__steve__
Member
Good to see these years of good 500 magnum use.
But as I am trying to get 500 loading process up I find it appears one can ask for more SR4759.
Looks I will be pushing cast 400 with H110 for my introduction to loading.
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Is a .50-caliber handgun really useful???
- Thread starter PALADIN85020
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But as I am trying to get 500 loading process up I find it appears one can ask for more SR4759.
Looks I will be pushing cast 400 with H110 for my introduction to loading.
One of my favorite revolvers is a Redhawk converted to a .50 Bowen Special. It is a proprietary cartridge from Bowen Arms and is essentially a .500 Linbaugh shortened to the length of a .38 special cartridge. Unlike other .500's, this is designed to be (and is) a very pleasant round to shoot. When I used to hunt, it cleanly took wild boar and black bear with full penetration. This from a 350gr WFN cast bullet at 950fps. For fun, I load it down to 750-800fps.
For hunting, it's really the best example I can think of of why intense horsepower is not needed in large caliber heavy weight bullets. Anyway, back on point and to answer the thread question. For me, yeah. It just depends on the .50.
For hunting, it's really the best example I can think of of why intense horsepower is not needed in large caliber heavy weight bullets. Anyway, back on point and to answer the thread question. For me, yeah. It just depends on the .50.
kreuzlover
Member
Yeah, when they discontinued 4759 this last time, I went on a gun store-gun show crusade. I bought up around 10 lbs to go with the 8 lb caddy I already had. So, altogether I have maybe 16 lbs left. At 26.5 grains per shot, this should last me the rest of my life, as I'm 75 now, and I only shoot it twice a month, or so.
DonD
Member
A member asked what velocities I was getting based on a post I made about how much reloaded 500 Mag ammo costs.
Went to the range this AM and did some chronographing along with general shooting fun.
41gr of H4227 behind a 330gr polymer coated slug; 1540fps/1738 ft lbs
44.5gr Lil Gun behind a 382gr hard cast gas checked slug; 1820fps/2809 ft lbs.
And yes, there was a distinct increase in recoil with the latter rounds. Hodgdon says 50,400 psi so if you want, you could go hotter as the gun is SAAMI spec'd at 60,000 psi.
I will readily admit that at 73, shooting 45 rds of the hammer tires me a bit but nothing more than that. Don
Went to the range this AM and did some chronographing along with general shooting fun.
41gr of H4227 behind a 330gr polymer coated slug; 1540fps/1738 ft lbs
44.5gr Lil Gun behind a 382gr hard cast gas checked slug; 1820fps/2809 ft lbs.
And yes, there was a distinct increase in recoil with the latter rounds. Hodgdon says 50,400 psi so if you want, you could go hotter as the gun is SAAMI spec'd at 60,000 psi.
I will readily admit that at 73, shooting 45 rds of the hammer tires me a bit but nothing more than that. Don
double-dipper
Member
No, but they are really cool and I want one!!!!!!!!!!!!
CheyenneBodie
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I had an X-Frame but it was just a bit too big and heavy--now I have a Freedom Arms 83 in .500 Wyoming Express and its more "packable" either strong side belt carry or cross draw. Most of the time I shoot a 400 grain Cast Bullet behind 10 grains of Trail Boss and its good for about 850 FPS and a 340 Power Factor Out of 4.75 inch barrel. I can shoot that load all day--the power loads using H110 or W296 with 440 grain hard cast and a gas check 1200 FPS (Power Factor 525!) well thats another story!!
No 50 handgun is useful. However, my personal 53 caliber (actually .532") Whizzbang (TM) is precisely right for plinking, home defense, and salt-water crocodile eradication.
jtcarm
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For a big game hunting revolver, I would take something like that over a smaller caliber that relies on bullet expansion.
I find big fat bullet with a wide meplat at about 900 fps preferable to a 1,300 FPS “magnum” round.
It’s easier on the gun, easier on the shooter, effective at any range I have any business shooting, and performs with total predictability.
DonD
Member
Just your opinion and it's opinionated and biased. Don
Well... yes.
John
.....standing behind your mother-in-law.......
Tom_R
Member
Not anything I need and probably would ever own myself, but I love that they exist.
Why?
Because ‘Merica! That’s why.
Why?
Because ‘Merica! That’s why.
Always wanted a 4" S&W 500 - never quite got around to pulling the trigger. Did however pick up this 500 JRH (a bit more than the 500 S&W Special) built on a Freedom Arms M83 frame by Jack Huntington. It will do 465gr at 1,300 fps, but don't need that, so my current load is a 325gr Swift A Frame at 1,330 fps.
FWIW,
Paul
FWIW,
Paul
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[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufH4eZ7sF_I[/ame]
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I’m on the down side of life I don’t think my old joints could handle a 500 s&w. I did want a 480 ruger Redhawk.
Everyone should own at least one hand cannon, however some folks tend to become addicted quickly. You are welcome to use the following excuses for owning one....or more.
The gun gets excellent mileage, a box of ammo lasts a long time.
It puts other recoil in perspective.
It eliminates folks asking to borrow it.
Occasionally the term “bullet proof” needs a test tool.
Occasionally you need a special event handgun.
You need another holster anyway; Guides Choice™ Leather Chest Holster, the ULTIMATE outdoor gun holster | Diamond D Custom Leather | Handmade Leather Holsters (be sure you save shipping and order your Toklot holster at the same time)
You always wanted to try a shooting glove.
You might as well get it over with and put this dream/nightmare behind you.
and of my favorite; Because I Can!
The gun gets excellent mileage, a box of ammo lasts a long time.
It puts other recoil in perspective.
It eliminates folks asking to borrow it.
Occasionally the term “bullet proof” needs a test tool.
Occasionally you need a special event handgun.
You need another holster anyway; Guides Choice™ Leather Chest Holster, the ULTIMATE outdoor gun holster | Diamond D Custom Leather | Handmade Leather Holsters (be sure you save shipping and order your Toklot holster at the same time)
You always wanted to try a shooting glove.
You might as well get it over with and put this dream/nightmare behind you.
and of my favorite; Because I Can!
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I have a S&W 500, S&W 460, 50AE Desert Eagle and several 454 Casull. Need them? Useful? Maybe not. If I could only keep one of my firearms - the fifties would not be my choice.
I also have a 50 cal rifle - I am not sure I need an anti-materiel rifle. Not much use, but a literal blast to shoot. ~13k ft/lbs.
Who else has a 50 "trifecta"? I.e 3 different 50 cals?
I also have a 50 cal rifle - I am not sure I need an anti-materiel rifle. Not much use, but a literal blast to shoot. ~13k ft/lbs.
Who else has a 50 "trifecta"? I.e 3 different 50 cals?
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Spajohn
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