I have been looking at the S & W 500 mag. Shot 8 3/8" and 4". Great guns and alot of recoil. Looking at the SW web page looks like they offer it in a 6" as well. The gun will be used as pack gun for Alaska trips, but would also shoot at the range. (Posted for some "light" loads). Anyone with experiences or opions to share?

Well for packing around I'd go for the 4", I have a John Ross
5" uncompensated PC model and it is great for Holster Carry.

I usually load 375 Grain-440 Grain bullets around 1100-1200 FPS for range shooting and Deer & Black bear. I have not shot any of these animals yet but I suspect the loads will work well.

I would also recomend looking up some of John Ross' Loading data using IMR & Hodgdon rifle powders.

Those seem like reasonable loads. Looked up his website, interesting person. It refers to working with the performance center, S&W?

Any thoughts on loss of velocity from the 8 3/8"?

I love the 500. It is a fantastically versatile cartridge. I have 5 of them at the moment.

A 2 3/4", 4" (truly a 3" with 1" comp), 5", 6 1/2" and a 12".

If I were in your shoes and money were not an issue, I would go for the John Ross 5" Performance Center version. If budget is a concern, I would pick up the 6 1/2" production version. They are probably $350 or $450 apart in price.

Both of these are half lug barrel profiles so they will be somewhat lighter for carrying.

For a mild load I put 40 grains of AA1680 behind a 400 grain cast projectile.

Truth is that load is pleasant with most jacketed or lead projectiles from 350 - 500 grains.

WC680 is a surplus powder that has the burn rate of AA1680. It will work just fine when you can get your hands on some.

I have both a 4" and 8 3/8" 500, and like them both. I will say that the 4" can be unpleasant to shoot with some loads (Notably high speed loads with lighter bullets, such as a 350 grain bullet at around 1600-1800 fps), primarily due to the muzzle blast (the porting on the 4" barrel just seems to put enough out to the side and back that it can become annoying). However, with the right load, it is a real kick (pun intended) to shoot. The 8 3/8" gun is good with any and all loads, but I prefer a 420 - 500 grain bullet at 1100 - 1500 fps from the 4 " gun, not nearly as much annoying muzzle blast as with the higher speed light bullet loads. I have never been very recoil sensitive, in fact, I enjoy a bit of recoil, and, when I found the loads that my 4" gun likes best (a 420 grain lead HP that I cast, running in the afore-mentioned velocity range), it went from a gun I seriously considered selling (and I almost NEVER sell a gun) to one of my favorites. In fact, on that range trip, I shot the 8 3/8" gun a bit at first, then tried the 4" with the new loads - I just kept on shooting the 4", it was more fun with those loads, ran through about 80-100 in the 4", only shot about 20-25 in the long tube gun that day. I only quit because I was nearly out of ammo and the sun was going down. Both guns are fun, if the 4" gun had a "non-ported" tube available to replace the compensators with (such as the one 500 Magnum Nut made), it would probably be even better in most instances. However, I recommend getting the 8 3/8" gun for your first foray into 500 land - it does have a bit less recoil than the 4" gun (yes, there is a difference in recoil), and the end of the barrel is farther away, and the porting does not tend to direct the gasses back at you, so it is a bit easier to shoot well. I caution you, though, they do grow on you, and can become addictive!

I've had the 6.5" half lug, 6.5" PC unfluted cylinder and the 8 3/8th". I now only have the PC and long barrel. Of the three I prefer the longest barreled model. It is more accurate for me and is much more pleasant to shoot than the half lug which is considerably lighter and most of the longer barreled model's weight is forward, reducing climb during recoil. Don

Mine has the four-inch barrel, optimal to my mind for general purpose shooting. It is extremely accurate with soft to moderate loads at close to middle distances. The long barrel might be better for hunting and has the advantage of stabilizing heavier slugs; the 600 and 700 gr loads are not recommended in four-inch barrels because they can start tumbling not far out of the tube. That may not matter if you are shooting at a charging grizzly only 10 yards away, but the massive loads should probably be avoided for long range work from a shorter barrel.

