Hey all, I have a new smith and Wesson 500 magnum revolver with the 8 3/8 barrel. I also have setup some 3/8" thick t520 (AR500) round steel targets. Before I test out and risk hurting the targets would anyone here know if they can handle a 500 magnum? I'm shooting Magtech 400 grain semi jacketed soft point and the bow says 1608 fps and 2297 ft. Lbs. and I'll also be shooting Grizzly 500 grain lead long flat nose gas check 1550 fps and 2334 ft. lbs. I purchased the targets from Arntzen Targets and I asked him specifically and he said he has no expierece with a 500 mag but told me to go atleast 15 yards out and all I could do is try it and hope for the best. Would anyone here please happen to know so I don't go and ruin a $50 steel target right off? I was planning to shoot no closer than 20 yards with the 500 mag.
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500 magnum vs steel targets?
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DonD
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Neither of the two loads you mentioned are max loads, I don't think your loads or max commercial loads will really damage your targets unless they are fixed to the point that they can't move.
Velocity is the king when it comes to penetration, typical 500 mag slug weights won't allow velocities that really facilitate steel penetration.
Having said that I haven't shot my 500s at steel, local range doesn't allow steel. Good luck, I'm sure someone will come along with personal experience to share with you and the rest of us. Don
Velocity is the king when it comes to penetration, typical 500 mag slug weights won't allow velocities that really facilitate steel penetration.
Having said that I haven't shot my 500s at steel, local range doesn't allow steel. Good luck, I'm sure someone will come along with personal experience to share with you and the rest of us. Don
3rdgeargrndrr
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I personally wouldnt do it so close but you should be fine with the soft points. The gong will fly off the chains. Please have everyone around wear eye protection . The spall still might get you at 20yds.
Remember an AR15 223round at the muzzle is 1282ft/lbs. so the 500 is TWICE that of an 223 in terms of energy. If my memory serves correct , at 400yd the 500 energy is the same as the 223 at the MUZZLE
I dont see a point shooting paper or steel with the Xframes.
I like to blow up milk jugs or 2liters. Much more satisfying.
Once my friend and I cut down a tree. But thats a dofferent story. Be safe
Remember an AR15 223round at the muzzle is 1282ft/lbs. so the 500 is TWICE that of an 223 in terms of energy. If my memory serves correct , at 400yd the 500 energy is the same as the 223 at the MUZZLE
I dont see a point shooting paper or steel with the Xframes.
I like to blow up milk jugs or 2liters. Much more satisfying.
Once my friend and I cut down a tree. But thats a dofferent story. Be safe
roscoepc
Member
Here's a comparison video for ya!! 
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92B3k7dU2aY[/ame]
BTW, I've got the same set-up it sounds like!!
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92B3k7dU2aY[/ame]
BTW, I've got the same set-up it sounds like!!
I was planning to go back more like 30 yards atleast honestly. The guy who sold me the targets said he didn't have expierence with the 500 mag but said it would in his opinion be similar to the 44 mag which he recommends a minimum of 12 yards back.
Here's a comparison video for ya!!
Smith & Wesson Model 500 ( .50 cal vs Steel Reactive Target ) - YouTube
BTW, I've got the same set-up it sounds like!!
I saw that video, he claimed in the comments that it didn't hurt the target but he was also using a 350 grain bullet where as I will have 400 and 500 grain.
Rpg
Member
You have the opportunity to become disliked at your range shooting a 500 at steel plates.
I'd back off a bunch.
500's aren't plate competition guns unless you're shooting at over 100 yards.
I'd back off a bunch.
500's aren't plate competition guns unless you're shooting at over 100 yards.
Im at my own personal range out in the country. I'll be the only one shooting there and no neighbors anywhere nearby either. My only worry is will I ruin the steel targets or can they handle a 500. I know they will take my 44 mag and 9mm, just don't wanna ruin them with the new 500. I'm not sure if anyone here is familiar with Hickok45 on YouTube but his i don't know "style" is what I have going on here at my place. I live far out in the country back in the woods. I have my own personal range which has a very very tall dirt back ground behind it and it is surrounded by woods and many more hills. No other shooters will be around me to disturb or put in harms way and no neighbors any where around to disturb either with sound or anything else. I'm just a shooter who shoots for the fun of it, not hunting or competition or to even improve my accuracy. Strictly fun alone. I understand shooting watermelons and water jugs and such but I have these steel round targets setup and I'd just like to know if I can shoot them at say 30+ yards with the ammo listed in my original post and not dent the steel???
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LittleCooner
Member
I have had a good day at my range. Woo hoo. Buddy came over to check the zero on his 338 Norma Mag. Shooting 300 grain Bergers. I kept saying the whack on the steel plates was making a lot more noise that my little 6mm 105's. He said he was pushing way over 3,000 ft/pounds of force with those big bullets. splatter was something else, but the steel looked brand new, we kept repainting and shooting. He has a can on that big behemoth and you do not even need hearing protection. Wow, we have come a long way. I do not think your puny little 500 is going to do any damage to those targets. Those big 300 grainers were moving along around 2400-2500 on the steel.
