.460 Rowland Ammo
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.460 Rowland: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Pistol, Revolver |
| Primer Type | Large Pistol |
| Used For | Self-defense, Hunting, Competition |
| Case Design | Rimless, Straight |
| Year Introduced | 1996 |
.460 Rowland: At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Extremely powerful for a semi-automatic pistol round
- ✔ Can be used in modified 1911-style pistols
- ✔ Effective for hunting medium to large game
- ✔ Offers significant stopping power for self-defense
- ✔ Provides magnum revolver performance in a semi-auto platform
Cons
- ✘ Significant recoil, challenging for inexperienced shooters
- ✘ Requires specialized or modified firearms
- ✘ Ammunition is less common and more expensive than standard calibers
- ✘ Overpenetration risk in self-defense situations
- ✘ Limited firearm options compared to more common calibers
.460 Rowland: The Powerful Handgun Cartridge
The .460 Rowland is a high-performance handgun cartridge designed to significantly boost the power of .45 ACP firearms. Developed by Johnny Rowland in 1996, this cartridge offers magnum-level performance from a semi-automatic platform. The .460 Rowland is known for its impressive velocity, energy, and stopping power, making it popular among handgun enthusiasts and hunters seeking a potent round for large game.
Development and Design
The .460 Rowland was created to address the limitations of the .45 ACP in terms of power and velocity. Johnny Rowland designed the cartridge to function in modified 1911-style pistols and other .45 ACP firearms with minimal alterations. The case of the .460 Rowland is 0.065 inches longer than the .45 ACP, preventing it from being chambered in standard .45 ACP firearms for safety reasons.
The .460 Rowland operates at significantly higher pressures than the .45 ACP, typically around 40,000 PSI compared to the .45 ACP's 21,000 PSI. This increased pressure results in velocities approaching those of the .44 Magnum, but from a semi-automatic platform. The cartridge can propel 185-grain bullets at velocities over 1,500 fps, and 230-grain bullets at around 1,300 fps, generating muzzle energies well over 700 ft-lbs.
Applications and Usage
The .460 Rowland has found a niche among handgun hunters and those seeking a powerful self-defense round. Its high velocity and energy make it effective against large game, including deer and bear. Some law enforcement and security personnel have also adopted the cartridge for its increased stopping power in critical situations.
While the .460 Rowland offers significant advantages in power, it comes with increased recoil and muzzle flash. Firearms chambered for this cartridge typically require modifications such as stronger recoil springs, heavier slides, and compensators to manage the increased pressures and recoil forces.
Timeline of .460 Rowland Development:
.460 Rowland Performance Characteristics
The .460 Rowland offers significant performance improvements over the .45 ACP, approaching .44 Magnum levels of power in a semi-automatic platform.
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Velocity | 1,500+ fps (185-grain bullet)
1,300 fps (230-grain bullet) Velocities measured from a 5-inch barrel |
| Muzzle Energy | 700+ ft-lbs Varies with bullet weight and load |
| Effective Range | 100 yards Practical accuracy for defensive use |
| Recoil | Significant Higher than .45 ACP, requires proper technique and firearm modifications |
| Pressure | 40,000 PSI Nearly double that of .45 ACP |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .460 Rowland loads.
.460 Rowland: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .460 Rowland ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Handgun Hunting | 0-100 | Powerful enough for medium to large game at closer ranges |
| Self-Defense | 0-50 | High stopping power, but significant recoil and overpenetration risk |
| Target Shooting | 0-75 | Capable of good accuracy, but recoil can be challenging |
| Competition | 0-50 | Used in some power factor competitions, requires skill to manage recoil |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, and specific firearm characteristics. The .460 Rowland is known for its high power and velocity in a semi-automatic pistol platform. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .460 Rowland
The .460 Rowland's high power and velocity make it suitable for specific applications:
Caliber Comparisons
To understand the .460 Rowland's place in the handgun world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .460 Rowland with other powerful handgun cartridges. (Based on a 40 oz pistol)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .460 Rowland with other powerful handgun cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .460 Rowland with other powerful handgun cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .460 Rowland with other powerful handgun cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .460 Rowland
The .460 Rowland is a powerful handgun cartridge designed to offer magnum-level performance from a semi-automatic pistol. This table compares the sectional density of various .460 Rowland loads.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .460 Rowland | 185 | 0.141 |
| .460 Rowland | 200 | 0.152 |
| .460 Rowland | 230 | 0.175 |
| .460 Rowland | 255 | 0.194 |
| .460 Rowland | 300 | 0.228 |
Note: The .460 Rowland uses a .451 inch diameter bullet. Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². While higher sectional density can indicate better penetration, the .460 Rowland's high velocity also contributes significantly to its performance.