I know a lot of people like the John Ross version, and I appreciate the thought that went into its design. But I haven't yet felt a burning need to acquire one.

I have the feeling that a 4" 500 and a 460 with the 8-3/8" barrel may constitute the optimal combination of X-frame revolvers. Preferable to a long 500 and shorter 460, at any rate.

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David Wilson

Keep in mind you mentioned hunting and that requires a thought or two about portability.

I've hunted for decades with 8 3/8" 29's and 57's. They do offer better muzzle velocity and sight radius (if used with open sights). But man, they can be a PIA for carry as well as adding just that much more weight to what you're carrying.

I carried all the 500's, shot them all and settled for a 6.5 as the best all-around compromise for a packing/hunting 500... Other barrel lengths certainly have their good points, especially for range use but for primary hunting use the 6.5 is a great choice....

I've gotta say that the half-lug 6.5 is the best lookin' 500, too...

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Terry

I like the looks of that 6.5" as well. I am not sure how much velocity is lost I have a few loads left that I loaded when I had my 7.5" gun. I'll shoot afew over the chrono the next time I go to the range. I don't think its very much, and I doubt any thing shot with a 440 grain bullet will notice 100 fps or so

Dan

It's going to boil down to how much weight you want to pack.

The cartridge isn't marginal for anything, even if it intends to have you for lunch, so I wouldn't be concerned about velocity loss in the shorter barrels. That 1/2" slug will ruin any critters day.

I also have 5 of them but I'm not partial to any of them, I like them all!

ohiococonut and Colt SSA are the "guru's" here of the 500.... It's always a treat to see pictures of their guns.... How about it, guys?

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Terry

I have the 8” and 4” 500 Magnum guns and also the 8” 460 Magnum
You mention you wanted a “pack” gun
Without a doubt the 4” is the choice, it carries well and handles more like an N-frame gun than it’s longer barreled X frame Brothers.

I can shoot the 8” and the 4” 500 about the same to about 50 yards, then the longer sight radius makes the 8” gun more effective on longer shots out to 100 yards.
(For this reason I would not deliberately take shots past ~ 50 yards with the 4” gun)
But, for close range backup in Alaska you couldn’t do better.

If carry is not an issue I think the 460 is a better hunter than the 500’s in any barrel length
Nothing on the planet is safe under 200 yards with the 460
It also shoots flat like a rifle at this yardage.

As far as recoil goes, I can’t speak to factory loading since I Handload everything but due to the advanced muzzle break on the 4” 500, recoil is much less than the 8” gun shooting the same loadings.
The longer barrel (In the 500) also allows the large heavy bullets to apply inertial torque of the bullet longer. This is what makes the gun feel like it is going to “twist” out of your hand when shooting it.
The “gain twist” rifling in the long barreled 460 Magnum almost eliminates this attribute when firing.

With the right bullet and load selected, the 460 and or the 500 will kill anything that walks, crawls; fly’s or swims on the planet.
Good Luck

My X frame guns.


The 460 Magnum

From Camping & Hiking Ammunition | Ballistics 101
When in bear country, magnum is the key word. While a 10 or 12 gauge slug would be great as would many rifles, they are not practical to carry. For bear country you would want a deep penetration round in a minimum of 357 magnum, 10mm, 41 magnum, but preferably 44 magnum, 454 casull, 460, 480 Ruger, 500SW. Even in these larger calibers, studies show that less than 60% of Brown bears are stopped with handguns, and when successfull it took at least four shots to stop the charging bear. I think it's quite a feat to be able to deliver 4 well placed shots into a charging bear, when fear, adrenaline and flashbacks of life are throbbing thru your viens.

Alternatively, 97% of bears are stopped with a 9oz. can of bear spray. Comparing the percentages, a firearm should actually be carried as a second line of defense should the bear spray prove ineffetive.

Former SE Alaska resident here, who is actually use to packing guns around in bear country day in and day out for self defense (not just some range rat, hunter, or someone who reads studies)!

