ok so i finally mustered the courage to get on of this. I will pick up today. I will reload probably start around 300gn bullets and work my way up to 500 gn ( in a few months:-)
any suggestions,warnings, words of wisdom ....maybe prayers?
its the 4 inch version with muzzle brake.
thanks in advance

All I can say is hang on tight! I've got the 8 3/8" model and love it! After 25 -30 rnds though, you'll want to let it (meaning you) rest for a minute... I'm running 335 gr thru mine and it's a good adrenaline rush.
Mark

Dont limp wrist.!

I own the short barrel version and it kicks like a meth addicted mule.

If your not sure if your going to smack yourself in the face.

Aim, tilt head to side, pull trigger.

At least until you get the hang of it :-D

The recoil is about 2x that of a 6 inch DE in .50AE so its gonna lift the muzzle real high, as long as you semi-lock your elbows it wont fly back at your head :-D haha

On a side note, if you crook both your elbows, it will most definitely knock you out like mike tyson swinging on richard simmons lol

Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't have any trouble firing one in the movie "The Last Stand"!


(Can't say that for his deputy, though!! )

Just have fun and hang on tight...your hands might start to shake after a few rounds but that's your body saying what the f..... are u doing to me ...lol

But that was a .500 chambered for .22 blanks :-D Much like other movie props lol

Speaking of which, the epsiode of CSI where someone put a real bullet in a prop gun and a guy was shot. I found funny because working on 3 movie sets *low budget* as the Firearms "expert" Every one I ever saw was a .22 blank. The AK's , glocks, even the S&W's were .22 blanks. Tons of recoil to play with :-p

wear really good ear protection,, the 500s have quite a bark to them..
for reloading I use 11.5 grains of unique behind a 375 grain hard cast slug for "plinking" (you can't shoot the heavy stuff all the time )
seems to recoil about the same as a 4 inch .44 out of my gun, ( 8'3/8 barrel )

Congrats on the new .500! I love all of mine and will probably get a few more in the future. I don't find my 4 inch too wicked in the recoil department but it is abnoxious as hell in the muzzle blast when shooting light bullets fast! Now my John Ross 5 inch is a whole different animal! I shoot a lot of accurate 5744 in my 500s for everyday shooting. The lighter recipes listed on their web sight still fill the case enough you don't have to worry about double charging but still give a powerful, accurate and manageable load.I normally shoot bullet weights in the 385-440 gr at velocities of around 1250-1300 cronied out of the 4 inch. For HEAVY loads I use 300-MP and H-110. Bottom line is the for a reloader the .500 S&W is in my opinion one of the most versatile calibers available. I'm a fan :-)

thanks guys! i notice that when people like this gun - they like it with a passion!
i reload and plan to start low then work myself up getting to know this gun and its potential. I think a healthy amount of respect should keep me healthy:-)
thanks again and once i get the chance to shoot it i will post a report!!
Have to wait for my reloading supplies since the factory bullets are way too expensive!!

One thing about reloading for the 500. You should find all your cases marked with either an "L" or "LR" for large rifle. They take a large rifle primer, don't forget that. I'm still researching if they need a magnum primer as well. Fun wow gun at the range.

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Starline brass is marked with an “R” and takes large rifle primers, not magnums. Don

On a more serious note, I hear tell that wearing a wrist guard (the ones you skateboard/rollerblade in) helps! Though this is just what I have heard..Have fun though!!!

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Still just a kid at heart

its manageable and quite a rush to shoot.....just reload for it to afford to shoot it...I have taken several large boar a merino ram,4-horn ram,and mouflon ram with mine...lots of fun

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Congrats on your new hand cannon! I have a 6.5 and love it! Took a little bit to get used it. Lock your wrists and squeeze her like you mean it! I wear gloves with some padding in the palm, if you're right handed, that's where you'll feel most. I shoot about 10-15 rds. and rest for a while.

Hand cannon is right!! I've only put 7 rounds through mine so far. I broke my right wrist (right handed) about 3 yrs ago and have a plate/8screws. I have heard padded gloves will do wonders for the shock, is that right and if so what brand is preferred?

Also thinking a brace too. Mine is 8 3/8" with compensator.

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Not enough space

I hold mine one handed

just kidding enjoy they have a great trigger.

thewelshm

I haven't gotten the nerve up to try it one handed yet! I did find a set of Hogue rosewoods for it that I need to try at the range.

Don't be intimidated! I paid to fire a 4" model at the Smith & Wesson range in Springfield a few years ago and it's pretty much a pussycat.

NOTHING like a Scandium j-frame .357--OW!

until you feel comfortable with shooting it, load only one round at a time to prevent the possible 'doubling' effect.

