I currently shoot 458 Lott and 416 Rigby and am looking for a bit more challenge without spending $5k or more so I am toying with the idea of buying a 460 Weatherby magnum. Several questions, I am looking at one with open sights, if I mounted scope bases would I be able to see the sights over the bases? It doesn't make much sense to scope a rifle with iron sights if the irons can't be used with the scope removed. I prefer a rifle with no muzzle brake or a removable muzzle brake, all the iron sighted 460s I see have had non removable muzzle brakes machined into the barrels. How badly would such a brake increase muzzle blast? And, in general if you have thoughts on a 460 WM please hold forth.

Tim, the 460 Wby can be a fine round, It has the case capacity to get 2,600 fps from a 500gr bullet, but is also a great platform for using 550-600gr bullets in a 458. On the other hand, you can load a 460 down to 458 Lott, 458 Win Mag, or even 45-70 if you don't need all the power and recoil of max loads for what you're hunting.

The Weatherby rifles you're looking at are the older models with the Pendleton porting on the barrel. The newer (probably 1990s and up) use an Accubrake, which is not only more effective than porting, but is also removable, and comes with a cap to cover the threads when used without the Accubrake. I might weight up the rifle a bit to shoot it without a brake if you are using full-house loads.

The open sights on Weatherby rifles are nothing to write home about, but you could use NECG Masterpiece sights to replace them. Leupold QD bases w=should allow use of the sights when the scope is removed.

Go for it!

Warne makes a low profile base that will enable you to see the sights. I went with them on a Model 70 for just this reason.

Just my .02, if you need more than the Lott. Get something with a bigger bore. Ie: 470 AR, Capstick, Mbogo, 500/510 AR, Jeff, MDM, Wells 550 AR, Magnum. Also 505 Gibbs ect.

Keith

$3800 MSRP for 460 Weatherby Mark V Dangerous Game Rifle Custom,
from Weatherby Custom Shop:



http://www.weatherby.com/customshop/customrifle/44294

The old integral brakes were Pilkington-type, not used by Weatherby anymore.
I bought one of those Mark V Deluxe rifles in 1985, right after my first big bore, a Ruger No. 1 in .458 WinMag had been conquered.
If you get one with a brake, it will be a Weatherby Accu-brake, detachable and comes with a thread protector for muzzle.

Scope bases are no problem.
Stock design and your face will determine whether you can make do with both iron sights and scope. Most can.

My factory 460 Weatherby was a bug-holer with 115 grains of IMR-4350 giving about 2500 fps with 500-grain Hornady RNSN:
The standard accuracy load for 460 Wby plinking.
I used a scope.

Highjack: 500 Mbogo

Hogkiller and RIP both provide extra considerations on the 460 Weatherby.

Since you have a 416Rigby, the first thing that I would do is find an accurate flat-shooting load with the 350gn TTSX. It has a .444 BC and makes the Rigby an excellent all around African gun or elk gun. Aim for about 2800-2850fps, a tad over 6000 ftlbs.

The second item, after tuning up a Rigby to be flat-shooting and all-around, is to reconsider the 450Rigby//460Weatherby question. The 450 Rigby is just the 460 Weatherby without the belt. Both cartridges are limited to .458" bullets, with a fairly wide selection. The purpose of the 450 Rigby and 460 Weatherby is to add speed to those bullets beyond what the bullet makers generally consider and without good BC's.

AT this point Hogkiller's advice is quite pertinent. You probably don't need more speed, since a 460Weatherby is not going to be a 400-yard impala gun (416 Rigby will handle this ).

You can start thinking about the big "5". With a magnum action, there is the 500 Mbogo (Rigby-type case), 500Jeffrey, even a 505 Gibbsy. For a standard-action build, down around a comfy 7000ftlb level, there is a 500 AccRel (Nyati throated). With a .500" barrel there is the 500MDM (6500ftlbs). You have alot of options and alot of good bullets for extra insurance dealing with a buffalo.

As I've noticed many times, hunters tend to choose calibres based on what is already in the closet. One group gravitates to (24)--30--375--458, and the other group gravitates to (22)--270--338--416--500. Call it a 20% upgrade tendency. Since you have a 416Rigby, if you get to know it and its true capacity, then the next significant step up will be a .5".