Anything except the 4" .500, will be absolutely ludicrous! Even it, is a huge heavy chunk of steel, which makes it kind of slow to get into action. You will most likely be surprised, so lightning speed will be everything!

If I lived up there today, I would probably go with spray and a fast little Ruger Alaskan .454, backing up the very handy Marlin 1895SBL if I had the opportunity to have a long gun along. The only case where I might pack the X-frame, is if I absolutely could not have a long gun, and then only the 4" would be anywhere close to being practical.

Read and believe.... http://www.takdriver.com/showthread.php?t=723

I have been shooting the 500 Mag from day one, I have also owned just about everyone of the models they made. To me the 8 5/8 is my choice. I have fired well over 10,000 rounds of 500 mag in the past 10 years, from 275 to 700 gr.. I have taken a lot of deer, hogs and some black bear with my 500 mag. To me a 8 5/8 worked best for me with open sights.

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Endowment Life Member NRA

Great info/pics - Thank you.

Does anyone know about John Ross's association with S & W, if any?

Off road - My 1895 (45-70) with Punch bullets was the meat pack out carry choice - aka - The pumpkin thrower

Also....whether on the street or in the woods, bad things mostly go down in the dark of night! Lighting is just as important as any other part of your self defense gear! Can you shoot a big heavy clumsy handgun accurately with one hand, while holding a light in the other?

I'm in black bear country now, and my hiking/backpacking/riding gun choice is the 329NG, which comes with a nice night sight.

Ah, those mutated bears with depleted uranium armor, they soak up unbelievable amounts of ammo. One properly placed shot with a heavy load.500 will stop any bear, end of story. 4 properly placed shots to stop a bear, I don't think so and I readily admit I've never been involved with a bear.

Pepper spray, give me a break. I've seen a police video where a guy took a face full of an industrial sized spray bottle and just shrugged it off. You think a bear that wants you for dinner is really going to give it up for a bit of spray? Second line of defense for the firearm??? At the ranges spray would work, you won't have a second chance to use a gun. Don

You always want every tool possible at your disposal! Spray will probably only be workable in daylight, and if you are not surprised....but I want it in my bag of tricks, just the same as if I was a LEO working the streets.

The people to admire, are the ones who can get along with bears day in and day out, without ever having a problem. We had a big brown bear that would swim across the bay every morning as regular as clockwork (never did see him return back however), to scavange the beaches on the offshore islands. We never bothered him, and he never bothered us. Not exactly some bloodthirsty demon.....

Thanks TDC but I believe John Ross deserves that distinction. I do have a few so I'll post my pictures.



And the little beast.


The pic is a few years old but here is some of what I've loaded for it.


I've loaded bullets from 225gr to 700gr and in my estimation it is the most versatile cartridge out there in terms of bullet weight and powder combinations.

QUOTE* Anything except the 4" .500, will be absolutely ludicrous!
That is a ludicrous statement in itself. In the same respect some people can't handle more than a .357 and think the 500 is in excess but we've managed to harness and control its power. Why is it so hard to believe that others can't handle a heavy revolver equally as well? I'm not one to believe in self imposed limitations just because someone else can't handle it.
We've gotten over "The 44 Magnum is the most powerful handgun in the world" so this too shall pass

Dude....you missed my point completely! In no way was I refering to handling the "power". (Hum....but for some strange reason, you felt it necessary to assume that, probably so you could point out that YOU oh mighty one can handle the power, even if the rest of the wimps of the world cannot!). No....I was refering to dragging around a huge heavy slow to get into action, chunk of steel with a long barrel, all day long.

This isn't hunting, where one is stalking around ready to use your gun at any moment. On the contrary, you will be doing something else....fishing, tending a fire, cooking dinner, chopping wood, or taking a **** in the woods when things go bad, taking you by surprise. An 8 3/8" barrel, isn't going to be very handy when you are squatting over a cat hole wiping your ***!

That said....as for long guns, my experience was that long guns tended to get left behind. Had I had some of the sweet guns like the Marlin Guide Gun and combat shotguns at the time (I was young and not so financially well off), I think I might have been more fastidious about carrying a long gun (backed up by a Ruger Alaskan), at least while actively hiking about. For me, that would be handier than a big X-frame, in most circumstances....but the "little beast" (500ES sadly now out of production) certainly would be workable.

