The .460 S&W Magnum Bolt Action Rifle Project

I decided to do fun things with money. I’m going to make a journal with some photos and good informative links on a project I’m working on, a bolt action .460 S&W Magnum rifle I’ll explain my thoughts, reasons, and progress on the project. This will be a multi part story, and I’ll try to keep links to the other parts at the bottom of each post.

My wife and I recently sold a rental property. With the capital gains from that rental property we decided that we’d each take $1000 and spend it however each of us wants. I like turning dollars into loud noises, I knew it would be easy for me to spend. Luckily I have a wife that isn’t into spending money…She plans to slowly buy some clothes over the course of the next few months. After 4 months she’s only $100 into it. Maybe she’s wanting to lose more weight after we had our last child…I don’t know…

Last fall I recently finished up all of the loads I wanted to work up for my .308 Winchester Savage 11 HOGHUNTER. I’ve modified it heavily with Williams Firesight Ghost Ring irons, an Athlon Optics Argos BTR Rifle Scope 6-24x50mm with 30mm Tube and First Focal Side Focus Illuminated Reticle Matte with Mil adjustments, and a Bell and Carlson Varmint/Tactical Short Action Stock, and extended tactical bolt handle. It’s short, stout, and stiff. The 20” Medium profile barrel is very accurate, giving me Sub MoA performance with my 178 ELD-X/Varget/Lapua/CCI BR2 load. I’ve become familiar with the Savage action and have looked at maybe upgrading the barrel. I won’t, I feel Savage barrels might shoot better than I can so far. So, instead of investing $1000 into shooting practice (who’s got time to be practical with 2 young kids?) I figured I should scratch a new itch.

A year ago I decided I wanted to reload a different cartridge. I already reload 40 S&W, .223 Remington, and .308 Winchester. The only thing that would be vast different would be something big bore, rimmed, and straight walled. That Walmart Clearance happened last fall and I scored a Marlin 1895 in 45-70 Govt. for ~$300. It was the base model and sure did act like it. The fit and finish just wasn’t where I wanted to go plus ot would be the only gun that shot that caliber, so I lost interest in that particular rifle and caliber, but not the concept of a big bore, and sold it on Armslist. I then gravitated to the 45 revolver calibers. I liked the idea of having a big bore handgun that I could legally hunt with in my state (as opposed to shotguns and muzzle loaders) that could possibly be used in a rifle as well should I want to. With my $1000 from the rental sale I picked up a Ruger Super Redhawk 7.5” in 454 Casull from kygunco.com. I’d reload hunting loads in 454 Casull or 45 Colt+P, plinking rounds in 45 colt, and Shotshells with .444 Marlin cases that will fuck up some snakes and rodents on the property should they ever show their face. .45 caliber shotshells in such a deep and long chamber hold quite a bit of shot, almost to full .410 bore levels.

With a very functional and durable handgun I then decided that I wanted to build a 460 S&W rifle, and also be able to shoot 454 Casull and 45 Colt from it as well. Knowing the Savage Action it would be pretty easy for me to do a lot of work at home. I could shoot all the same ammo out of it with a barrel swap, a bigger bolt face, and some magazine modifications. With the purchase of the SRH in .454 Casull it has begun. Next up: I need to figure out what I don’t know about what I want to do and put some parts and a project together.

Part 1: The Beginning

Part 2: Proving the concept and making the parts list

Part 3: Rifle Acquisition

Part 4: Modify Magazine for rimmed cartridges

Part 5: Ordering the custom 460 S&W Chambered barrel

Part 6: New Bolt Face

Part 7: More Fuckups and a Completed Bolt

Part 8: Fine tuning

Part 9: New Magazine

Part 10: Barrel Installation

Part 11: Test Fire

Part 12: Iron Sight selection and installation

Part 13: Optics or not?