460 Weatherby opinions?

[Axle2010]

Had a 460 mark V and it wasn’t for me. There are several things about the rifle I don’t care for but others like - to each their own.
Most of the Mark V’s have the bowling ball high gloss finish (euromark model doesn’t but I haven’t seen one in 460 - they might exist, just haven’t seen one myself).

The mark v is a push feed - many arguments about push feed vs. CRF for DG - I’m sure there are multiple threads on this.

I’ve read many articles and heard from PHs about their view on Wby rifles - there is still a stigma about hunters who bring them on safari. Perception is they are a new hunter with money who probably can’t shoot well. That’s easy enough to prove wrong, just stating the stigma exists.

The last is all of the wby 460’s I’ve seen have the muzzle brake - not ideal for hunting scenarios with your PH right next to you.

If you like the rifle and really want one to have one, buy it. Most used 460s come with a factory box of ammo - 19 of 20 rounds still there….

I agree 100% on the high gloss, that's why I wish it was offered in the same oil rubbed finish as my Vanguard. One reason I'm looking at the Mark V is that my Vanguard fits me so well I was really shocked at how much the 300wm does NOT kick in it. Honestly my 300 doesn't kick any more than my Tikka 308. You said push feed, I thought the Mark V was a crf action? I def don't have money to waste on expensive rifles for the helluvit that's why it's rather only buyb once so ibask you fine folks' opinions first. If I do go 460 I wonder if I could get a nice model 70 chambered in it...

 

[calling4life]

You know Krish is selling a 505 Gibbs right now...

You can load those to modern pressures and get like 2600fps out of a 600gr bullet.

That's the big boy 500 caliber territory, you can also keep the loading down to the 2100 fps area, or wherever in between.

I run a 458 lott, not only that, I do so with degenerative disc disease, multiple herniated discs in my neck, the rest are bulging, severe arthritis.

I made the gun work by adding weight and a brake.

So, if you want the caliber, get it, you can make the gun work, new custom fit stock, add weight, add a brake if it's your thing. Of course it may be fine without. Point is, it shouldn't be something that is impossible for you to deal with.

Tradeoffs tend to be obvious, adding weight means you have more weight to carry, to some it's the end of the world, to some, like me, I don't mind. Brake will mean more noise makes it back to you and those around you, muzzle blast for those to your side. Wear hearing protection, you should anyways...
Custom stock... cost tends to be the penalty here.
Could down-load as well... not my thing, may as well just get a Lott instead.

It actually looks like there is some factory 460 Weatherby ammo in stock around the web, if you want the gun, get it, then it may be smart to buy up that ammo whilst it exists.

The .458 diameter has perhaps an unbeatable lineup of bullets, and our normal 500s carry a very high sectional density but you can step up even more if you feel you need, you don't, but..., then you can run a 300gr TSX at 3200 fps for coyotes.

It's hard to rag on .458 territory

 

[Axle2010]

if you feel you need, you don't, but..., then you can run a 300gr TSX at 3200 fps for coyotes.

300 grains at 3200?! Good God that's insane. And damn sounds fun! I've never looked at the Gibbs assuming that it only comes in doubles which are out of my budget.

BTW added weight doesn't bother me much either. Guns and bows both just seem to hold a bit more steady when every errant breeze can't blow them around. My hunting bow topped out at 8.5 lbs after adding brass weight stacks

 

[calling4life]

2800-2950fps out of a Lott
460 Weatherby can push things hard if you want, I don't know that anybody does it with those light bullets, but it'd be interesting to see. Just keep it to very thin-skinned game.

Point was, you have a ton of options if you reload, most will stick to 450-500gr bullets and that's wise for the game for which these things were really intended.

And the 505 Gibbs, like the 500 Jeff, is generally run in bolt guns, Krish is selling his 505 Gibbs CZ 550, same gun I run but in 458 lott. Controlled round feed bolt gun.

Mostly joking about recommending such, but if one had the desire, you could do far worse.

 

[tarbe]

The 460 is a dream for the handloader.

My first batch of familiarization loads made up for the 460 I just bought included 300gr at 2000, 350gr at 2,100, 500gr at 2,250 and 550gr at 1,925.

All of the loads exhibited very consistent velocities (all loads were chronographed).

The 460 is like that 1,000 lb-ft torque-monster diesel. You can loaf along at 18+ mpg running to the beach or haul an 18,000 pound load up a mountain.

The key is using the right powders and bullet for the application at hand.