In another study released October 2, 2009 by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks their research shows "in 76 close encounters with black, brown, and polar bears in Alaska, bear spray was 92 percent effective in deterring them . . . in a separate study of 278 incidents, firearms were only 67 percent effective." The first study I posted earlier was only on black bears, but the article did not cite their source, it said, "Alternatively, 97% of bears are stopped with a 9oz. can of bear spray verses less than 40% with a fire arm. Comparing the percentages, a firearm should actually be carried as a second line of defense should the bear spray prove ineffective."

In an opinion paper by the Colorado Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife Service more sobering statistics regarding the use of bullets being far less effective than sprays with studies looking at encounters dating back to 1992, and another researcher from Canada. For the details see: http://www.udap.com/bearnews.pdf.

And, based on the statistics, "Canadian bear biologist Dr. Stephen Herrero believes a person’s chance of incurring serious injury doubles when bullets are fired versus when bear spray is used." http://www.centerforwildlifeinformat...ws-9-17-09.pdf

website: Mountain-Prairie Region: Fish and Wildlife Service "Evidence of human-bear encounters even suggests that shooting a bear can escalate the seriousness of an attack, . . . "

"bear spray has been found to actually cancel the instinctive defensive rage of an attacking bear by temporarily interfering with its senses. U.S. Forest Service, State Fish and Game and National Park Service personnel [as well as U.S. Geological Survey personnel] carry bear spray in a holster on their belts when working in grizzly country, just in case of an unexpected encounter."

"Pepper sprays and personal defense sprays are not the same as bear spray. Bear spray is a high pressure extract of about two percent capsaicin and related capsaicinoids. When a bear is sprayed, it will experience choking, coughing, decreased breathing, burning, watery eyes, and nose and nausea along with the temporary loss of its senses."

Anyway, I virtually always have carried a firearm in the back country (even my duty Glock when I forgot my .44), but the evidence suggests I should be considering buying bear spray.

Nooooo.....no assumptions were made, I understood your point exactly. Apparently you chose to decipher what you wanted from my reply.

I'm flattered that you think I'm the almighty one since I can handle the power. Sadly though I'm not alone And since you've mentioned an 8-3/8" barrel keep in mind it's NOT the only barrel length available. I will agree that barrel length would be sightly unwieldy but with practice it could be overcome as well. I would prefer an unscoped 6-1/2" PC model, but that's just me.

Hmmmm. I see off road, one of the top Ruger salesmen on this board has stepped in with his usual comments about the more superior S&W 500's.

I don't speculate or theorize with my hunting handguns -- I use them. I've hunted big game, elk and bear, for over three decades and I know what I'm carrying out in the woods.

The "carry a sharp stick" or "carry a can of Rustoleum" people can use whatever they want. I know better...

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Terry

Hey...I have a 4" S&W .500, and ok, along with almost every Ruger DA revolver in their catalog. A whole mess of S&W J-frames as well, and a 329. As for autos, I am strictly a Glock man, period. So....I don't think you can accuse me of being exclusively Ruger.

I 'enjoy' shooting the .500, compared to .357's in a J. The big bore Rugers, inclusing the Alaskan, are absolute pussycats to shoot even in .454. As far as humping around handguns in the field, the 329 is a pound lighter than the Alaskan, and the Alaskan is close to a pound lighter than the 4" .500, but the .500 is considerably more bulky.

Regarding the various posts on this thread: Dial it down for cryin' out loud off road. This is a collegial S&W gun community that is averse to vitriolic and shrill posting. Peace.

TDC.
Thanks for the nod, but as OhioCoconut says JR is the 500 Specialist.

Much of his cast projectile work steered my towards the molds that I had made for the cartridge. Here are the first samples that I worked with 5 or 6 or 7 years ago. I got them straight from JR for my own toying around.