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ASA/NSA 67-71
NRA Benefactor

In a custom shop 10 1/2 inch 500 I load mostly RCBS 400 grain cast but shoot some 385 Rem. spire points also. The Remington are VERY accurate with a load of 35 grains of H110 in the S&W and the T/C Encore.
I posted a photo on this site of my 30 year old daughter shooting the .500 S&W with the Rem. load. At 25 yards she put 2 in the X and 2 in the 10 ring shooting offhand. The first one I had her shoot into the ground off the concrete. Just did not want to risk a $1,000.00 revolver crashing on concrete. The 4 shots were about 4 inches center to center.

I read somewhere that the .500 'can' reverse auto index. That is, the cylinder latch disengages and the cylinder reverses one chamber under recoil. Please believe me, IT CAN, MINE DID!! Just be aware of that possibility.

I can confirm the "doubleshot". I've had two friends shoot mine and pop off two rds with one pull of the trigger. It'll give you a pucker rating of 11. Try one rd at a time until you feel comfortable with the recoil.

Enjoy- I have found that recoil increases with the length of the barrel, I believe it is due to "all" of the powder burn VS fireball. Bill from ballistic supply did some formal testing a few yrs ago. My testing was with 4,6,7.5, 8 3/8,16.5, very informal.
As for the " reverse auto index"?? I do not know, but I also did not ever have a "double" till I loaded a full cylinder of 600 gr. Wear plugs and muffs, and shoot it outside if you can. I have yet to get rid of the compensators on my guns and I feel they are just increasing the muzzle blast with and not decreasing recoil enough--- only my opinion. Be Safe,

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I BACK OUR BLUE

If you say it’s a “pussycat” you were probably firing the relatively weak 275gr Barnes loads. That’s the load most demonstration shootings of the .500 Mag used. The 4” with heavy 440 gr loads would never be called a pussycat. Don

Just so you know this is kinda hard on the lockup, springs and whatnot. The doubling effect is caused by a loose grip. A firm grip and proper stance should prevent this. Just like having to dig the front sight out of your forehead.

I own a JRC 5" without comp. Have fun!

Steve

Now I really take issue with that statement. The grip was NOT loose, I had a firm grip on the weapon, the S&W has never planted the front site in my forehead - or even came close for that matter. AND!! I have been shooting .44 Mag. since the mid 60's, so I know recoil management.
Now the Encore scope DOES come close to the forehead shooting from the bench. But it is at least 25% lighter than the S&W. That thing will beat the daylights outta ya.

Cb, I'm talking about the double discharge. I don't doubt you about the gun unlocking as I had issues with my John Ross doing the same thing. A few new springs and it hasn't done it since. I wasn't trying to poke your bear with the front site comment either as this I know from experience.. again with my John Ross. After 20 or more HOT loads I got tired and sloppy therefore relaxing my grip some. The front site bit me. Again, it is my opinion and experience a lot of (but certainly not all)the issues folks complain about with the 500 is simply operator error.

All this new discussion on unlocking got me to thinking: Didn't the large pistol primers have some play in this? It's hell to get old.
Steve

Let me share what happened to me with my .500. I bought the 6.5" barrel standard model. No problems for the first hundred rounds or so. Then, it started what I call unauthorized rotation.

It never double-fired, but what would happen was this...Id shoot three rounds (with 5 loaded) and then "click" like an empty cylinder. After doing this the first time, I wasnt concerned, I figured I had caused it by being too relaxed or something.

So, I concentrated on technique and despite my best efforts it started happening more and more.

OK, to get to the end of the story...I sent it back to S&W and they told me that until they made the X-frame there was only one cylinder release/lock pin spring. They soon found out that this spring was not strong enough for the bigger guns. So, they came up with a stiffer one. Unfortunately they are very hard to visually distinguish and it was possible to accidentally install one of the older springs in an X-Frame once in a while.

Thinking this is what happened to my revolver, they changed that spring......the problem went away.

Yes, I believe you can cause the rotation or a double fire with a relaxed grip. However, there is a mechanical explaination as well.

You know, I don't know Steve. I wouldn't think pistol primers would be a factor as they wouldn't build as much pressures as say a Rifle or even a Magnum Rifle. It would be interesting to experiment however the chance of finding brass made for pistol primers is pretty much gone. I think the Rifle primers do a better job when it comes to ignition. I like LRM primers when I'm filling the case full of H110 or 300-mp.

