Finally perhaps ready to make a purchase. Intended use is bear defense:
Product: Model S&W500
Bumping this hoping for a response. I have searched around, and found hearsay estimates like you should expect a 25% velocity loss (vs 8.38"), but found no actual chrono data.
My deilema is that I already have a .454 Ruger SRH (7.5" barrel). It seems that a 4" .500 will get knocked back to aprox. the level of the longer barreled .454.....so I have to wonder if it is worth the money to get the .500 or just live with the big Ruger. Actually, the Ruger is a few ounces lighter, but also ~3" longer. The big Ruger is clumsy to draw in an emergency, but the X-frame is a beast as well.