I have been thinking about a 460 kinda sorta for a long time, last night I went on Gunbroker and found this . For the money I couldn't pass it up, rifle, bases and scope for $1900. I reckon I'm in the 460 business.

Tim, I saw that one...good buy!

You willing to talk to my wife Biebs? Splain it to her?

In the last few years I have wanted one of these shiny, gaudy quintessentially California style rifles. I used to hate the style but it has grown on me, it is an American classic, the Weatherby magnum. My first Weatherby magnum in fact.

You'll find that stock design has a purpose. The forward taper to the cheekpiece/comb moves the stock away from your face as the rifle recoils rearwards.

No, no Biebs, not 'splain the stock design to her, 'splain how $1900 is a good deal!

You will love the 460. I have a 378, 416, and a 460 -- all Euromarks. They are extremely accurate and have devastating power. On a hunt last year, my PH said that he had never seen anything "deflate" an animal like my Weatherby.

The best thing about a .460 why is that it's a fine trainer for a .500a2 or bigger.-Rob

Dr Rob speaks, others listen :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
The best thing about a .460 why is that it's a fine trainer for a .500a2 or bigger.-Rob

The natural progression of the riflecrank.

Congrats on your new toy For years I had an older Japanese made Lazermark in .460 that was pretty much a safe queen except for trips to the range because I always thought she was too "purdy" to take out into the field and risk getting scratched or dinged.

That rifle found a new home several years ago to help fund another project, but I always enjoyed shooting and loading for it. I'm sure that yours will bring you many years of enjoyment!

I got it. I shot it. Fired 20 rounds Friday and 15 on Saturday. About half the rounds fired on Friday were with the muzzle brake installed. When I realized it doesn't kick at all with the muzzle brake installed I removed said brake. After all, what's the fun in shooting a 460 Weatherby magnum if it doesn't kick? Broke the extractor, new one coming from Weatherby. $12 for the extractor, $10 for the muzzle thread protector and $5 for postage. Can't complain about that.

Tarted up a WM .460 been to Africa twice, fantastic rifle. 1 inch @ 200 meters with North Fork cupped points and solids. If you are interested I shall happily share the information on the loads I have sorted out. Send a PM if you are interested. They are not heavy loads, it is about penetration not blowing up the world.

i have a mkv safari 460wby, drop box mag, accubrake fitted an aimpoint 9000L, really nice rifle, not cheap but worth it, to me any way. Have loaded some 550gr woodleigh rnsp for plinking using RL 17.

i did own a mkv dgr 460wby, gee do they kick, with or without the brake, they are too ;ight weight for that cal, and the 24"bbl certainly lifts. it was one of the hardest recoiling rifles i ever owned. i sold it......the weight of the mkv safari is good, topped with the talley mts and aimpoint is a great setup, i have the option of open sights too, but will only use it on aussie buff, so will keep with the aimpoint for now...........if you can get a 460wby, they are a good thing, load to suit yourself and to what game you intend to hunt, it punches like the .500 cals, plenty of pills

quote:

Originally posted by cc:
i have a mkv safari 460wby, drop box mag, accubrake fitted an aimpoint 9000L, really nice rifle, not cheap but worth it, to me any way...

To me too. Those Weatherby Safaris really are nice - beautiful rifles, to my eye. I know it is fashionable to pooh-pooh any Weatherby because they are not CF-Mauser type, but if they work, they work.

I had my good friend George Hoffmans custom 460 Wby for sometime trying to sell it for him..Shot it a bit before I sold it to a fine gentleman on AR..

It was a nice gun for sure and the recoil wasn't kind to me by any means, but like most big bores I got by with it. It would be a good back up rifle but I think recoil recovery is something overlooked by most folks, and in a switch its important IMO..Seems I was looking at blue sky on every shot and the rifle was sideways in my hands. I think a little more noise and a muzzle brake would have been helpful. I know some cringe at muzzle brakes, but if they lend themselves to better shooting and taking into account big bores are dangerously loud with or without a brake then the are a viable option..I would rather my ears "rang" for 10 minutes, than get my butt stompped into mush!

You can use ear protection on the range and during a hunt those around you have been furnished with fingers that the good Lord gave them to stick in there ears another