All the data on Hodgdon’s website, from Trail Boss to very heavy all for large rifle primers. Don

jake m29 , I haven't read what John Ross(a member here)has printed on his website in some time but, he was instrumental in this change and has done more work with this caliber than anyelse I know of. DonD, of course it does, brass is only made for these, now? There is a difference.
Steve

I stopped by a big box sporting goods store this AM on my way out to the range. I bought a wrist brace with a plastic rod insert. First thing was to cut the insert so it was short enough not to interfere with the grip, but still support my wrist.

What a difference! I put about 15 rounds through it, and had ZERO pain or tingle. I am really starting to enjoy this cannon now. Having a plate and 8 screws holding my wrist together had my first trip to the range questioning my purchase. It seemed like I was more on target too with my shots.

Going out tomorrow again, to make sure the brace is the reason. Then its on to hunters safety school and watch out..this man LOVES bacon, ribs and pork chops.

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Not enough space

Can you tell us more about this pretty gun??

I have the 4inch version and shoot a 440 grain bullet and let me tell u that's enough for me Seriously.happy shooting and good luck

Hi: This thread is a year old. You might want to PM SB, or check out John-Ross.net. I believe it is a 5" built by the performance center with John Ross input. There were 250 in black Stainless + 250 in satin stainless. His website could give you much more info. Be Safe,

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I BACK OUR BLUE

Contact John Ross on his website(john-ross.net) or here(is a mamber) he commisioned S&W to make them and has them in stock. I believe the cast boolit site(member there too) had a link to a special on them recently(I don't know if this is still going or not)?
Steve

Frankly, don’t see any need for you to go up to the 500gr slugs. A 440gr hardcast will break a cape buffalo’s shoulder and still nearly penetrate it end to end. How much more do you need and why add the recoil? Don

I think he should wear a full suit of body-armor, maybe a full-face motorcycle helmet.....

Seriously, 500s with full/maximum loads kick a bit to be sure, and the 4" with the brake is pretty flashy as well. Try shooting one after sunset if you want to see what I mean. But I think the recoil has been over-hyped just a tad. There is no doubt when one goes off, that's for sure, but you'll probably not need a trip to the ER.

I recently received a SWC 725gr mold mirroring John's on his website, been dieing to try these in my JRC. Haven't cast any yet but, will ASAP. Just have to try.
MTKTM, I've yet to let another shoot mine without leaving trases of rubber in the V of their hands from the factory grips it wears. Please, don't under estimate the recoil? It will let you know where every bit of the arthritus is in your gun hand.
It's rather easy to see who really owns one by the replies they post.
Steve

Late to the game found a great deal on a 4" model finally. Shot two 8 3/8 prior and loved it. Can't wait to take it to the range!


Only one problem....
I purchased from a private party a local estate sale (legal in VT without FFL but the gun only has the lead bullet comp. The family couldn't locate the case or the accessories and the original owner has passed away.
Does anyone know where I can purchase a the brass comp?

Or does anyone want to sell an unused comp ��

Any info is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Call smith and wesson and they'll sell you one.

Wasn't sure of they would or not because it's not listed under parts. The only thing I could find on their website was part #sw1002 replacement grip

Sounds sorta like “pre-flinching” to me. Most people wait until the gun actually shoots before they flinch!

If the gun was only around when Clint Eastwood was doing his “Dirty Harry thing! He would have showed us how a real man would handle a bit of heavy recoil!!!

Sounds Sorta like “pre-flinching” to me. If it was only around when Clint Eastwood was shooting up San Fransco , he’d show us how to handle it.

I have several .357's and .44 mags in my stable... (45LC, 41 Mag, 45ACP and others) I reload everything but 9mm. I thought about getting the 454 Casull, but I said to myself... "Why". Shooting is supposed to be fun. (Hickok 45)
I just don't need a 500 mag, 460 mag and all the cost involved in reloading. I don't need a Bugatti Veyron to enjoy driving. Don't need $250 a bottle of wine to enjoy wine. And a $600 dollar a night hooker... well maybe... Hmmmmm.
That is how I feel. Good luck to you and hang on to it.

If your theory is correct wouldn't the bullets hit the target anyway?
Steve

According to the Hodgdon website they call for Large Rifle Magnum primers...

Only partially true. For some reason, they have started to call for Large Rifle Magnum primers in some of the loads. In the recent past, they only called for Large Rifle primers.

There are 29 loads listed on Hodgdon's site and 9 call for Magnums.

Don't know why unless they are concerned about cold weather ignition.

I've been reloading for the 500 Mag for 19 yrs and have never used anything but Large Rifle and I have never, ever, had an ignition issue. Also, my results correspond very closely to published velocity numbers. I also don't have extraction issues.

One thing I will not do is disassemble some 550 reloads I already have, particularly since I can't find Large Rifle Magnums even if I wanted to demill all those rounds. Don