I LOVE loading for the 450 Dakota/Rigby/460 Wby trio. Much prefer them over the straight wall cartridges, and yes, I have loaded 458 Win since the 1980s and the Lott just more recently. I doubt I will ever go straight again, lol.

 

[meigsbucks]

My $.02 isn’t going to contribute much as I think most of the previous posts have given you great insight. I agree with @375 Ruger Fan and others, shoot the .375 and see how you feel about its recoil. I have a .375 and a .416 Ruger and can’t discern much difference between the two. However, I also have a .458 Lott and that is a significant increase in recoil.
Although I don’t own a .460, I have shot one and it definitely got my attention (Not as violent as a .378 WBY). The owner of that rifle would stand there and fire round after round. It all depends on the shooter.

 

[Axle2010]

The 460 is a dream for the handloader.

My first batch of familiarization loads made up for the 460 I just bought included 300gr at 2000, 350gr at 2,100, 500gr at 2,250 and 550gr at 1,925.

All of the loads exhibited very consistent velocities (all loads were chronographed).

The 460 is like that 1,000 lb-ft torque-monster diesel. You can loaf along at 18+ mpg running to the beach or haul an 18,000 pound load up a mountain.

The key is using the right powders and bullet for the application at hand.

I LOVE loading for the 450 Dakota/Rigby/460 Wby trio. Much prefer them over the straight wall cartridges, and yes, I have loaded 458 Win since the 1980s and the Lott just more recently. I doubt I will ever go straight again, lol.

Mr Tarbe if I do go the 460 route do you mind if I bother you for some load data? Sounds like you've got a lot of good stuff already figured out.

 

[Axle2010]

Meigsbucks that won't be a problem, when that thing comes in I'll be shooting as much as I can afford. I'll be looking for the best load data too if anybody has any to volunteer...

 

[tarbe]

Mr Tarbe if I do go the 460 route do you mind if I bother you for some load data? Sounds like you've got a lot of good stuff already figured out.

I will!

Of course, it will come with all the usual warnings and disclaimers.

My rifle, while not a Weatherby, does have the spec Weatherby freebore...

If you want to plink and shoot coyotes and deer with your 460, start looking now for some 5744 powder, if you don't already have it. That big case is a bit particular when trying to load down to 45-70 levels. I have a lot of it as it is very useful in a wide range of cartridges.

For the 80% and up loads, you can easily get by with 3031 and 4350, or very similar.

My buffalo load in the 450 Dakota used IMR 4350 and the 550gr Woodleigh...

 

[RR 314]

I have never shot one of the big Nitros (and never will) , but the Lott and 10.57 Meteor are about all I care for. I shot my dad’s .460 Wby for the first time when I was 16. Shot it a couple more times in my 20s and 30s. Now in my 50s and I won’t touch it with factory loads.

 

[TTundra]

For the 80% and up loads, you can easily get by with 3031 and 4350, or very similar.

Between those two powders that's most of what I've used from 300 grain all the way to 600 grn Barnes. Just such a capable and versatile cartridge to load with.

I was so low on 4350 that I made a gut call to order a few boxes from Hendershots to ensure I'd have enough for this hunt.

 

[Northern Shooter]

A few recoil numbers to consider.

A 180 grain 300 WM produces 26 ft-lbs of recoil out of a 8lb rifle.

A 300 grain 375H&H produces 37.3 ft-lbs out of a 9lb rifle.

A 500 grain 460 Weatherby Magnum produces 100 ft-lbs out of a 11 lb rifle.

I think you may be skipping a few steps there in-between.

Consider splitting the difference with a 416 or 458.

 

[TTundra]

A few recoil numbers to consider.

A 180 grain 300 WM produces 26 ft-lbs of recoil out of a 8lb rifle.

A 300 grain 375H&H produces 37.3 ft-lbs out of a 9lb rifle.

A 500 grain 460 Weatherby Magnum produces 100 ft-lbs out of a 11 lb rifle.

I think you may be skipping a few steps there in-between.

Consider splitting the difference with a 416 or 458.

While numbers don't lie, you do not need to load it to max, or near max, which is likely what that recoil force is calculated at.

This also doesnt depict how a proper fit can dissipate felt recoil. This past week I fired my 460 working rapid reloads, 3-4 rounds as fast as I could, probably a full box. Left that range feeling fine. Then proceeded to shoot my father's Ruger Hawkeye African in 9.3x62, which was a terrible fit for me. After the 4th or 5th round, and trying to 'make' the fit better, I gave up. It was actually unpleasant for me to fire more. Going back to a whitworth 375h&h (heavier with longer lop and wider butt) felt effortless.