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Just out of curiosity were you using 3/8" thick ar500 steel or 1/2" thick or what? In your opinion is 30 yards enough distance for the 500 mag to not dent the target where it's unusable?
While doing a Google search for my original question I came upon a place called "MOA targets official blog" I've never heard of this place so I have no idea how accurate of a source this is to go by, however in his blog post titled "how to choose the correct steel for your shooting needs" he said the following:
At 200-300 yards, 3/8” AR500 is sufficient to stop magnum rifle calibers without damage. It is suitable for all standard magnum and non-magnum handgun calibers at 12 yards (including 500 S&W, with minor crushing of the plate surface and your hands), shotgun slugs at 50 yards, non-magnum rifle calibers at 100 yards, and magnum rifle calibers at 200-300 yards. Simply put, 3/8” AR500 will do the job for most shooters out there.
Now if that is a reliable and accurate source this makes me feel much better a long with others here. Especially since I will be shooting more like 30+ yards back instead of 12 yards.
At 200-300 yards, 3/8” AR500 is sufficient to stop magnum rifle calibers without damage. It is suitable for all standard magnum and non-magnum handgun calibers at 12 yards (including 500 S&W, with minor crushing of the plate surface and your hands), shotgun slugs at 50 yards, non-magnum rifle calibers at 100 yards, and magnum rifle calibers at 200-300 yards. Simply put, 3/8” AR500 will do the job for most shooters out there.
Now if that is a reliable and accurate source this makes me feel much better a long with others here. Especially since I will be shooting more like 30+ yards back instead of 12 yards.
valkyriekl
Member
20141223 KSTG Kent's Second Run - .500 S&W MAGNUM! - YouTube - Two years ago I shot steel with a 500 at close range at a run'n'gun match, and the steel held up fine. I wasn't doing much running, though, and I was shooting 'light' 350gr plated-bullet flamethrower loads out of a 4" 'beltgun', so probably no comparison...I'd bet your targets will be fine.
Hi Andy. l have used my 460PC on IHMSA silh steel targets. Those T500
Chickens jump right SMART off the rail @ 50 Meters using factory 200gr
FTX Hornadys @ 2300fps...No damage to the chickens either...l will
not shoot STEEL any closer than 50M tho..0ur chickens/pigs are 1/2in..
Chickens jump right SMART off the rail @ 50 Meters using factory 200gr
FTX Hornadys @ 2300fps...No damage to the chickens either...l will
not shoot STEEL any closer than 50M tho..0ur chickens/pigs are 1/2in..
Here's a comparison video for ya!!
Smith & Wesson Model 500 ( .50 cal vs Steel Reactive Target ) - YouTube
BTW, I've got the same set-up it sounds like!!
That's a bit close for shooting Steel. For Magnums I shoot at 50 yards to prevent getting ricochet back to the shooters.
That one guy shooting 1911 had a huge flinch when he tried shooting with the safety on.
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Morning Andy 15
That is a good question & seems to be answered in the posts above.
I can't answer your question directly but can offer up that I shoot homemade steel silhouette targets (some 3/8" & some 1/2" thick). The steel I use is a close match to the AR500 steel with a BHN of 500+.
I haven't ever shot them with my S&W 500 but have shot them with my .460. Some hefty loads at that.
The 1/2" are just fine but the 3/8" have started to bend/curve slightly over time (no signs of shoot-through or penetration) just a gentle bend or curve to them.
Not a big deal at distance but the curve is starting to give me more splatter or debris coming back towards the shooter at closer range shooting.
About what range are you shooting at? I was told that over time the targets can begin to curve slightly and that I would need to flip them over every now and then to try and help stop that.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to give me your advice! It is greatly appreciated.
Lee's Landing Billy
Member
Andy, about 95% of all the shooting done here is at steel. We have 50+ steel targets and only 3 are armor plate. This is all 1/2 inch and up to 1 inch. Some weighing 100+ pounds. Most are hung with guide wire cable. We have 3 500s, a 4 inch, an 8 3/8, and one long enough that I could use it for a walking cane. Most shooting is with 400 to 500 grain solids. Over time the plates start to dish out. As if pounded by a power hammer. Please follow the other folk's advice...stand BACK! This is one gun that you have to respect at every trigger pull.
Well just went out and tried it. I didn't do precise measuring but I'm gonna say I was at the very very least 25 yards away from the target at the very least and it put just the smallest little ping on the steel. You have to rub your finger really hard on the steel to even barely feel anything at all. So I guess with the 3/8" all is well. Thank you everyone!
