The .460 S&W Magnum Bolt Action Rifle Project: Part 11: Test Firing

HOLY SHIT IT ACTUALLY WORKS! WITHOUT BLOWING UP EVEN!

I know you chucklefucks want pictures first. Too bad, you aren’t writing this.

I took the rifle to the range over my lunch break. It was a wonderful day out, as you’ll see in the pictures. :p

I grabbed a bunch of loads from my Ruger Super Redhawk as well as a new load I threw together. 48gr H110 behind a 200gr Hornady FTX with a CCI 250 primer in a 460 S&W Case. From left to right we have a light 45LC load, my 444 Marlin based Shotshell. A 45LC +P load with the 200gr Hornady FTX bullet behind 27.4gr H110, a 454 Casull with a 240gr XTP on it, and that new 460 S&W load.

Here she is at the range I’ll be damned if she didn’t work! I setup at the last bench at the 50 yard range. I shot 3 of those light 45LCs before someone asked me what I was doing. By the time I got done explaining it to him I had everyone at the pistol range surrounding my bench checking it out. They all watched me shoot the 45LCs, the 45LC+Ps, the 454 Casulls, and 3 of the 460 S&Ws. The 460 loads were zipping at 2694fps. I am told that the max load is near 53grains, I'm sure I could get close to 2850fps if I were to load one that hot. Then I let one of them brave enough to shoot it try it out. He had a lot of fun. Then I shot the last load standing up. Someone else even took video of both the other guy and me shooting those last 2 rounds. I guess I was "that guy" at the range today. It felt kinda nice...

My experience with the rifle suggests I don’t really need to make it heavier by going with a wood stock. It’s just about perfect as a balance between light handling, easy all day carry, and weight to absorb recoil. Those light 460 S&W loads were more of a push and less of a pounding on the shoulder and I could easily bend at the hips back a bit to absorb recoil. I also like the polymer stock on there for the all-weather nature. This was created in the guise of a guide rifle, so I’m going to leave it as-is. Also, I like the 3-9x40 scope on there with the high QWR rings, so I’m leaving it. I was going to let you guys vote on optics, but that isn't happening. I’m going to get iron sights in addition to the scope, and that will be what the next chapter is about.

Visually I like it as well. Stainless Bolt and Stainless barrel on black stock, black scope, and black receiver. It looks like I meant it that way, even though I would have gladly went with the original black bolt if I didn’t break it like a moron.

Questions? Comments? Feel free to reply below!

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