buckhtr77

Go to www.hornady.com and check out the ballistics on the S&W 500 and the S&W 460. Then compare those ballistics to the 44 Mag. There is no comparison when it comes to speed and knock down power. With the 460 you can shoot the 454 Casull load and the 45 Colt. I've shot the 500 numerous times sighting one in with my father. It's not that bad.You just have to be readyand hold on with both hands. The 460 is supposed to be tame compared to the 500. I'm currently looking as well and I'm pretty sure it's going to be the 460 for me since my dad has the 500. I've read and heard from people the kick of the 44 is about like the 500.I've shot the 500 in the 10.5 inch model. You can getboth models in shorter barrel lengths to make it more user friendly. Think about it, twice the speed and twice the kinetic energy. I read a very good article on the 460 in the airport last month in one of the well known shooting magazines. I wish I could remember the magazine at this moment. Perhaps you might be able to find it and give it a read. In that article they shot the 454 out of the S&W 460 and said it was the most tame 454 they'd ever shot. Both the 460 and 500 are very, very impressive. You won't be sorry.

chma

I have Ruger Super Redhawks in .44 Mag and 454 Casull they are both accurate and easy to shoot but they are not lightweight but they will shop anything on the planet chad

James B

Yes the 500 S&W is more powerful than the 44 Mag. However when you are talking hunting calibers for deer, the 500 is more than anyone would ever need. They are not pleasant to shoot and you better compare prices both of the guns and the ammo. When is enough enough???? The size and weight of the 500, you might as well just carry a rifle.

JagMagMan

I'm usually overkill, but for revolver hunting, I haven't seen anything that I could kill better, with anything bigger than the .44 Mag.!
More blast, and more $$$!

I've got a .44Ruger Super Redhawk, and love it!
Of course, I don't hunt in bear country! But until the bigger calibers came out, the .44 was "excellent" bear protection!

James B

The 44 is still hard to beat as a backup. Recoil is light enough for follow-up shots and a 300 Plus grain hard cast bullet is a potent weapon. The 500 S&W is barely carryable and for me a carbine rifle would be easier to carry and get into action. I have tried them but find the 500 S&W of no real practicle use.

JagMagMan

Thats the key! "Practicality!
In most cases, the .500 has NO practical advantage over the .44!

Rammer

I've shot plenty of rounds thru my buddies S&W Custom Shop 500 with the shorter barrel and muzzle break. Gun shoots like a dream. The recoil wasn't bad at all in my opinion (not sure on what the ammo was, but it was some of the lighter stuff), I'd say it recoiled less than any 44mag that I've shot.

I just don't want to spend that kind of money on a revolver that will only get limited use. I really do like the new 460SW, but until their prices come down some I can't justify it.

I still have never shot a 454, how do those compare in the mix of the 44, 460 an 500s for recoil?

Ammo availablity is no concern to me, as I will load up 500rds to begin with

bigcountry

I shot the 460 a few weeks ago. Kicked less than my Mod 29 44 mag with handloads. It was very heavy but very handy. I want one. James, James, James, you still don't understand. Its not about need. Its about the feeling.

James B

Not so in this case. I have used the 44 Magnum to take most all of the NA big game. Its a perfect mix of weight size and power. To me its the most praticle choice in a big game hand gun. Any more weight and size makes no sense to me. Need has nothing to do with anything. I don't need 99 percent of the guns that I own. I could get by very well with my BPS, My 700 270 my K frame 357 and my Stevens 22 rim fire. When I am commenting on guns, its from my expierence and of course like everyone else, my personel preference.

buckhtr77

Sure these guns may be more expensive. But compare the ballistics and you'll see there is no comparison. You can buy a 500 for $300 more than the gun in the original post.Also it sounds too me like this guy buys his guns for the long run. The original poster wants a pistol that can shoot 50 yards, pack a great punch, and be able to use as a defense against bears and Mt. Lions. In my opinion (Just my opinion of course), if something was looking at me that I knew could eat me for lunch I'd like to have the biggest darn thing I can shoot (A show stopper). And trust me if you can shoot the 44 you can shoot the 500 (They're not that bad). Weshot a 1.5 inch group at 37 yards with the 500, so I'm very confident you could shoot it beyond the required 50 yards. I've seen several hunting shows with guys carrying the Smith 500 with the 8 3/8 barrel. Find someone that has the S&W pistols and give them a try, andcompare the ballistics.

I'll take the S&W.