Just picked up a mint .460 Weatherby Mag. Direct from the Custom Shop, it appears un-fired. From my limited research I find several of the PH's with which I have hunted and have a relationship speak extremely favorably about the .460. Pierre van der Walt in his superb book Africa's Dangerous Game Cartriges devotes 11 pages to the .460. It seems unanimous that all factory ammo sucks producing heavy recoil and short life for the cases. However with good hand loads the .460 turn into a fantastic rifle. Certainly not a double but right among the top of the bolt action food chain.

Does anyone out in AR have any good loads for the .460 that the will share? Or for that matter any information would be appreciated.

Cheers,

GOB

115 grains of any of the 4350's (prefer H4350 Extreme) with any 450 to 500-grain bullet you want (prefer Barnes TSX or an FN solid) will give
about 2500 fps and more than enough "TKO" for anything you want to do,
period.

This is the magical powder charge for the 460 Wby, 115 grains of H4350 with any 450 to 500-grain bullet, the Riflecrank Internationale Permanente load.
Just like 105 grains of H4831 is for the .416 Rigby, with 370 to 410-grain bullets, the Buhmiller-O'Connor Load.

You will not go wrong.

The nice thing about the 460 Wby is that you don't have to use it in maxed out format. The case is large enough to propel a 500gr bullet to 2,600 fps or better, but it can also be loaded down to 458 Win or even 45-70 ballistics. The load described by RIP above would serve you well on the largest of animals, and a 300gr Barnes could handle all the larger Plains Game at any range you feel comfortable shooting.

Sir,

Thank you very much, that shall be my first load. I have switched from Barnes (which worked very well) in my .416 Ruger and .470 NE to North Fork flat solids and their cupped. The reason being is the copper fouling is cut by at least 70%. I do have plenty of Barnes to try and shall give them a go as well.

I sighted in a 460 with factory ammo ONCE. Far more than I cared to shoot again. Like others said you can load it down and still have a heck of a great stopper.

Load the .460 why to 2400 fps with a 500 gr bullet and it will work beautifully for you. Rips load is a good one.-Rob

Also a great candidate for using the 600gr 458 bullet, with enough case capacity to get it moving right along :-)

VihtaVouri N-160 works well with 500 grain projectiles at full velocity. IMR 7828 works with 500 grain bullets at lower velocity, temperature, and recoil. You do not need 2580 (that is what 500 grain factory loads will chronograph). Anything over 2400 fps can cause over penetration. IMR 7828 will give you loads in the 2400 fps range. Get a Lee factory crimp die, use two different seaters, one for softs and one for solids, and anneal after each use.

quote:

Originally posted by GOB:
Sir,

Thank you very much, that shall be my first load. I have switched from Barnes (which worked very well) in my .416 Ruger and .470 NE to North Fork flat solids and their cupped. The reason being is the copper fouling is cut by at least 70%. I do have plenty of Barnes to try and shall give them a go as well.

Excellent.
The North Fork FP/CP/SP is even better than the Barnes for the reasons you stated, and likely to be more accurate.
Get a feel for the load with the TSX then final zero with the North Forks, then go hunting.

115 grains of H4350 Extreme and any North Fork or Barnes TSX of 450 to 500 grains.
Whatever shoots best in your rifle.

Thanks for the very sound advice, if there is some way that we may be of assistance please let us know.

I have never used a Weaterby other than in custom .300 mag. But the 460 has always interested me and from everything I read if you stay away from factory loads and cut it to pragmatic levels it is a superb short and long range African Cartridge.

Well I have the rifle and am sorting out the bits and pieces to make it into a real gun. I shall bed, the rifle with pillars ( the rifle is not delivered yet ) place barrel band and proper sights. Remove the plastic finish adjust the stock to fit me for cast and pull. Apply a proper hand rubbed oil finish, plug the foreword swivel device and fit a proper swivel mount to the rear. I shall Al's make a leather covered pad for it as well. I should be able to do this in plenty of time before we head to Zim and the BVC with our groups.

Where are you located and do you use a .460 yourself?

Respectfully,

Glenn.

bland@epix.net

Www.woodcockhill.com

GOB,

KY stands for "Kentucky."

That load info is definitely a good place to start and finish load development.
It is the consensus of many here, and I have loaded and shot it enough to agree.
I once shot a water buffalo with a 460 Wby, that is all.
Too many toys to play with them all to a proper degree ...