Does anybody have experience with the s&w 500 John Ross edition. I am interested in getting one, but I do not reload and a lot of the reviews I have seen talk a lot about reloading for ultimate performance out of this gun. If anyone has a range report or experience with shooting factory loads I would really appreciate it. I am torn between getting a current production performance center 500 model with a 7.5 barrel or this John Ross model. Picks would be great if anyone has them. Thank you in advance!
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*S&W Performance Center 500 John Ross
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David Sinko
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John Ross, the author of Unintended Consequences? I'm still waiting for the sequel.
Dave Sinko
Dave Sinko
Everyone talks about hand loading because of the cost of the cartridge, not because of a particular firearm.
A 5" John Ross Performance Center revolver is among the many 500 Magnums that I currently own.
Either revolver that you have in mind will be an outstanding choice. For hand loaders the 500 Magnum is probably the most versatile cartridge I have ever worked with. You can go from 275 grain light loads all the way up to 725 grain sledgehammers. I can not recall another cartridge with a projectile weight range of almost 3 to 1.
If you cast your own projectiles it is a fantastic cartridge. I must have more 500 molds than anything else.
A 5" John Ross Performance Center revolver is among the many 500 Magnums that I currently own.
Either revolver that you have in mind will be an outstanding choice. For hand loaders the 500 Magnum is probably the most versatile cartridge I have ever worked with. You can go from 275 grain light loads all the way up to 725 grain sledgehammers. I can not recall another cartridge with a projectile weight range of almost 3 to 1.
If you cast your own projectiles it is a fantastic cartridge. I must have more 500 molds than anything else.
DonD
Member
Having shot 500s for 9 yrs now, I feel well qualified to comment. Currently, I have an 8 3/8" and a 6.5" PC model.
I'm sure the Ross gun is a fine item but w/o the compensator (yeah, many doubt its effectiveness) and the much lighter weight, it will kick significantly harder using the same ammo than the much heavier 7.5" model with its additional advantage of muzzle forward weight which will reduce muzzle climb.
The Ross' primary advantage if you want to call it that and I don't is the faster twist which makes stabilizing the monster 600-700 gr slugs more effective. I have no interest in those slugs, higher recoil with no advantage other than saying you shoot them. A 440gr hard cast will, in many cases, penetrate a cape buffalo from end to end, you need more penetration than that? I don't think so.
Don't reload? Well...unless you intend for it to be a safe queen or like spending obscene amounts for factory ammo, you DO need to reload. I can load quality hard cast slugs for less than 55 cents a round vice $2.50-3 for factory ammo and I can tailor the ammo from dinky to nasty. Don
I'm sure the Ross gun is a fine item but w/o the compensator (yeah, many doubt its effectiveness) and the much lighter weight, it will kick significantly harder using the same ammo than the much heavier 7.5" model with its additional advantage of muzzle forward weight which will reduce muzzle climb.
The Ross' primary advantage if you want to call it that and I don't is the faster twist which makes stabilizing the monster 600-700 gr slugs more effective. I have no interest in those slugs, higher recoil with no advantage other than saying you shoot them. A 440gr hard cast will, in many cases, penetrate a cape buffalo from end to end, you need more penetration than that? I don't think so.
Don't reload? Well...unless you intend for it to be a safe queen or like spending obscene amounts for factory ammo, you DO need to reload. I can load quality hard cast slugs for less than 55 cents a round vice $2.50-3 for factory ammo and I can tailor the ammo from dinky to nasty. Don
Kilibreaux
Member
ANY Model 500 S&W is a worthy addition to your collection!
peppercorn
Member
Just curious as to what hardcast bullets you are loading with?
Not much experience with a 500 as I have a only 4" and currently don't reload any longer. Plus being a poor boy doesn't allow much for shooting it. So take it for what it's worth, I'd go with the JR. But I prefer shorter (easier to holster carry) and non-comped barrels.
Have to agree with hand loading this one.
I have some 400 gr gc swc a guy sent me, have not had a chance to shoot them yet.
Still have Barnes TSX & several others to try for this years hunting season.
tek4260
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DonD
Member
I have used Montana Bullet Works 370 gr gas checked slugs. They generally run more like 385 gr as cast. Prices have gone up some since my last order, from about 28 cents to 34 ea. Very good slugs in my opinion, I don't have issues with leading. Don
balin
Member
how does the twist rate affect the lighter weight bullets?
DonD
Member
Probably doesn't make much difference. Unless the twist is drastically different, spin rates over optimum seldom have a major effect on accuracy. Don
DonD: I agree with the reloading, spin rates but not recoil. I have greater recoil out of the 8 3/8 than the 6.5, and 6.5 is greater than the 4" I have tried it with 275 up to 700 gr from ballistic supply. All guns are comped, but comparing them side by side with the same ammo, multiple shooters, the longer the barrel the greater the recoil. Prob due to all the powder burning, I do not know. Be Safe,
shawn mccarver
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What S.B. says is correct. I am pretty well acquainted with John Ross, and his gun is the real deal. He spent a very long time experimenting with differing twists, bullet weights, etc. In the process, many factory 500s went back to Performance Center for changes, and then they were evaluated, and if the full truth were known, S&W used him as their Beta tester and incorporated many of his ideas. His revolver works with a wider range of weights and velocities than the factory twist. So, if you want light and fast, slower and heavier or real heavy and slow or standard weight and slow, it does all of these things well. What is hard to realize until you hold one is the balance. The Ross revolver sits better in the hand, and the barrel removal system does not use the internal rifling wrench. It is all around a better design, in my opinion. The revolver comes with a lengthy booklet describing the development of the revolver and the cartridges. It is not true that the Ross 500 only shoots heavy bullets well. He certainly likes to shoot heavy bullets, but the revolver will do everything well. I would prefer to have one of his than almost anything coming out of the factory right now, as there seems to be serious quality issues going on up there right now, and all of his were built back when he designed them, and he handled the entire order, and still has them in stock.
ruggyh
SWCA Member
GREAT Guns
Go to his website to get the strait skinny
I love mine, accurate with light to heavy bullets
my son chose Barnes 275 grain XBP for the bison pictured here
My pair of John Ross pictured below that- they are my favorite of the 6 500's I have
Go to his website to get the strait skinny
I love mine, accurate with light to heavy bullets
my son chose Barnes 275 grain XBP for the bison pictured here
My pair of John Ross pictured below that- they are my favorite of the 6 500's I have
Last edited:
Arthury
Member
Any one know how to contact John Ross?
His website seems to have disappeared.
His website seems to have disappeared.
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