I used some recipes that I pulled off of Handloads.com for a 500 load with 600 gr. bullet. The bullet I used is a T Rex lead with gas check. My magnum powder of choice is Lil Gun and the recipe called for 31 grains. I downloaded to 29.5 and still had to punch the cases out of the cylinder with a dowel rod. After checking Hogdons website, they have a max of 30 gr. under a 500 gr. bullet (thats as heavy as they show). I don't feel comfortable shooting the 5 cartridges I have left. I pulled the bullets to start over and 4 cases have the gas checks stuck on top of the powder. I don't want to lose those cases as 500 S&W are not cheap or easy to come by.
Two questions:
1. Should I shoot the gas check cartridges in my 4" Smith, checking and cleaning after each one, so I can reuse the cases. I don't see any issues, but maybe someone else can enlighten me.
2. Does any one have a recipe for Lil Gun under a 600 gr. load that they trust. If not I am going down to 26 gr. to test the bullets at that load.
Tim