.500 Mag Shot Shells

[DonD]

A recent thread had questions about shot shells for the .500 Mag.

I felt like doing something different so I made a few again today. Using load data for the .410 from Hodgdon, I interpolated and used 10gr of Lil Gun under a vegetable wad, 275 gr of shot (nearly .6 oz!), topped off with another wad and a crimp.

Based on past performance, I expect it to be fairly impressive.

I'd bet CCI could get nearly 7/8th of an ounce in one using their shot capsules. Could be S&Ws answer to the Taurus Judge with far more firepower to back it up!!!

As I have the time, I will also bug CCI again to see if they will reconsider their decision not to make a factory shot shell for the .500. I tried to interest them soon after the .500 came out. At that time they felt there was insufficient market. With the success of the .500 Mag, perhaps that is no longer true. Don

 

[sebastian]

I would love to have some!!!

 

[grit]

Nice work Don...I'm curious to hear how that turns out.

A shotshell in .500 S&W would be extremely useful...

 

[RightWinger]

is your .500 ported? I know CCI suggest not using shot shells on a ported gun, maybe this is why they havn't made any because aren't most the 500's and 460's ported?

 

[JD 500]

is your .500 ported? I know CCI suggest not using shot shells on a ported gun, maybe this is why they havn't made any because aren't most the 500's and 460's ported?

That would be my question. Wouldn't the shot get trapped in the ports ?

 

[DonD]

is your .500 ported? I know CCI suggest not using shot shells on a ported gun, maybe this is why they havn't made any because aren't most the 500's and 460's ported?

I have two .500s, one a PC version with the barrel shaped, slotted comp on the end of the barrel and a 6.5" half lug which has three comp holes on each side of the front sight.

I used very similar homemade shot shells in one of my earlier .500s, one of the 8 3/8" originals. There were no issues shooting these shells in that gun so I suspect none will crop up on these guns.

They rip pop cans a new rear but as amusing as they are, CCI could build a better one and I'd buy some. Don

 

[cal_gunner]

The only company offering a 500 Magnum shotshell would be Magsafe
which has 25 pieces of #2 Shot.

The shot is suspended in Marine Epoxy so it may have less of an impact on compensated barrels.

 

[pharman]

500 s&w

Just as a side note to this, I contacted a CCI rep and requested they market a "Blazer" cartridge that would be cheaper and also be for us guys that do not reload...No response as of yet...Thanks

 

[DonD]

The only company offering a 500 Magnum shotshell would be Magsafe
which has 25 pieces of #2 Shot.

The shot is suspended in Marine Epoxy so it may have less of an impact on compensated barrels.

That round is like all Magsafes, it is intended to hit the target with all the shot pellets contained inside the surrounding capsule. It's a defensive round. Very different from CCI shotshells and what I am talking about where the shot spreads immediately after exiting the bore for pest control like snakes or for fun. Don

 

[cal_gunner]

what I am talking about where the shot spreads immediately after exiting the bore for pest control like snakes or for fun. Don

I understand what you mean now Don.

the Magsafe epoxy shatters on impact to dispurse the shot as opposed to on Discharge.

 

[DonD]

I understand what you mean now Don.

the Magsafe epoxy shatters on impact to dispurse the shot as opposed to on Discharge.

Exactly and the very nature of their design makes many question Magsafes as defensive rounds due to inadequate penetration when compared to conventional JHPs found in Federal HSTs, Gold Dots, Winchester SXTs/Rangers etc.

Having said that, that Magsafe, round fired out of a .500 Mag, would be absolutely devastating on a thin skinned pest species. Don

 

[S.B.]

Don, please post a phone number for them and I'll put another bugg in their ear about 500 shot capsules?
Steve

 

[DonD]

Don, please post a phone number for them and I'll put another bugg in their ear about 500 shot capsules?
Steve

It would be a good idea for anyone interested in these shot shells to "pile on" and call Federal's customer service to ask for them to be put into production.

CCI said Federal's (parent company of CCI) customer service was the one to talk to.

Federal's number is 800-322-2342. Don

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Don,
I like your idea. I have been thinking about doing it in several of my own guns. I have an article here by Mike Venturino (as much as I don't care for him, this is a good read) about making your own shot shells using gas checks for the top and bottom wad cups. I know that shot shells have many uses in the field, and in your 500, you could probably hunt close flushing grouse, and even pheasants with the size payloads that it could hold. Good for you.

 

[DonD]

you could probably hunt close flushing grouse, and even pheasants with the size payloads that it could hold. Good for you.

Not with my limited shotgun skills!!! Don