.500 S&W Magnum, 1st Outing

[10mm]

Well, yesterday was my first outing with the big .500! I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised that the recoil was not nearly what I expected and have read about by some. Don't misunderstand me though, there is plenty of recoil & blast but I found it much more manageable that I thought it would be. I was taking my boys shooting with our new M&P 15-22 so I only fired ten rounds at the end of our session with the .500, so I can see how a 50 to 100 round session may change my mind

I just took some Magtech 400g soft points to give it a whirl. Like most of the S&W magnum revolvers I have fired the recoil is more of a straight back force than a rolling or flipping recoil so I found it relatively easy to get back on target with it. I'm certain the compensator was helping I was firing the standard 8 3/8" barrel model, the first model they introduced but I will probably be selling it as I have a Lew Horton Performance Center model coming with the 6.5" barrel and screw-on muzlle brake with the unfluted cylinder. I have been trying to find a PC version of the .460 Magnum with the 6.5" or 7.5" barrel but the hunt for that was been unproductive (for anything other than $1500+) so I bought a PC .500 Mag and will probably just get the standard 8 3/8" XVR of the .460 Mag. I have no real need/purpose for either other than it is fun to shoot these big boys. Maybe I will hunt with them at some point, but for now this fits the bill for a "fun" gun and it fits it well.

 

[kennyb]

i have the performance center 7.5"hunter model 500 mag...lots of fun on the range...in particular as i reload...so far i have taken a four horn ram,merino ram,and boar with it...with the scope it's very accurate

 

[stevieboy]

Well, I have to ask, are you a recoil junkie or do you have these guns for a specific purpose, as in hunting? I'm a bit of a recoil junkie -- I love to shoot .44 magnums -- and I've looked longingly at the .500 for several years. I've never been that tempted to buy one, however, because of the price of commercial ammo.

 

[daveyc]

I was also pleasantly suprised with the managability of the .500 I started loading 440 grain hardcast and now actually enjoy shooting 600 and 700 grain hardcast bullets. I find they are not really that "snappy" but rather give you a good solid push during recoil.

 

[dkrause]

I have a 10.5" PC 500. My plinking load is wheel weight cast, 465gr at around 1350-1375 (31gr hodg Lil' gun). I can hit railroad plates at 100 yds open sights w/ this load.

 

[10mm]

I will probably hunt with them at some point although at this point in my life I have only varmint hunted & a little bird hunting. I have yet to go for any large animals. Of course if the shot presents itself a groundhog will be on the receiving end just for giggles

daveyc, do you cast the 600 & 700 grainers? Or is there a commercial source? I reload but I don't cast.

 

[Bendutro]

Reloading is very rewarding for the 500, takes the sting out of ammo costs and allows you to tailor the round to what you're doing. Want a 2000fps flat shooting hunting load? Grab a box of Hornady ftx bullets and load away. Want a long range gong-ringer? There's a 600 grain bullet that carries lots of energy downrange.

10mm, good on ya for braving the beast and keep posting!

Stevieboy, quit sitting on the fence, it's worth it.

 

[Scrapper]

Try ranger ricks bullets for heavy solids.

Ranger Rick's Big Bullets

You might want to check out the speedloaders from 5 star firearms.

Sorry kennyb,

Here's the link to the actual page for the 500 items http://www.5starfirearms.com/50cal.html

 

[tlfw]

I find the 500 S&W has recoil like a rifle. Meaning the gun kicks straight back hard then there is a little rise. After 20 rounds of 440g cast bullets, I can feel the punishment in the right hand from the slamming. I tell people this is a one shot at a charging bear gun...meaning the recoil would make a follow up shot difficult to get back on target in a hurry. I would hunt with this gun, but not use it as a back-up handgun. I'll stick with a 44 Mag. as a defensive sidearm.

 

[DonD]

Of course if the shot presents itself a groundhog will be on the receiving end just for giggles

No such thing as overkill with ground pigs, one of the ultimate reactive targets!!

Enjoy the beast, I've had several of them, sold a couple, another coming via FedEx tomorrow. Don

 

[USAF385]

Congrats on your new 500! They sure are fun.

I've gone back and forth countless times on owning one or not.... currently I'm going with "or not" just because the practical side of me is taking control.

Of course if I find a decently priced used one......

 

[grit]

+1

Ranger Rick's Big Bullets

Great product, great service.

 

[myellowc5]

I agree with tlfw on the kick. i have a 500PC 6.5 and i agrre the recoil is straight back with very little rise action. Not as bad as you might think but very satisfying feeling. I also only shoot 10-15 loads at a time.

 

[lamina1982]

I love my 4"

 

[Nard]

I have a 4 inch too, I added the "Plug" and got a 440 GC mould, loading the 500 with Trail Boss turns it into a pussycat.

J.B.

 

[DonD]

Congrats on your new 500! They sure are fun.

I've gone back and forth countless times on owning one or not.... currently I'm going with "or not" just because the practical side of me is taking control.

Of course if I find a decently priced used one......

It appears that you have some of the "bug", why resist? Buy yourself one, it doesn't have to be practical, just enjoyable. Don

 

[44Steve]

Hi, Steve here. I have been shooting 44s for many years . You have to get a 500 and 460XVR. If your a recoil Junkie get a 329PD and shoot hot 44Magnum Loads.

 

[remat457]

Heh heh....700gr bullets....4" barrel... heh heh
That is AWESOME!

 

[kennyb]

Ranger Rick's Big Bullets

You might want to check out the speedloaders from 5 star firearms.

please provide additional info.on your 500 speedloaders...they look great!

 

[649 Bodyguard]

How did you like the grips? Did they work out well for you? How did they feel?