About .460 Rowland
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to talk about .460 Rowland. This cartridge has allowed for shooters to nearly emulate .44 Magnum performance in a semi-automatic platform. Our goal is to provide a brief overview of the cartridge while delving into traits, features, use cases, and more. Now, let’s talk about .460 Rowland.
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What is .460 Rowland?
The .460 Rowland was introduced in 1997 by Johnny Rowland and Clarck Custom Guns. Development was spurred by the desire to produce a semi-automatic pistol cartridge which was capable of mirroring the ballistic performance of the .44 Magnum. The resulting cartridge features identical projectiles to its parent case, making it a true .45 caliber cartridge. Additionally, with the exception of an increased case length, the case dimensions between the .460 Rowland and .45 ACP are nearly identical. When compared to its parent case, the .460 Rowland boasts considerably higher pressures than the .45 ACP. While the maximum pressure of a .45 ACP load according to SAAMI is 21,000 psi, the .460 Rowland boasts a maximum pressure rating of 40,000 psi. The resulting cartridge is a semi-automatic pistol round which is capable of providing ballistic performance similar to that of the .44 Magnum.
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Is .460 Rowland Interchangeable with Other Calibers?
Though they share similar names, the 460 Rowland is not interchangeable with the .460 Smith & Wesson cartridge. The .460 Smith & Wesson is designed for use in revolvers and features a considerably longer case and prominent rim. By contrast, the .460 Rowland is much shorter and features a rimless design. While these two cartridges are not interchangeable, there is a possibility for interchangeability between .460 Rowland and .45 ACP. Due to their shorter length and nearly identical case dimensions, .45 ACP ammo can be safely used in .460 Rowland chambers. The inverse is not possible as .460 Rowland ammo is too long for .45 ACP chambers, a feature of its design meant to prevent accidental loading. Simply put, .460 Rowland firearms will be able to make use of .45 ACP ammo due to its dimensions and lower pressure.
Conversion Potential
Shooters have the potential to take existing .45 ACP handguns and convert them to accept .460 Rowland ammunition. These conversions are available from 460Rowland.com and are available for popular semi-automatic handguns chambered in .45 ACP. Conversion kits are available for 1911s of various barrel lengths, multiple .45 ACP chambered Glocks, and FN FNX 45 pistols. Previously, conversion kits were also offered for handguns such as the HK USP 45. Notably, .460Rowland.com states that their kits are capable of handling not only .45 ACP and .460 Rowland ammunition, but also .45 Super loadings. The company states that the shooter may need to experiment with recoil springs in order to reliably shoot lower pressure rounds. All in all, end users can convert many popular handgun models to access this caliber.
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How Available is .460 Rowland Ammo?
At this point in time, .460 Rowland is harder to get ahold of than more contemporary calibers. This is to say that it is more difficult to acquire .460 Rowland than it is to acquire ammunition for calibers such as 9mm Luger, .45 ACP, and .40 Smith & Wesson. Of course, this is often the case for cartridges that are recent entries to the market. At this point, the cartridge sees support from ammunition manufacturers such as Underwood Ammo. These loadings are commonly found in jacketed hollow point (JHP) or jacketed soft point (JSP) form.
While loadings for .460 Rowland may not be consistently available on local shelves, there are things shooters can do to stay stocked up. Like many calibers, .460 Rowland is available in individual and bulk ammo quantities. If one elects to buy bulk .460 Rowland, they can effectively build up a larger stock of ammunition. Of course, shooters can also choose to shop for ammo online, effectively expanding their potential ammo offerings. If one chooses to buy .460 Rowland ammo online, they are no longer limited by what they can find locally. All in all, one will be able to find .460 Rowland if they are looking for it, despite current limited support for the cartridge.
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How Available are Firearms Chambered in .460 Rowland?
Like .460 Rowland ammo, firearms in the caliber are also less common than other offerings. This is to say that firearms chambered in .460 Rowland are less common than offerings in calibers such as 9mm Luger, .45 ACP, 10mm Auto, and even .50 AE. Firearms in mainstream calibers tend to be available at most places where ammo is sold, something which is not the case with .460 Rowland chambered firearms. At this point in time, aside from converting an existing handgun, one’s main source for .460 Rowland firearms is 460Rowland.com. The company offers converted 1911s, Glocks, and FN FNX 45 handguns in .460 Rowland for sale. Beyond these offerings, one can potentially encounter firearms and conversion kits for the caliber on the secondhand market. Simply put, options are limited when it comes to .460 Rowland firearms.
What is .460 Rowland Used For?
The .460 Rowland is well-suited for a variety of use cases. Like other calibers, the .460 Rowland is well-suited to recreational shooting and plinking. Shooting things such as steel targets and other types of reactive targets is quite entertaining with a potent cartridge like the .460 Rowland. Of course, the powerful cartridge is also well-suited to defensive use, wilderness protection, and hunting use cases.
Like the .50 AE and .44 Magnum, the .460 Rowland’s staggering muzzle energy and potential effect on target makes the cartridge suitable for stopping threats and being used for handgun hunting applications. Of course, one will want to utilize proper ammunition and practices to ensure an ethical and optimal hunt. All in all, the cartridge is versatile and well-suited to a variety of roles.
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Conclusion
At the end of the day, the .460 Rowland represents a potent cartridge well-suited to the needs of many shooters. The magnum performance of the cartridge makes it well suited for recreational shooting, handgun hunting, and even defensive use. We here at True Shot Ammo offer .460 Rowland ammo for sale in addition to our other offerings. Whether you are looking to buy .460 Rowland ammunition or are after another type of ammo, we here at True Shot Ammo have you covered. As always, happy shooting.
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Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at [email protected] for more ammo options.
