Smith & Wesson 460XVR: Shooting and First Impressions

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The Smith & Wesson 460XVR is a hand cannon, to say the least. I put about 100 rounds through one over Father's Day weekend, and the video covers what comes in the box, how three different loads compare for recoil, and what each one does to a watermelon. This write-up goes along with that video. My take is below, plus the factory specs, pulled straight from Smith & Wesson, that I didn't have off the top of my head on camera.

What's in the box

This was a quick, impromptu table discussion before the shooting started. The 460XVR comes in a big blue Smith & Wesson case with foam all the way around the gun. Inside you get:

• The revolver itself
• An extra muzzle brake
• Sight adjustment tools
• A gun lock (which, again, I never use)
• The instruction manual

That extra muzzle brake isn't just a spare. According to Smith & Wesson, the 460XVR ships with two muzzle brakes: one for jacketed bullets and one for lead bullets. The owner's manual shows which compensator goes with which bullet type and how to swap them, so read that before you change anything.

I'll be honest: these are on the pricier side. Prices change, so check current pricing with your dealer.

The specs

Here's what I mentioned in the video, plus the rest of the numbers from Smith & Wesson's product page and spec sheet for the Model 460XVR (SKU 163460):

So it's a five-shot revolver with a real nice long barrel, and you can technically shoot three different types of ammunition through it.

The loads we shot

For the video, I lined up three cartridges:

• Hornady 200-grain FTX in .460 S&W Magnum. This one has the Flex Tip, so it should be the fastest of the three. Hornady lists this load (item #9152) at 2,200 fps and 2,149 ft-lbs at the muzzle from an 8.375-inch test barrel, which is the same barrel length as the 460XVR.
• HSM 300-grain .454 Casull. Of the three cartridges I fired, this is the smallest, with the least amount of recoil.
• Grizzly 360-grain .460 S&W Magnum. This is our big-boy round. The box shown in the video lists it as a 360-grain WLNGC at 1,850 fps.

Just like any wheel gun, you've got your ejector right there. Pop the empties out and you're good to go.

Recoil: how it actually felt

The Hornady 200-grain has a lot of kick. The .454 Casull was the mildest of the three. The 360-grain Grizzly was the sharpest. The recoil is pretty sharp, especially with that Grizzly load.

Here's what surprised me, though. I was expecting more recoil than I got. You'll see it in the video: it was softer than I personally expected it to be. For background, Smith & Wesson advertises "incredibly low perceived recoil for all loads" and builds the gun with a removable compensator, but your hands and your experience may be different.

Something comparable you've probably seen is the 500 Smith & Wesson. I can tell you I would not have fun shooting this all day long. In short stints, though, it's fun.

The watermelon test

To compare the three loads, we set up three watermelons and shot one with each cartridge: the HSM .454 Casull 300-grain first, then the Hornady 200-grain .460, and lastly the Grizzly 360-grain .460. The video shows all three side by side in slow motion, starting at about 5:44.

Watch the slow-mo and judge the differences for yourself. A watermelon isn't a game animal, and it doesn't tell you how a bullet will perform on one. It's a fun way to see the difference in energy between loads.

What is it for?

Let's backtrack for a second. What is this designed for, and what should you use it for?

All-day range gun? I don't know if this is meant for that. It's fun, but it's fun in short stints.

Backcountry protection? If you want something on your person while you're hiking, hunting, or backpacking, something that can take care of anything that comes across your way, whether it's an angry moose or an angry grizzly bear, I think this is perfect for that. If you're worried about grizzly bears, why not, right?

Handgun hunting? I think it's also perfect if you're a hunter who wants to hunt with a revolver. You could mount a scope on it. The hardware isn't included (Smith & Wesson lists the 460XVR as not optics-ready from the factory), but you can get a Picatinny rail for these to mount a pistol scope. To my knowledge, you can hunt with it effectively out to about 300 yards. For reference, Smith & Wesson's own claim is that with a 200-yard zero you can hold center from 0 to 250 yards with no holdover. How far you should actually shoot depends on your load, your rest, your skill, and your state's regulations, so know your limits.

Bottom line

The 460XVR is a beast, and it's a lot of fun to have. If this is your cup of tea and you're on the edge, I think you might as well just go get it. Just know what you're buying. It's a big, heavy, hard-hitting revolver for the woods and for hunting, not a plinker you'll want to shoot all afternoon.

This article is for entertainment and informational purposes only. It isn't professional, legal, or safety advice. Always check the facts, local laws and regulations, and manufacturer data for yourself, and use your own judgment before you hunt or handle any firearm or ammunition.