I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but it cannot be understated how much a well fitted, or fitting, stock can make every cartridge more enjoyable to shoot

 

[Nevada Mike]

I would not care to pack an 11 lb.+ rifle around Africa. And if you're going to load down to 458 WM or Lott level, why not just get the WM or Lott?

I have nothing against the 460 Wby Magnum, I just don't see an application fitting this cartridge.

 

[tarbe]

I would not care to pack an 11 lb.+ rifle around Africa. And if you're going to load down to 458 WM or Lott level, why not just get the WM or Lott?

I have nothing against the 460 Wby Magnum, I just don't see an application fitting this cartridge.

I think people buy large V-8 engines, or diesels, so when they need the torque, it is there.

No one other than a pro needs all that power, all the time. But if you are willing to pay the price in powder burned and mass carried in order to have the choice, go for it.

I was happy to tote my 11.5 pound rifle around Zimbabwe hunting Buffalo and Eland. I never once wished I had a smaller, lighter rifle.

Now, if I was hiking back into unit 20A in the Frank Church...lighter for sure!

 

[grand veneur]

I would not care to pack an 11 lb.+ rifle around Africa. And if you're going to load down to 458 WM or Lott level, why not just get the WM or Lott?

I have nothing against the 460 Wby Magnum, I just don't see an application fitting this cartridge.

Downloading to the level of the 458 Win Mag or 458 Lott make sense because, with the cartridge 460 WBY-Magnum, you can achieve what the other two ballistic promise but often don't achieve in practice.

If you don't see applications for the cartridge 460 WBY-Magnum, which ones do all cartridges from caliber 458 have ?

I am always amazed why so many negative stories are written about the cartridge 460 WBY-Magnum. At the same time, there are reports about nonsensical cartridges like the 577 Tyrannosaurus or 600 overkill for example, and almost never with negative intentions.

The cartridge 460 WBY-Magnum is a victim of the time when it came onto the market. At that time the big game hunting was at a low point and seemed to have no future. Production of big bore cartridges was increasingly discontinued.

If the cartridge 460 WBY-Magnum were to come onto the market nowadays, people would judge it very differently.

 

[Dewald]

Also, correct me if I am wrong, but I believe Wayne Grant carries or carried a .460 Wby as a stopping rifle, particularly on lion hunts. I read "Drums of The Morning" and distinctly remember a photo of said rifle. I'd look it up, but I gave the book away to a former AH member.

He does indeed use a .460 Wby for backup. There is a photo of the rifle in “Into The Thorns” and it is also mentioned in “Drums of the Morning”. He mentions hunting for a safari operator who used one with devastating effect on elephant, and then getting one himself.

The other old time PH that owned one was Adelino Serras Pirez. It would be interesting to know which other PHs use a .460 Wby.

 

[grand veneur]

In more than thirty years of seasonal big game hunting I have only once met one PH, not in Africa, who carried a Weatherby Mark V rifle caliber 460 WBY-Magnum as a backup weapon. I shot with this rifle and got to know the cartridge 460 WBY-Magnum in practice.

I can understand why few PH carry such a weapon for the backup. The weight and length of the rifles caliber 460 WBY-Magnum are an inherent problem and makes those not very usable in a dangerous situation at close range. The advantage of the cartridge 460 WBY-Magnum is the energy reserves that these cartridge has and therefore, due to their external ballistic, allow shots at longer distances. At close range, all this energy is not necessary. My old Brevex rifle caliber 460 WBY-Magnum would not be my first choice for the backup either. The older I get and the heavier the rifle gets.

 

[colorado]

I know they're pretty far apart but I've been wanting a 416 Rigby for years for absolutely no reason and here more recently the 460 just keeps making me look. I've got a 375 on its way to me now so I don't NEED either one for the Buff I'll one day hunt but I've always been fascinated with the big bore mean rifles. I know the 460 is nowhere near as popular as the 416 but is it really that bad? I see some videos where guys are almost in tears but then several saying "it's not as bad as expected" after the shot. So from owners or those of you with actual experience; is it a good useful round with a bad rep or is it just an overpowered monster useful only for elephant and t-rex?

My opinion is a 505 Gibbs, or 500 Jeffery would serve you better and have the added aura of 1920s East Africa.

 

[Northern Shooter]

My opinion is a 505 Gibbs, or 500 Jeffery would serve you better and have the added aura of 1920s East Africa.

I haven't been able to find the felt recoil of the 505Gibbs or 500 Jeffery on the recoil tables. Do you know how they compare to the 460 WB?