458 Win vs 460 Weatherby

[Kevin375]

I had the opportunity to shoot the .460 Weatherby magnum with an old Weatherby Mark V that had the first generation of muzzle brake. It is not possible to take it off like the new generation of Accubrake, because many little holes are drilled directly in the muzzle.

I'm not sure if it's a real Mag-Na-Port but anyway, it tamed very well this caliber.

I was using handloaded ammunitions and 500 gr bullets were launched at 780 m/s (2560 f/s), that is already quite substantial.
I don't think the rifle kicked more than my CZ 550 in .416 Rigby. But the blast and the noise from the muzzle brake were horrible and it reminds me when I used the loaner .30-378 Weatherby magnum with its Accubrake, and how people around were scaried by its noise.
When I shot my kudu, I'm still still seeing my PH putting is hand on his right ear that was hurting him.

I don't like muzzle brake and I think it's not good for the team while hunting.

A .460 Weatherby magnum in a Weatherby Mark V without a muzzle brake is definitely not for everyone, and I remember what Kevin Robertson said about this caliber in a podcast. The accuracy challenge between a scoped .460 Weatherby magnum and a 9 mm luger as well as the Italian hunter who had terrible flinches before squeezing the trigger and who completely missed an elephant with a body shot at shot distance.
I spoke with a man who had an A-Square Hannibal in .460 Weatherby magnum, and because of its heavier weight and also stock design, the recoil was more manageable but still strong he said.
In the past, I dreamed about this caliber and I wanted to build a custom rifle on a CZ550 action with a stock like the A-Square's but I think it was a bit too much for me at the end.

I decided to go with the .458 Lott and it's more than enough for me. If one day, I want something more powerfull, I'd go to the .500 Jeffery.

 

[TTundra]

A 458 with a premium bullet will exit most angles on a buff. A 460 with the proper bullet (otherwise it blows up) will certainly exit and to what benefit? Most of the energy is going out the other side. We don't kill with energy anyway. These aren't laser beams. We kill with blood loss, vitals destruction and skeletal structure breakdown. There isn't much benefit to all of the energy on paper increasing beyond 458 Lott levels. There are lots of downsides...noise/concussion to everyone around you, excessive recoil with no real benefits, cumulative effects of recoil (no one is exempt from that), etc. Bullet failure is much more of a problem at those velocities. It's still about bullet placement and the bullet penetrating to vitals, ideally with an exit to improve rapid blood loss.

While I agree the 460 is not for everyone, the versatility of it is unmatched in the 458 arena.
I think the 'will certainly exit is a stretch. Below a Hornady DGX Bonded from my above buffalo. Did not exit, worked flawlessly, and this at 2500 fps.
Again, the recoil is not for everyone, but I've shot much worse in lighter calibers.

I equate the 460 to be more of a light stopping rifle, below the big 500s. I've shot 505 gibbs and 500 jefferys again that just are painful, while others more pleasant. This is all due to stock design and fitment. A hunter wanting to take on DG should do as the pros all do and get fitted to a rifle. There's a reason why every PRS, ELR, XLR, and shotgun pro all use custom stocks. I never knew how much a difference until I tried the A2 Coil Check stock that ended up being a great fit for me.
I'm also 6'4" and don't fall into 'normal' stock dimensions.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

This very short video is of @mitch4570 shooting his new to him .458 Lott CZ with 500 gr bullets at 2300 fps. These were is first shots taken after two shot on a standing bench. The difference in felt recoil in all but the perfect standing bench position to shooting offhand is huge! Notice how well he shoots this rifle.

FYI, I have a 450 Rigby that launchs the same projectiles at over 2400 fps. There is a large difference in recoil between these two rifles. Compared to them, my .458 Win Heym double and bolt action rifles shooting 500 grs at 2150 fps are pussycats to shoot.

 

[Axle2010]

While I don't agree with all the stories of massive recoil from the Mark V everything you hear about the muzzle blast is dead on. Muzzle blast is flat out insane, worse I've ever heard. My first shot i was excited and forgot my ear plugs in my pocket and I wasn't sure if it had ruptured my left eardrum or not. I've only taken a few shots with mine since I dont have a scope or dot on it yet but the shots I did take didn't bother my shoulder a bit and I believe the Mark V is only 8.5-9 lbs.

 

[Safari Dave]

The factory muzzle break that came on the older Mark V's .460s did a great job of taming recoil.

But, the noise and blast is, absolutely, unbearable.


In the right rifle, I would consider a .460 to be a great "stopping rifle." (Better than a .458 Lott).

Unfortunately, I don't think the cartridge has ever chambered in the "right" rifle.


There are very few cartridges that generate over 7,500 ft/lbs. of muzzle energy...