I recently obtained a 500 S&W and would like to reload for it. Can someone suggest a good all arount target lead bullet weight to use? I see anywhere from 275 grains all the way up to 500 grains in weights. All I plan to use mine for is paper punching and exploding watermelons with

i cast my own, so i'm using a lyman 375 grain swc...seemed to be a good compromise between the light weights and the "thumpers" but the 400 grain slugs seem to be more popular and have more reloading data out there. oh, btw...they go all the way up to 700 grain slugs..
and..10 grains of unique with the 375 slug is a nice accurate light load ,a good load for "plinking" and targets...

I have yet to cast for my 500, yet, but I have found success with Berry's Plated bullets, in 350gr. With 12.5gr. of TITEGROUP, it chronographs right at 1000fps with 15fps extreme spread, out of my standard 8 3/8" 500.

It won't belt you around and you can "sneak up" ~200fps more, without testing Berry's recommendation for max velocity with their bullets.

Added bonus: you don't have to scrub the compensator!

Good luck, carelesslove

The 440 grain hardcast bullets are a good utility bullet for the caliber...try Montana Bullet Works

'that said, super-hot 350gr JHP's (Hornady, Sierra, Speer, etc.) are gonna be crowd favorites for blowing up stuff. Have fun!

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grit

Personally, I favor slugs in the 370-400 grain range for most of my shooting. The gun is extremely versatile, one of the things that makes it such a neat gun.

By the way, Kritter, handsome polishing job on your gun. Don