.500 Newbie

grit

grit

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What are the best all-around powders to start out with for the 500? H110? Lil gun? 4198? How many powders do reloaders usually keep on hand for this caliber?

Also, anybody cast their own .500 bullets? How much does that really save you?

Any other advise is appreciated.
 
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What are the best all-around powders to start out with for the 500? H110? Lil gun? 4198? How many powders do reloaders usually keep on hand for this caliber?

Also, anybody cast their own .500 bullets? How much does that really save you?

Any other advise is appreciated.
 
I use all two of the powders you listed, but 90% of my loading for the 500 Mag is with H 110, the other is Lil-Gun.

If you are set up for casting, you can save a lot of money, but you will also be spending a lot of time looking for lead and then casting. I find it easier to just call Montana Bullet Works and order them.
 
I use LilGun for very heavy loads, 4227 works well for something with a lot of power but down a little from LilGun. Titegroup is excellent for a mid load and for plinking, you can't beat Trail Boss. These are also powders recommended by Hodgdon's ballistics guys. Don
 
i cast my own..as for savings..well , it's a case of beer to the guys down at the tire shop once a month or so... usually a five gallon bucket of wheel weights...
icon_biggrin.gif

other than that just time...
for powders i started with unique.just because i have a bunch of it..but am switching over to lil-gun.. it looks like it would work better for my loads....375 cast bullet
 
thanks for the info everyone...that helps a bunch. I will go down to the local Goodyear Tire Center soon to start bartering for wheel weights. What a novel idea.

What are some specific loads that you guys consider your favorite?...whether it be for plinking (loads that won't hurt women/children), hunting, blowing up jugs of water, winning bets by shooting through 3 feet of oak
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or whatever
 
Also, anybody cast their own .500 bullets? How much does that really save you?
Click to expand...

I got a ton of lead free so with the cost of primers and powder my reloads cost .14 ea and a box runs $2.77. With the cost of factory ammo going for $50-$60 a box, I'd say that's a pretty good savings.
 
Originally posted by Redhawk1:
Don tell me about the trail boss loads you use.
I have 2 cans of it but have not used it yet.
Click to expand...

Hi Redhawk, I use 11gr of Trail Boss behind a 405gr cast bullet. It's a fun load, like a .38 Special, runs around 800fps according to Hodgdon, I haven't chronoed it. Don
 
I use H110 for my 500 with a lead flat point gas checked bullet in 440 grains. Be careful using plain lead at fast velocities. I have heard the severe leading could occur at the higher velocities generated be say a H110 powder. If you shoot at say 900 fps or less, then go ahead and use all lead. My cost is still around $6 per box of hot 440 grain ammo. As compared to $50 to $60 for factory ammo. Also, make sure you use the proper primers for that cartridge. Most are Large Rifle Magnum primers and a few Large Pistol Primers floating around. Look at the head stamp to know which you have for sure. I have a source that makes the bullets I described. He makes them for Corbon as well as for public sale. I am very happy with his bullets. Good prices too.
 
You might also read up on the differences in powder capacity vs. brass manufacturer. The difference in capacity could affect the pressures in your chamber. For this reason, I use all same head stamp brass for my 500. I use all Star-Line brass. I have a bunch of Hornady lying around for use with a Thompson 500 when the time comes.

I usually keep around 700 to 1000 rounds worth of 500 components like Powder, Bullets and primers. I have around 200 or so brass. They are straight wall brass that I have loaded at least 20 times with no signs of problems. My load is as follows. 440 gr CPBLGC over 37.5 gr. H110 powder set off with Magnum Rifle primers. I use a heavy roll crimp (instead of a taper crimp, to keep it all together under severe recoil energy. This is very important). This gives me about 2,675 ft-lb of energy. That would kill Godzilla if he existed.
 
Originally posted by Redhawk1:
Thank you Don, I will load some up and see what they do, sounds like fun.
icon_biggrin.gif


Mark1967, why are you using Large Rifle Magnum primers?
Click to expand...

Redhawk, they are indeed fun. Even at that powderpuff level, they're much more impressive than service caliber pistols and revolvers.

And yes, Mark1967, as Redhawk mentioned, no one recommends magnum rifle primers, only large rifle primers. Don
 
Gents,

I'm still having problems with bullet creep out of my 500 on the 4-5th round the bullet breaks the crimp, using Berrys Plated bullets, has a crimp grove and still not working, I have the redding profile crimp and lee roll crimp, notthing seems to keep the crimp on these bullets anyone have any ideas? Lead is no problem, just the berrys, and they are exactly .500
 
Originally posted by new cal shooter:
Gents,

I'm still having problems with bullet creep out of my 500 on the 4-5th round the bullet breaks the crimp, using Berrys Plated bullets, has a crimp grove and still not working, I have the redding profile crimp and lee roll crimp, notthing seems to keep the crimp on these bullets anyone have any ideas? Lead is no problem, just the berrys, and they are exactly .500
Click to expand...

I've been very happy with the LEE Factory Crimp Die. Since it is a collet type, it "squeezes" in the crimp from the side. You can apply a heavy crimp to cases without worrying about crushing cases like with a roll crimp die where the pressure is applied in a downward direction.

Don't know wether it's a stocked product from LEE. I had to send them a case with a seated bullet (No powder/primer). Took a couple weeks. Is worth it.
 
That sounds like an excellent idea, what was the price for a job like that?

Interested in renting out that die for a week?

I will call them tomorrow!

Thanks,

and if your interested in renting out that die, i would be happy to be the first in line
icon_smile.gif
 
Originally posted by new cal shooter:
Gents,

I'm still having problems with bullet creep out of my 500 on the 4-5th round the bullet breaks the crimp, using Berrys Plated bullets, has a crimp grove and still not working, I have the redding profile crimp and lee roll crimp, notthing seems to keep the crimp on these bullets anyone have any ideas? Lead is no problem, just the berrys, and they are exactly .500
Click to expand...

I don't have a problem with that, I use a Lee factory crimp die.
 
Redhawk,
Are you using Berrys? just a roll crimp is working for you? hmmm.. what am i doing wrong...
 
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