I am thinking about loading 18-20 grains of Unique powder with a 300 gr jhp in a S&W 500 & the 460 for a lighter load for plinking. I will use the 500 &460 cases

Has anyone done this or have any other ideas?

Thanks, Lewel

Use a more appropriate powder.

TrailBoss or TinStar were designed for reduced magnum cartridge load.

Go with slower powders not less fast powder(s).

Save yourself from potential disaster.

You did not mention how reduced you were talking about, 4227 is also a good powder for 300 grain bullets.
It can be loaded over wide range and perform reasonable clean.

Be safe and good luck
Ruggy

Also n105 works well if you don't mind lighting your wallet on fire. Price is getting high on that stuff.

__________________
Trucks and guns.

Thanks Ruggyh. I am looking for about 900-1000 fps with a 300 or 350 gr bullet. I haven't looked for 4227 info but I will now.

Thanks

Trailboss is your friend

As long as you load only lead bullets.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I just started loading for the 500 mag. I'm using IMI 300gr JSP'S and Speer 325gr JHP'S bullets designed for a 50ae in my 6 1/2" 500. I've loaded between 17.0 and 18.o gr's of Unique under the 325's and between 17.0 and 17.6 under the 300's. I use Starline brass and Winchester WLR primers with a collet crimp on the case. These shot good and 17.4 seems to be the sweet spot with my gun. I downloaded some to keep the velocity and pressures down some because of my bullets. These are reduced loads about like a 44 mag factory load. They aren't mild like a 38 special load. I skipped the Trail boss loads since I couldn't find any powder. These shoot real good for me.
Here's some data I found using Unique:
Lymans #49 reloading guide list a
325 gr Barnes XPB HP
Unique 18.2 - 20.3
FPS 1412 - 1525
Pressure 35,400- 44,500
350 GR JHP BULLET MAKE ?
Unique 18.0 - 20.0
FPS 1368 - 1793
Pressure 38,700 - 48,100
Do a search on my other post about 50AE bullets in the reloading section.

I understand they have included jacketed bullets now as well. A call to them may be in order to confirm this.

Is 900-1100 fps in the 500 a lost cause? I wonder if there is a load with a 300-350 gr bullet in this power level. It seems this kind of load would shoot like a mid range 45 LC or 44.

I know in the 460 a Casual round is fun to shoot
I was hoping for something similar in the 500.

Thanks

As ruggyh stated "TrailBoss or TinStar were designed for reduced magnum cartridge load." This is where I would look.

Do some searching. It's been discussed. Here's the most recent :

460 mild load for 460 cases