The little lightweight projectile on the left is a 450 grain. The big boy on the right is a 725 grain wadcutter. 5 rounds in the revolver and you are carrying over half a pound of lead....WOW. The 725 pictured below is shown with a Remington 250 grain Core Cast 41 Magnum hunting load.




I currently cast the same profile on the right with a hollow point. This drops the weight down to 700 grains.

For fun, I load the Remington 385 grain CLHP over 40 grains of H110. These used to be available in cases of 1000 for a fairly reasonable price. The loaded 385s are pictured with some Remington 170 grain SJHP ammunition.




I have fun with both my shorties. The 4" S&W is truly a 3" barrel with a 1" comp.




The 2 3/4" is just a hoot to shoot. Though it is not for the faint of heart. Truth is I got such a good deal on this one from one of our Forum dealers a few years back that there was no way to pass it up.




If money is not a factory, I still think that the John Ross Performance Center 5" is a better choice than the production 4". The weight is not too different and you get 2 more inches of barrel. That is an extra 66% of barrel. That is a significant difference. I can not find an image of my 5" and my camera is in the car right now. I will edit the post tomorrow and ad a image.

It is interesting to me to read the threads and some of the hyperbole about X frame revolvers as it is interesting to read threads and some of the hyperbole about large caliber black powder rifles. Both have a lot of mystique and lore about them except with those who shoot them with some regularity. I am NOT a .500 owner but love to blast with the 460, and I love big black powder rifles. I loathe the muzzle brakes and find that John Ross in his writing is indeed the authority regarding the X frame and especially the 500. If I had the funds, I would have the Ross 5" version in about a NY second. The 6.5 would be my factory choice given its somewhat svelte lines compared to the full lug versions. I hope you get at least one X frame and I also hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine. And go get a big Sharps or muzzleloader while you're at it...

dwever,

Wonderful and valid information in your prior post that is worthy of consideration...

There are only a couple of statistics that seem to be missing that compare the effectiveness of handguns with the bear spray.

Those include the capability of the shooters for accuracy and the calibers of the handguns that were used to try to dispatch the bear. The vast majority of handguns in use today are .357's, 38's, or smaller, and if they were in fact the most commonly used calibers, the results aren't in the least bit surprising to me.

From my experience, an adrenaline charged or enraged adult black bear will often just be provoked when shot with those calibers if not hit perfectly in a vital area, and that can be the challenge for any caliber.

I've not had occasion to try bear spray as a defense against a charging bear but I have had to shoot a charging large boar black bear I had inadvertently jumped it out of hibernation while elk hunting. I had wandered into its escape path from its hollow under a huge log.

Because of decades long bear hunting familiarity and long term experience with the Mod 29 I was carrying I was able to dispatch the bear.

I say this because of my experience with how unbelievably fast these animals are when provoked or threatened. In the split seconds they can be on a person I can't imagine any spray could have a chance to be effective before they would be on their target and doing serious damage. If a person actually has time to decide if they should use a spray or a gun then in reality, they aren't being charged or even threatened IMO. I have to wonder if these game commissions aren't trying to protect bear from jumpy people seeing a bear, shooting it, then swear it was charging them.. when a spray really may have been adequate and effective to run it off...

For me much more info about how these statistics were compiled would have to be presented to eliminate the skepticism I have about how effective the spray would be as opposed to a capable caliber.

In the mean time, I'm carrying a 500 now or at least a 29 or 57 in hopes of saving my sorry hide if necessary....

Here's a picture of the big boy (490lbs) whose hibernation I so rudely awakened..

__________________
Terry

I would take any proclaimations from any government agencies about the effectiveness of bear spray and/or firearms, with a grain of salt...maybe two! Why? Government land managers are not very keen to have folks running around the wilds armed, so anything they can do to supress that idea, will help their cause.

Even if the 'studies' come from real research published in peer reviewed journals (I don't have the time to do a literature search to see how many that actually is....I suspect not all that many), I would still be wary. As a biology graduate student I participated in a couple government funded studies. It was well known, that the grant $$$$ would be going to the researcher that shared the land managers point of view, and would reach the forgone conclusion they required.....

