S&W 500 penetration and tumbling questions

[Dirty Smith Harry]

Looking for the deepest penetrating bullet that does not tumble...

I have some questions about hard cast bullets for the S&W 500 4" inch revolver, specifically in regards to deepest penetration and tumbling. Does the S&W 500 4" inch revolver have any problems stabilizing specific hard cast rounds? Is there a sweet spot in grains in weight for penetration before any tumbling occurs? For example, is the 440gr hard cast the upper limit or can you go beyond 500gr before tumbling occurs? I know there are 600gr and 700gr hard cast bullets for that round...

Have any of you noticed differences in penetration with regards to grains bullet weight on test medium or game ?

Both the 500 JRH in 460gr and 480 Ruger in 400gr can penetrate 17 water jugs.

 

[Alk8944]

Whaat are you intending to hunt that you are concerned with penetration with a 500 S&W? The factory ammunition will shoot clear through a Buffalo/American Bison side-to-side, what more do you think you need? Bullet placement should be your only concern on any American big game species!

 

[Dirty Smith Harry]

Whaat are you intending to hunt that you are concerned with penetration with a 500 S&W? The factory ammunition will shoot clear through a Buffalo/American Bison side-to-side, what more do you think you need? Bullet placement should be your only concern on any American big game species!

Thanks for the reply...

I'm planning my first African Cape Buffalo hunt, a little anxiety.

 

[chief38]

I've never owned a S&W 500 Magnum but I have shot at least 300-350 some odd rounds through 4 or 5 of them. I've never seen any evidence of one tumble in the targets we were shooting. I am just curious if this is something you have personally experienced or is this something that you heard or read. I have 4 friends who own one of those revolvers and they have never mentioned this. While with them at the Range I have not seen evidence of tumbling either.

I am not saying this can not happen with certain bullets, but they have only used factory loaded ammo.

 

[Dirty Smith Harry]

I've never owned a S&W 500 Magnum but I have shot at least 300-350 some odd rounds through 4 or 5 of them. I've never seen any evidence of one tumble in the targets we were shooting. I am just curious if this is something you have personally experienced or is this something that you heard or read. I have 4 friends who own one of those revolvers and they have never mentioned this. While with them at the Range I have not seen evidence of tumbling either.

I am not saying this can not happen with certain bullets, but they have only used factory loaded ammo.

I asked my computer's search A.I. about tumbling for the S&W 500 and it responded back with this below...

"The S&W 500 revolver can experience tumbling with certain heavy bullets, particularly those over 500 grains, but many users report that factory ammunition typically does not tumble. It's important to choose the right bullet weight to minimize this risk and ensure effective performance.

Recommendations

• Optimal Bullet Weight: For deep penetration without tumbling, many recommend sticking to bullet weights around 440 to 500 grains."

 

[stu1ritter]

I asked my AI browser about the minimum recommended caliber for African Cape Buffalo........the reply.....

The minimum recommended and often legal gun caliber for hunting African Cape buffalo is the .375 H&H Magnum. Most African countries with hunting regulations list .375 as the minimum allowed caliber for dangerous game like Cape buffalo. Some regions may accept the European 9.3mm (.366-inch) as the minimum, but .375 is standard in South Africa and many other countries with regulated hunting.
While .375 H&H Magnum is the minimum, professional hunters and experts often recommend larger calibers (such as .416 Rigby, .416 Remington Magnum, .404 Jeffery, or .458 Lott) for their increased stopping power, reliability, and effectiveness on a tough and potentially dangerous animal like Cape buffalo. Ultimately, it's important to select the heaviest caliber you can shoot accurately and confidently, as shot placement and reliable bullet performance are crucial.

375H&H = approx 4000 ft lbs muzzle energy
416 Rigby= 4,600 to 5,000 ft. lbs.
416 Remington Magnum = 5,300 ft. lbs.
500S&W Magnum = 2,800 ft lbs.

Isn't that 500 just a tad light for such a big, dangerous critter??

Stu

 

[Tinkertech]

The 500 is for yourself after your double rifle did not do the job!!!!

 

[Dirty Smith Harry]

I asked my AI browser about the minimum recommended caliber for African Cape Buffalo........the reply.....

The minimum recommended and often legal gun caliber for hunting African Cape buffalo is the .375 H&H Magnum. Most African countries with hunting regulations list .375 as the minimum allowed caliber for dangerous game like Cape buffalo. Some regions may accept the European 9.3mm (.366-inch) as the minimum, but .375 is standard in South Africa and many other countries with regulated hunting.
While .375 H&H Magnum is the minimum, professional hunters and experts often recommend larger calibers (such as .416 Rigby, .416 Remington Magnum, .404 Jeffery, or .458 Lott) for their increased stopping power, reliability, and effectiveness on a tough and potentially dangerous animal like Cape buffalo. Ultimately, it's important to select the heaviest caliber you can shoot accurately and confidently, as shot placement and reliable bullet performance are crucial.

375H&H = approx 4000 ft lbs muzzle energy
416 Rigby= 4,600 to 5,000 ft. lbs.
416 Remington Magnum = 5,300 ft. lbs.
500S&W Magnum = 2,800 ft lbs.

Isn't that 500 just a tad light for such a big, dangerous critter??

Stu

People hunt Cape Buffalo with single-action revolvers chambered in 475 Linebaugh, 500 JRH, 500 S&W and 500 Linebaugh...

Handgun Hunting in Africa?

Is there anywhere a fellow can hunt plains game with a scoped handgun. I am thinking an Encore.

www.africahunting.com

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/14042151/bfr-500-jrh

Hunting Gallery — JRH Advanced Gunsmithing

www.jrhadvancedgunsmithing.com

 

[DonD]

When the 500 Mag was first released, a well known gun writer (it's been a very long time, I don't remember his name) shot a Cape Buffalo using factory 440gr ammo. Broke the animals shoulder penetrated the length of the animal and was found just under the skin on the rump.

I've shot water filled gallon milk jugs with one of my 500s. Quite a spectacle, massive gyser, soaking the ground 20' either side of the centerline. Don