The Firearm Blog

In May (2008) I blogged that Winchester were going to offer reduced recoil .460 S&W.

features a 250-grain jacketed hollow point bullet, a muzzle velocity of 1,450 feet per second (fps) and an impressive 1,517 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.

Muzzle energy is a function of bullet weight and velocity. I did not notice it at the time but those figures are impossible. I am sure it was a typo, but I am surprised that it has taken Winchester over 6 months to issue a correct press release!

From the “new” press release:

features a 250-grain jacketed hollow point bullet, a muzzle velocity of 1,450 feet per second (fps) and an impressive 1,167 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.

So it generates 50% less recoil and has 50% less power. I don’t see the point, might as well use a .44 magnum, but the game being shot probably won’t notice the difference.

This is crazy and really goes against all firearm safety rules.

Still, they do prove that a .308 is not enough to knock you down, although it makes perfect sense.

Obviously the shock and internal damage of a bullet entering the body with no energy absorbed and distributed by a vest is going to have much greater effect.

Winchester has launched a reduced recoil .260 S&W for hunting. They claim it has 50% less recoil than a regular .460 S&W cartridge. The reduce recoil comes at a cost of approx. 34% less muzzle energy.

The press release:

For 2008, Winchester Ammunition offers a reduced recoil load for the .460 S&W Magnum, allowing shooters more pleasurable target sessions and hunting options. A proven big bore hunting caliber, the .460 S&W provides excellent energy transfer and deep penetration. The new Winchester Super-X® .460 S&W Reduced Recoil round features a 250-grain jacketed hollow point bullet, a muzzle velocity of 1,450 feet per second (fps) and an impressive 1,517 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.

Engineered to offer nearly 50-percent reduction in recoil compared to full power loads, while still retaining enough energy for hunting at normal handgun distances, the new .460 S&W Reduced Recoil load is an ideal choice for deer-sized game, predators and target shooting. The more manageable recoil also allows hunters the benefit of quicker follow-up shots.

The reduced load still has significantly more muzzle energy than the .44 Magnum.

Left to right: .460 S&W Magnum, .454 Casull,
.44 Magnum, .45ACP, .22LR