An additional caviat is that government land use agencies are packed with left wing moles, with a hidden agenda! Guns in the hands of civilians doesn't fit in the leftist paradigm, so their use will never be encouraged. Still, bear spray is worth carrying, just in case you have a chance to use it....but back it up with firearms.

Lots of (black) bear wisdom here! (JJHack posts): http://forums.accuratereloading.com/...10798#43810798

Been off doing some homework. Spent some time (well a lot) reviewing much of the information provided on John Ross’s website / reviewing the post here. The more I read the 500 is a great caliber with a ton of options.

The 5 – 6 1/2 barrel length seems to be my choice at this point based on the S & W 500 PC Hunter 6 ½ (ohiococonut), S & W 500 6 ½ (TDC) & Ross 500. Easier to handle (weight /draw / target acquisition) than the 8 3/8” and longer than the shorty’s for maximizing caliber performance.

The question is muzzle break or no muzzle break. John Ross makes some great comment on recoil vs muzzle blast effects. I did understand some of finer detail around power weights and muzzle breaks, but summed it up in mind like this.

I relate it to when I did a lot of motorcycle riding (no helmet or wind shield on the old fat boy). The use of ear plugs went a long way removing much of the wind noise. I felt much less tired at the end of the day from the reduction of wind slap noise.

Read a good review someone linked to Gun Blast. Was a bit concerned with the described muzzle flip of the Ross 500. I have shot the S & W 500 4” the most with 440 grain Carbons (substantial recoil of the “+P”) and did not have any issues with that combination.

Anyone care to comment on how much difference in muzzle flip between the John Ross 500 and other 500’s in the 4” to 6 ½” range ??

How about muzzle blast difference between the 4” and 6 ½”? They seem to be a different configuration. Flip difference between the Ross 500 and the S & W 6 ½” ?

Any comparisons to this would be great.

Let me add another vote for the mid-size model.

I have the 6.5" S&W 500 (standard model) and love it. It has the right balance of weight and pointability, and is plenty accurate. It also fits a belt holster nicely without being too awkward to carry.

RE Bear Spray: This is very useful stuff to have as a non-lethal "go away" spray for dumb animals that you want to deter but not harm. Charging bears need something stiffer I think.

jeeedbb,

I'll try to add a couple of points. I'm certainly not as knowledgeable about all the styles and barrel lengths as some others on this thread so I hope they will chime in here to add/correct anything they deem incorrect with this post. You need comments from people who own all the barrel lengths and I only have the 6.5.

I like everything about the 500 -- except the muzzle break. The break does limit the flip somewhat but for me the additional noise the break creates is not a good trade-off. For a while S&W made available a portless break attachment for the 460's that could be adapted to the 500. Apparently they are no longer available.

There are two things I find very desirable about the John Ross 500's. One is the 5" barrel length, which is my favorite length for all calibers. The second feature is they don't have a muzzle break. Had I been aware of their existence when I bought my 500 they would have been a consideration.

Anyone who owns or has shot a 500 immediately becomes familiar with the tremendous noise report these guns can produce. In my opinion double ear protection should always be worn when working up loads or target shooting. That goes triple for indoor shooting or shooting warm to hot loads under a metal roofed canopy, IMO.

Ear plugs aren't practical in a hunting situation but in that environment trees and vegetation can absorb much of the blast. You shouldn't need more than one shot so the risk to your ears would be minimal.

That's about all I can add that I believe is universal to all the barrel lengths. They are all great guns and great calibers....

__________________
Terry

If I were you, I wouldn't worry about muzzle blast. I always wear double ear protection when shooting my Model 500s even when shooting reduced loads. That double ear protection not only saves the ears but reduces the perceived recoil. I never notice blast with good plugs and ear muffs on. Don

For defensive shooting (this isn't 'hunting'), whatever caliber/gun combination you pick, can you draw and fire it this fast??? Can you draw and fire that fast, accurately?

