Getting ready for S&W 500 mag

[ShrinkMD]

I am about to put together an order for bullets, and another for powder/primers. I am hoping to make up some more economical (and easier to shoot) lead and jacketed rounds for when my 500 comes in.

It looks like there are loads for Unique and Trail Boss for lighter lead bullets, or even jacketed. How about for more full power? Is N110 from VV really the best powder for the 500? It seems so expensive. Alliant lists 350gr jacketed data with 2400, Power Pistol, and 300MP.

So, if you were going to try a few different powders to see what you, the gun, and the chronograph like, what would you order? And which bullets are the "best" for general plinking and having fun. I'm not hunting anything with it at the moment. And I'm not afraid of cleaning lead out, either.

 

[310Pilot]

I shoot cast lead bullets almost exclusively from both of my 500s (8 3/8" barrel and 4" barrel). I cast several bullets, from a 420 grain hollow point (keith style base) through a couple of 445-450 grain solids (one a gas check, the other a Keith style) up to 650 grain HP and 700 grain solids. For light loads, I like the 420-450 grain bullets over an appropriate charge of unique, for heavy loads, any of the bullets over a stiff charge of H110 work well. In any case, loading you own lets you take advantage of the tremendous versatility offered by the 500, and makes shooting them a whole lot more affordable. There's plenty of loading data available on the web from reliable sources. I have also loaded 350 grain solids to 1800-1900 fps, don't recall offhand what powder I used, definitely good through the long-tube gun, but muzzle blast from the 4" gun was absolutely horrible, made me recall the back blast from a 90mm recoiless rifle. Oh, BTW, the big bruiser bullets (700 grains) usually don't stabilize well from a 4" barrel. I haven't had any leading problems in either gun, and I shoot them a lot. Possibly due to the hardness I cast to, as well as proper lubing and sizing. I haven't tried any of the commercially available cast bullets, have used some Hornady and Sierra jacketed bullets, which work well. Have fun with that 500!

 

[mo84]

I have not tryed alot of different powders but I have switched from the expensive Hornady jacketed bullets to Berrys plated bullets to save on cost. IMO the 350 Gr. bullets don't really kick alot untill you start getting above listed max for jacketed bullets. The lighter the charge the less its going to kick and vice versa. Personally I dont care how accurate my bullets are and shoot them just for the fun so pushing the plated bullets faster than what they are made for is not an issue, and I do not get any leading from the higher charge so I'm happy. If I had more money I would try different powders. good luck with finding what suits you.

 

[bluetopper]

I shoot hard cast lead gas check bullets exclusively in my 500 Handi-rifle. I get the bullets either from Montana Bullet Works or Matt's Bullets. Both offer great bullets that don't lead your barrel even at velocities over 2,100fps; speeds you'll never achieve in a revolver.

My opinion......no use in buying expensive Vihtavuori powders at all. Accurate 4100, IMR-4227, or H-110 perform great in the 500.......4100 being the most versatile of the three and no magnum primer needed.

 

[125JHP]

The powders I have tried are W-296, Lil'Gun and AA-5744
296 had the most felt recoil and 5744 the least, but of course the loads were at the opposite ends of the spectrum too.

 

[PattonTime]

500 loads

I have had great luck with both Berry's 350 grain bullets and some Black coated cast lead bullets I bought , I can't recall who from.
Anyway, I use Power Pistol, several grains less then what Alliant lists on their
web site.
As I am just plinking more or less, thats all I need.
I believe my loads are just a bit over a 1000fps and out of my 4" gun they are very accurate.
I bought a non ported comp, from another member here, really cuts down on blast out of 4" barrel.

 

[CGT80]

I am loading for a 460. Trail Boss for light loads and Win 296/h-110 for hot loads. I just ordered some AA 5744 for mid range loads. 5744 will get me the same speed as my current hot load, but it will also go down to almost as slow as the trail boss loads. 296/110 can not be reduced.

I started casting bullets for my gun as well. I do not run a gas check with the trail boss powder. I am still new to the hand cannons as well. Good luck.

 

[Dnotarianni]

I have used Trail Boss, Unique, AA1680, Lil Gun, H110, H322, and H335. You can not do light loads with H110 as you get either detonation or fizzles. H322 and H335 will leave some unburned powder even with a Mag primer. I prefer Trail Boss for light loads and Unique for an all around powder with the 500 using cast heads from 325 to 630gr. AA1680 works nice for stiff loads. Never had any leading from my cast loads that are gas checked. For consistency try to get 90-100% fill with your powder leaving no air space. Easy way to do this is to pick your load then drop in a cork disk cut with a .500 punch then fill the rest with .410 felt wads. This keeps the powder against the primer in the rear of the case on light loads.
dave

 

[ShrinkMD]

Cleaning out the lead?

Ok, I should be getting it soon. Another question: What do I need to clean the thing?? I looked, and there doesn't seem to be a Lewis Lead Remover in 50 cal. What size brush should I use for the chambers? A shotgun size, or does someone make 50 cal chamber brushes? I found a bigger muzzle guide, and 50 cal bronze and nylon brushes for the bore.

But I wonder if a wad of Copper Chore Boy around a brush will keep the forcing cone clean?

 

[RobsTV]

Berry's plated 350gr and AA 5744 works great for 500 "Special" type loads that the wife can shoot, around 1250fps. When bumped up to max, around 1450fps, will be just below normal full force loads. You will probably want more power than this powder provides, just so you can see and feel the power the 500 was designed for.

A4100 (Enforcer) takes it a step higher and can come pretty close to duplicating some factory loads. But for me, its max is a little lower than what other powders should be able to do. Great with Berrys though, and seems pretty accurate pushing the 350gr bullets around 1650fps. Recoil is not bad at all. Clean burning and easy to measure.

Berry's Plated only cost around 20 cents each if you shop around. Good for 2000fps with their newest plating found on the 500 and 45-70. That puts them at less than many lead bullets with GC. For lowest cost, these are hard to top.

 

[RobsTV]

Ok, I should be getting it soon. Another question: What do I need to clean the thing?? I looked, and there doesn't seem to be a Lewis Lead Remover in 50 cal. What size brush should I use for the chambers? A shotgun size, or does someone make 50 cal chamber brushes? I found a bigger muzzle guide, and 50 cal bronze and nylon brushes for the bore.

But I wonder if a wad of Copper Chore Boy around a brush will keep the forcing cone clean?

For plated, lead in barrel is not a concern. Chore Boy and a brush if any did accumulate. With a SS 500, I like to keep the cylinder spotless, and a little Mothers polish every other session removes all traces of the "ring" that forms on end of cylinder.