500 S&W 700 grain

Rich427 · Aug 3, 2020

Anyone have experience with the 700 grain bullets in a S&w 500? I just got some 700 grain gas checked bullets but don’t know if I want to beat the **** out of my new gun by shooting them lol.

Loaded up 5 so far. Anyone have load data? Couldn’t find much published. Found a lot of different sources for 24-25 grains of H110.

texmex · Aug 3, 2020

They will be a lot of fun.

Rich427 · Sep 1, 2020

Shot them last weekend. They weren’t as bad as I thought they would be.

Engineer1911 · Sep 1, 2020

I shoot gas checked 420 bullets in my Quigley 45-70 which weighs a petite 12# + a cushy pad. I wouldn't get further than looking at your ammo. I fired 2 rounds of 44 mag with 255 grain bullets in a Thompson Contender. I was too stupid to shoot just 1.

I admire your durability.

spdguns · Sep 1, 2020

Here is a night shot of my 4" X-frame 500 shooting 700gr Underwoods. I shot it twice and was DONE.

murphydog · Sep 1, 2020

I don’t know how heavy the load you mentioned will be in the grand scheme of things - do you?

The good news is you may be holding your needed lifetime supply of rounds in the first photo.

colt_saa · Sep 1, 2020

H110 is NOT a good powder for the heaiver projectiles in this cartridge

My full wadcutters weight in at 725 grains (obviously bullet on rignt) .

AA1680/WC680 is the powder to use for best velocities

My max load is 34 grains yeilding just under 1300 FPS from my 12" barrel. I started at 30 grains and worked my way up. This is not yet a MAX pressure laod, but it is enough for me.

With the powders that work well with the heavy slugs, there is no need for a gas check. I water quench my lead projectiles and get no leading even going past 2000 FPS.

I have since switched to another mold that drops the wadcutters at 700 grains and makes lighter hollowpoints, but I use the same powder charge. I have not re-chronographed the lighter weight projectiles

Rich427 · Sep 1, 2020

I’ve hear that LiL gun was not good for the heavier loads but that H110 was okay.... I only loaded 10 and fired for function. I may load the rest with a different powder

Engineer1911 · Sep 1, 2020

You shooters give new definition to PAIN and SUFFERING . And this fun?

I remember now the T-shirt "It isn't fun until somebody gets hurt."

Funflyer · Sep 1, 2020

Rich427 said:
I’ve hear that LiL gun was not good for the heavier loads but that H110 was okay.... I only loaded 10 and fired for function. I may load the rest with a different powder

If you can find it, give CFE-BLK a try as it favors heavier bullets in the 500 with max velocities and lowest pressures. So far I've used it with 350gn and 440gn and the only complaint I have is I can't stuff a max charge in the case and still seat the bullet to the cannelure. Here's a thread with some info for 700gn and CFE-BLK powder.

johngalt · Sep 13, 2020

I wonder how much empty space you would have with Bullseye

\

Kid44 · Sep 14, 2020

Never shot 'em,

don't even have an S&W .500, but if my calculations are right just 10 of the slugs would weigh 1 pound.

cmj8591 · Sep 14, 2020

johngalt said:
I wonder how much empty space you would have with Bullseye \

Plenty after the top strap and top three chambers of the cylinder get launched into low earth orbit!

cmj8591 · Sep 14, 2020

I fooled around with the heavyweights for a while just to be cool. The accuracy left a lot to be desired for most of them, not to mention beating myself up. What I settled on is a load using IMR4227 and a custom SWC that casts at 320 grains using linotype. The mold was made to my specifications by Mountain Molds. They do a great job and the price is right. I shoot the gun quite a bit and the load is very easy on the gun and me and shoots into one hole at 50 yds. I think if I had stuck with the heavy weights, the gun would have been sold by now or sitting at the bottom of the safe.

Rpg · Sep 14, 2020

They’ll be fine ... as long as you have a gun carriage and long lanyard.

vipermd · Sep 15, 2020

Kid44 said:
don't even have an S&W .500, but if my calculations are right just 10 of the slugs would weigh 1 pound.

Correct. I love loading 1 half a pound of lead in the cylinders. The 700 seem to shoot best out of the 6.5. 8 3/8, and 18 " rifle, they keyhole out of the 2 3/4 and 4" after 20-25 yards from my guns. They are fun if you have some old blocks, or old buildings that need to come down. My wife went through 100 350 XTP in a week, preparing for her first Alaska trip, Trip was for work, but allowed some time for fishing. Watching her " double tap" the 350's was fun, all 5'2" of her. BFR 45-70 revolvers with 305 are quite calm, if you move up to 500 gr in the double rifle it is exhilarating. Never got to shoot a 470 NE double a friend had, but snub 44 mag and 44 mag derringers are fun. One day when my wrists are replaced with all metal, I will wonder if it was worth it? Of course it was!! Be Safe,

Univibe · Sep 27, 2020

cmj8591 said:
I fooled around with the heavyweights for a while just to be cool. The accuracy left a lot to be desired for most of them, not to mention beating myself up. What I settled on is a load using IMR4227 and a custom SWC that casts at 320 grains using linotype. The mold was made to my specifications by Mountain Molds. They do a great job and the price is right. I shoot the gun quite a bit and the load is very easy on the gun and me and shoots into one hole at 50 yds. I think if I had stuck with the heavy weights, the gun would have been sold by now or sitting at the bottom of the safe.

Sounds like you're doing the same thing I do with my 629. I load a 240 grain hardcast at about 1000 to 1050 fps. It's still a thumper but fun to shoot, easy on shooter and gun. Big bore handguns loaded down a bit are were it's at.

ruggyh · Oct 2, 2020

Actually the 700 shoot poorly out of all but the 5" John Ross due to the twist rate. The longer the barrel of 500 x-frame the better it will stabilize but key holing will become evident as the target moves further away.

The John Ross has faster twist rate to accommodate the max length that can chambered in the X-frame.

BFR and TC also have faster twist rates and will stabilize these bullets.

As a general roll of thumb slower powders will produce better results as bullet weight goes up in 500 S&W.

If you just got shoot 700s out of X-frame try a case full of N110 for a reasonable experience.

500 S&W 700 grain

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Attachments

Moderator

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

SWCA Member

Similar threads