Revolver · SAAMI
.460 S&W Magnum
The world's fastest production revolver cartridge.
- Caliber
- 0.4524″ · 11.49 mm
- Introduced
- 2005
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .454 Casull
- Primary use
- Hunting, Big Game, Long Range Handgun
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 2005
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Smith & Wesson
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 59 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 65,000 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 2150 yd
- Recoil
- 25.6–39 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Introduced by Smith & Wesson
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .460 S&W Magnum. Parent case: .454 Casull.
Performance
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| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.49 | 0.452 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 12.14 | 0.478 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 12.14 | 0.478 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 13.21 | 0.520 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.50 | 0.059 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 45.72 | 1.800 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 58.42 | 2.300 | ~ |
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
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
5 reloading powders listed for .460 S&W Magnum, 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.
Firearms chambered in .460 S&W Magnum
Lineage
Connected reference
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, Vihtavuori 3N38, among 5 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299.3-2022 — Centerfire Pistol & Revolver Voluntary Performance Standards · representative_gun, grain_ballistics archived
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
- Manufacturer Federal Premium — Fusion Handgun 460 S&W, 260 grain (F460FS1) · representative_gun, grain_ballistics archived
- Manufacturer Underwood Ammo — 460 S&W Magnum 300gr XTP Jacketed Hollow Point Hunting Ammo · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Hornady — 460 S&W Magnum 200 gr FTX (Custom, item #9152) · representative_gun, grain_ballistics archived
- Manufacturer Federal Premium — Swift A-Frame 460 S&W, 300 grain (P460SA) · representative_gun, grain_ballistics
- Manufacturer Underwood Ammo — 460 S&W Magnum 240gr XTP Jacketed Hollow Point Hunting Ammo · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Hornady — 460 S&W 200 gr MonoFlex Handgun Hunter (item #9153) · representative_gun, grain_ballistics archived
- Manufacturer Buffalo Bore — Dangerous Game 460 Smith & Wesson — Mono-Metal (item 26DG 300) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 66 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