Bear Attack - Mother Grizzly Charges Two Bowhunters in a Small Boat.mp4 - YouTube

You bring an interesting analogy or comparison of wind noise while riding.
“Noise fatigue” or probably more correctly “blast fatigue” is a real factor when shooting this 50 caliber platform.
Depending on configuration, this can be in my opinion noticeably “prominent” to “severe”
But as in all things ballistic, shooting environment can play a huge role in either perceived or actual effect.
On a calm day with no wind, shooting my 4” braked 500 the blast pressure wave can be moderately noticeable, but, if there is even a few mph wind blowing this can impact the blast wave to be more perceptible or “effective” on my body.
But here again it comes down to the individual shooter.
Some will be, or are more sensitive to this effect than others.

It also matters on “how much” someone is shooting this level of power.
I see the “weekend warriors” out at my range and after a cylinder or two of some factory 275gr. they have had enough.
The 500 is back in the case and out comes the .357 for the rest of the day.
I had handloaded and shot the 454 for 15 years before shooting the 500
I was well prepared for the next level in recoil and muzzle blast.
Additionally, as others have mentioned, shooting any 500 at an indoor range Vs. outdoors can fully exacerbate muzzle blast impact.
I shoot exclusively outside and can’t imagine lighting off my full tilt Handload’s inside an enclosed range (Which are usually small in size to begin with)
So there are many factors that can and will impact the shooters “fatigue” level.

As far as muzzle “flip” is concerned I see this more as “managing control”
Some shooters may find keeping a tighter rein on muzzle lift a benefit or a preferred manner for them to successfully shoot these monsters.
Others may find letting the muzzle rise more an advantage to their shooting.
(I would be in that camp)
All of the guns in this caliber shooting FULL POWER loadings are going to recoil with AUTHORITY to say the least
The “actual” (not perceived) difference in measured recoil and or muzzle rise may be indiscernible in real world conditions regardless of configuration.

Other factors are sure to impact the shooter, like the shooters experience with this level of power, the previous amount of practice or training applied, body size, type and sensitivity to recoil and muzzle blast.
For me, I would apply the configuration to the primary task objective first
Longer barrels for conventional hunting and blind work and the shorter barreled stuff for carry backup
Then decide if the brake is a configuration that is desired or not.
In the end, if there is any “free lunch” here, it is down to the “crumbs” from the sandwich.
Not a full meal.
Good Luck

I have had a good relationship with S&W for 40 years but I am not on their payroll and have never received any compensation from them. Their engineers sometimes send me small stuff to test like front sight prototypes and the like, but that's it.

The factory at one time admitted that I'd done more development work with .500 ammunition than they had, and some of the things I discovered resulted in production changes on the X-Frames, but I don't work for them. I'm just an enthusiast that likes their revolvers and a couple of their autos...

__________________
JR, the 500 Specialist

Well,

It is final. Ordered up a JR 5". Thank u for all the input.

Jeeedbb

I owned all three lengths you mentioned. The 4 inch model is my favorite for carrying in case I run into a nasty grizzly or cow moose. The 6.5 makes a great hunting revolver. I no longer have any use for anything longer than 6.5 so sold the longer model.

For you pepper spray lovers.............you can keep it. I'll spray lead over pepper any day. My job keeps me outside in Alaska alot and yes the 4 inch model is heavy but it packs a bigger punch and if you need to shoot a bear to defend your life 99.9% of the time you will only have the chance for one shot, make it a good one.

Pepper spray is only good for a few shots, 20 feet or less. A great option/tool for someone to have in the group. Unlike a poorly placed bullet, poorly placed pepper spray does NOTHING if you miss the face of a charging bear at 20 feet or less....Once you've chosen this option, you're stuck with it! Perhaps that 97% stop you quoted doesn't consider that those bears weren't going to attack anyway! I'd rather leave them be...if I can't, I'll throw .50 cal lead.

I also have one of these and load hand cast 500 grainers over a charge of Hodgon Tite Group powder for range work.
Steve

Yes, I've read where spraying it is like ringing the dinner bell, HEHEHE?
Steve

Yes, I've read where spraying it is like ringing the dinner bell, HEHEHE?(Bad humor)
Steve