX JHP2,3002,349—
HornadyCritical Duty200FlexLock JHP2,3002,349—
HornadyAmerican Gunner200XTP JHP2,3002,349—
HornadyHandgun Hunter200XTP-MAG2,3002,349—
RemingtonUMC200FMJ2,3002,349—
RemingtonGolden Saber200BJHP2,3002,349—
RemingtonHTP200JHP2,3002,349—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

4 reloading powders listed for .460 S&W Magnum, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

N110H110Lil'GunReloader 10x
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.

Firearms chambered in .460 S&W Magnum

12 models in the database chamber .460 S&W Magnum. Browse all →

Taurus Raging Hunter .460 S&W MagnumTaurus Raging Hunter 10mmTaurus Raging Hunter .460 S&W 8.375-inchTaurus Taurus Raging Hunter .460 S&W 10.5-inchBig Horn Armory Model 90Smith & Wesson Model 460 XVR 3.5-inch HunterSmith & Wesson S&W Performance Center 460 .460 S&W 12-inchSmith & Wesson Model 460 XVR HunterSmith & Wesson Model 460XVR PC 5-inch .460 S&WSmith & Wesson Model 460 ES .460 S&W Mag 3.5-inchSmith & Wesson S&W Model 460XVR 5" PCTaurus Model 460 .460 S&W Mag

Lineage

Immediate parent
.454 Casull
Family TreeOpen .460 S&W Magnum in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads251 factory loads for .460 S&W Magnum↗Reloading4 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .460 S&W Magnum↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Introduced by S&W in 2003 in the massive X-frame revolver platform. Designed to be the highest velocity big-bore revolver cartridge, achieving rifle-like velocities with handgun bullets.

FAQs

What twist rate does .460 S&W Magnum use?
.460 S&W Magnum typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .460 S&W Magnum?
.460 S&W Magnum uses a 0.4524″ (11.49 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .460 S&W Magnum still in production?
.460 S&W Magnum is active; typical availability is common.
What is .460 S&W Magnum used for?
.460 S&W Magnum is primarily used for hunting, big game, long range handgun.
What is .460 S&W Magnum based on?
.460 S&W Magnum is derived from the .454 Casull case.
What are the best powders for .460 S&W Magnum?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .460 S&W Magnum include N110, H110, Lil'Gun, Reloader 10x.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 251 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →