I am in the process of developing some new ThunderHead bullets for the .500 S&W and wanted to get some idea of what weight bullets would be the most desired.
I was thinking of something in the 400 range and the 500 range but could possibly even hit into the 600gr. weight range if there
is a demand for anything that heavy. I have a 325 gr. bullet but many have been asking for heavier bullets. So thoughts?

Question: Aren't the Thunderhead bullets a bore riding full wadcutter design!

If that is the case, keeping the Driving Band section of the bullet at a minimum length to stabilize the bullet I would think 400 to 435 would be perfect!

Ivan

I second Ivan's observation.

I don't know of anyone who use anything bigger than 500 grain in the field and most are using 350 grain jacket loads in 500 S&W.

Most of the guys loading the 500 JRH have settled on 440 grain bullet for the field and 400 grain for practice.

As a side note an excess meplat have issues with strait line penetration in my experience.

Be safe
Ruggy

Yes the TH designs in the purist sense are bore riders on the front band but I have some other options that I could offer in a large Meplat design bullet.
For example I could do a SWC type design with the nose diameter at .452 or .476 diameter with full diameter rear bands instead of going to a bore rider at .492 on the front shank of the bullet.

I could also offer a rnfp design that runs on the .45 caliber range with a full diameter drive band.
All of these designs will be grooveless coated only bullets.

So far the feed back here and from one customer is something in the 400-450 range.

I know there was someone that made a 700 gr mold up in Alaska which I thought a bit insane but what else is new in this business?
Other info that would help would be length of crimp area to nose would be of some help . I only have the original SAMMI specs on the cartridge to go by for OAL.
All input and help is greatly appreciated.

I am aware of penetration issues with large meplat bullets in some applications. For example the .500 Linebaugh did not show a much of an improvement in penetration over the .475 Linebaugh despite the increased weight of the .500. Which is why I am thinking more along the lines of a .476 front end for this bullet.