48 or 460 in .22 - Which one and why?

[tinner2500]

Ok guys, I have been lurking here for quite some time, and now find myself with the dilemma of trying to decide between these two rifles.  I am not a stranger to German airguns, but am a bit to the Diana guns.  I have owned several Beeman and HW products as well as Webley and Air Arms in the past.  Now for whatever reason I have to have one of these two rifles, but being a bit unfamiliar with them am asking for your expertise and recommendation regarding the two.  Thanks in advance.

As an edit to this question...  I fully understand there is a bit of a power difference in the two as well as the fact that they are different systems in that one is side lever and one is underlever.  What I am asking for is personal experience with each or both as far as shot cycle, hold sensitivity, any problems or issues known to one or the other, etc.  I am much more familiar with the 48 as I have shot several and also sold many of these but that was years ago.  I guess I am leaning toward the 48 due to familiarity, but don't want to jump in blindly if I am missing something significant in the 460.  Thanks

[longislandhunter]

I don't own a 460 and have never even had the pleasure of holding one so I can't comment on that rifle, but I certainly do love my 48    My 48 is a .20 cal that I bought new several years ago and I've loved that rifle from the first minute I took it out of the box.   I really like the shorter length overall length of the 48 as it makes it perfect for working my way through the woods, which at times can be a bit thick.  You might think that a shorter length of the 48 might make it unbalanced but nothing could be further from the truth.  I have always found my 48 to be one of the most comfortable and well balanced guns in my collection.  The rifle is a pleasure to shoulder and the rifle just naturally points to target almost on it's own.  Another thing I really like is that fact that because the 48 is a side cocker it makes it a breeze to install a set of sling swivels on the rifle so you can use the sling of your choice.  The 48 is not a light rifle and the ability to easily install a sling on it comes in handy on those long hunts.  You might think that the weight of the rife would be a "negative", but it's actually a "positive" in my mind.  The weight of the rifle just naturally matches the overall "beefy" build of the rifle and I feel that the weight actually helps make the rifle so comfortable to shoulder and shoot and it assists in the beautiful balance of the rifle.  The 48 has a ton of power and is easily capable of taking small and medium sized game (raccoons, foxes, etc) but at the same time the firing cycle of the rifle is very nice.  While the side cocking of the 48 might not be as "natural" as the break barrel cocking design once you get used to it you will find that you can reload the 48 almost as quickly as you can a break barrel.  There just aren't enough good things I can say about my 48, I just love it.   I'm sure others will chime in and give you their take on the 48 platform and the 460 as well.   I have read many good reports on the 460, but like I said, I have no personal experience with it so I'll leave that to people who do.   I would think though that no matter which rifle you pick you'll be pleased. 

I should also add that I don't find my 48 to be pellet picky or hold sensitive at all.   It's deadly accurate and has proved itself many times over on my backyard range and in the field hunting small game and woodchucks.

Jeff

[Dockey 454]

   I own a 48 in 177 and a 460 in 22.  Jeff is right about the weight. 460 is a little lighter. and the 48 is easy to put a sling on. the 48 is a little more accurate, but the 460 is a hammer. My 460 never had anything done to it other then a lube tune. Bought this gun for G-hogs, and have dropped many out to 50 yds. What is going to be your primary use for the gun. That would help in the recommendations. One more thing the 460 is a bear to cock.
   Tom

[oneied]

There is a 48 in .22 posted to the classifed for $400 with scope, droop mount and sling studs installed.  Just posted today

[GunnerAl]

I had a Diana 52 many years ago. The 48, 52 and 54 are all the same rifle as far as power goes and differ only in stocks and/or the added anti recoil system (on the 54). I enjoyed the 52 while I had it and just rue the day I sold it but gone it is so there's no looking back. I should have just plain kept it even for a collectors piece,, but,, I could not really ever get used to the side lever. It tourmented me so much that every shot I took, I used to get distracted by its presence and my hold hand fingertips used to always butt up against the cocking arm,, just my way of holding it I guess. That's why I did end up selling it,, I just couldn't use it,, but I shouldn't have actually sold it. One day I will get another, just to keep ahold of.

