Re: Anyone load .460 S&W, .454 Casull, or .45 Colt
In answer to your question; yes, all of the above. This Red Hartebeest was taken with a Thompson/Center Encore chambered in 460 S&W Magnum. The bullet used was a Hornady 250 gr. SST/ML (the ML stands for muzzleloader) bullet.
I presume that since you friend has a 460 S&W he is more interested in 460 S&W loads than in 454 Casull and 45 Colt loads. I would have the following suggestions/observations to make.
1. I think way too much is made over bullet expansion. Our forefathers killed stuff with plain round lead balls which didn't expand at all. If you put a .451 or .452 in. hole (i.e., no expansion at all) in a vital organ of an animal it will die. That said, having used Hornady bullets out of handguns on big game, I can say with confidence that Hornady bullets impacting a deer at 460 S&W velocities will expand just fine. I haven't used Nosler handgun bullets on big game but I'm confident that they would expand as well.
2. Do not fall for the temptation to use 45 Colt or 454 Casull brass for "light loads" in a 460 S&W chamber. There are better ways to get light loads. If you use short brass, eventually erosion of the chamber will make extraction difficult if you ever again want to use 460 S&W brass. You can also "ring the chamber."
3. I don't crimp for Encore loads but loads for a revolver must be crimped and the crimp must be VERY good or the bullets will move out of the cases under recoil. I would recommend a custom made Lee Factory Crimp Die for this operation. This die can be used on bullets without a cannelure. By the way, 460 S&W revolver loads are the only loads for which I resize new brass because if I don't, neck tension isn't enough to hold the bullets under recoil.
4. If you scope a 460 S&W Magnum, or a 500 S&W Magnum for that matter, you better use a good scope or it will be trashed in a few shots. In fact, mine has even broken a Leuopld but at least with their lifetime warranty, its repair cost me nothing but postage. Scope mounts must also be very solid; I use SSK Industries 4 ring T'SOB mounts.