The 460 is a bigger rifle than the 48, no doubt. I don't have one but I do have a 470TH in .22, brother to the 460, virtually identical, sort like the side lever brothers, just subtle differences. It has a thumbhole stock where the 460 has a more conventional stock so I'd say the 460 is easier to hold for my liking. I haven't even given the 470 a decent outing but lately I have been putting shots through it out in the garage and out the back of the house, just to get lead through that barrel and I am beginning to like this rifle very much. If/when I ever get to take it out, I will have to decide on just what type of outing to take it. I don't shoot live targets and I have too many air rifles and not enough time to do the honours. The way I see it is that the more expensive rifles, like the 470, can wait 'til the lesser jobs get their necessaries - done, and right now I have a new Ruger Airhawk that is wating its turn to get - "done"... Now there's a thought,, the Airhawk is a Diana 34 clone. I have a Diana 34 and the 34 is the very sweetest air rifle that I have, without exception. It shoots superbly, is a pleasure to use and you can cock and use this all day without having to develop your muscles. I 100% recommend it. Getting back to the 460 though,, it too has a fierce reputation of being just about everything you'll ever want in an air rifle and many owners will recommend it as highly as I do the model 34. I can almost go along with this too. I just have to give my 470 a good field trial to confirm this first...

The two rifles have similar power outputs in velocity, both being rated, in .177 at over 1100 fps, approx 900fps .22 which means you should be looking at over 20 fpe at least in either in .22 cal, so power should not be an issue in your decision making. Weight will be almost the same but hold might be slightly different as the 460 longer by a couple of inches only but weight distribution may be different between them. But I think the cocking,, under barrel as opposed to side lever,, is a bit better on the 460/470. This though would be a matter of personal preference. I think accuracy will be no difference between them as this mostly depends on the shooter and I think there are proponents of each rifle to give testament to each of their accuracy...

Whichever way you go, I am sure you'll be more than satisfied as they are both well made and very presentable rifles. There are two opposing camps, one for each cocking method though and from what I know, they wont give and inch to the other side - just kidding. They both lover their rifles, like I do...

[mtsheron70]

I think whichever you choose your going to be happy in the end once you figure out the nuiances of hold and grip for that particular rifle.  I believe the 460 to be more of a rough powerhouse magnum whereas the 48 a tad refined to be more a bench shooter or FT gun.

But each with a tune will tame that shot cycle down to make each bring a ear to ear grin upon your face!

[linoww]

It's like choosing a blonde or brunette.to each his own.I would  take one of  each(rifle that is).seriously I have owned both and I like the 48s balance a bit better.

[Bullit]

Owned them both, in .177 & .22.   Liked them all, but they are different rifles.
I like the balance in hand, of the M48, for carrying around.   The sidelever also affords you a way to safely lock your arm against the cocking lever, while holding the rifle as you load it.  Kinda gives both hands some freedom.
I like the longer stroke of the M460 and find it manageable for a magnum.  The stock I like better. I like the muzzle weight on it, as it helps me stay on target.  I like underlevers for loading because I can tilt the rifle down, while holding the cocking arm, with the buttstock in my armpit.
You might look at the anti-beartrap button placement on both rifles,  as they are on opposite sides of the loading breech.  You might like one over the other.
I sold my .22 models after finding that with Heavy .177 pellets there was no appreciable loss of FPE at 50yards (apprx 2FPE) and the .177 heavy flew nice and flat.  The  .22 has a more loopy flight, that I didn't like.  If you shoot alot, the price of pellets also comes into play.  250 vs 500 per tin.
Both rifles are good workhorses, just different.  I think either will put a smile on your face

[tinner2500]

Thank you all for the input and replies.  Definitely some good points out there.  I am pretty convinced to go with the 48, but another very good point was brought up by Bullit regarding the minimal fpe loss from .177 heavies while having a flatter trajectory.  I like that idea and difference in cost of ammo must definitely weigh in. Does anyone have any chrono numbers to say what current 48s should be running with 10.5 or so grain pellets in .177?

 As far as what it will be used for, mostly plinking and target shooting with some small game in the mix when possible up to rabbits.  However, ranges of 50 yards + are definitely possible.  Would that change any recommendations? 

Again, thank you all for your input.

[Bullit]

900+ with JSB Heavies is pretty common.  But 850fps or higher still puts you in the same power range, so no problems.