help with 500 revolver reloading questions

[worlds_deadliest_catch]

I'm hoping some one can tell me what primers,projectiles, and powder should be purchased for reloading and where they can be purchased from? I'm buying them as a gift for my girl friends father who recently purchased a s&w 500 revolver and is really in to reloading. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[STCM(SW)]

Most new 500 brass is made to take LR primers, I have shot different jacketed & lead bullets.
Several powders are OK such as lii'l Gun, 296/H110, H4227.
Shot a deer with a 350 gr HDY XTP loaded with lil'gun several years ago.
Have tried them all, but every revolver likes it's own load....

 

[worlds_deadliest_catch]

Thanks for the quick reply, I am going to order the powder tonight. Will Winchester Large Pistol/Magnum Primers work for reloading the 500?

 

[STCM(SW)]

As I posted, LR primers are now used in the 500 Magnum & recommended .

 

[DonD]

Most new 500 brass is made to take LR primers, I have shot different jacketed & lead bullets.
Several powders are OK such as lii'l Gun, 296/H110, H4227.
Shot a deer with a 350 gr HDY XTP loaded with lil'gun several years ago.
Have tried them all, but every revolver likes it's own load....

To that you can add Titegroup for lighter loads and for "plinking" loads, Trail Boss is excellent, turns the gun into a giant .38 Special.

Good luck on finding powder and primers, if you haven't checked, they're in very short supply. Don

 

[worlds_deadliest_catch]

Thank you guys for the help, the one thing I do have is suppliers. Last night I decided to purchase a reloading manual for the 500, as I wouldn't want to jeopardize anybody's safety. I've purchased 50 bullets for him in the mean time.

 

[DHOLLA]

I'd make a recommendation of staying away from Tite Group in the 500.

 

[worlds_deadliest_catch]

How much is it costing you per round when you reload the 500? If possible it would be great to get a list of every item you use.

 

[ruggyh]

There are numerous possible combinations of bullets, powder, and primer brands that could be used.
Cost vary dependant on all those variables and addition options such as casting your own bullets.
Cost will also vary dependant on the quantity of product an individual buys and whom he buys it from.
That said the 500 can be loaded from about 20 cents to several dollars per round.
Start with a reloading manual and use those combinations recommended.
Good luck and practice safe reloading- start low and work your way up.

PS. Titegroup is a very poor choice for beginer reloaders and magnum rounds in general.

 

[DonD]

I'd make a recommendation of staying away from Tite Group in the 500.

Why is that?? I've used it with no issues for years. It's also in Hodgdon's reloading data. Don

 

[H Richard]

Titegroup is a very fast burning powder, and is not recommended for larger cases. In larger cases slower burning powders are favored. A rule of thumb is to reload with a powder that will fill at least 85% of the case capacity (after bullet seating). It is more efficient, and more accurate normally.

 

[ruggyh]

It is very easy to double charge and Kaboom

There are many better suited powders especially for those new to reloading for the 500 S&W.

Your trailboss suggestion was a much better for reduced loads - no chance of an overpressure condition.

John Ross published pretty good list of loads that are safe and effective which can be found on his site.

Why is that?? I've used it with no issues for years. It's also in Hodgdon's reloading data. Don

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Ruggyh:

Can you please tell me how you reload 500MAG for .20 cents a round? There is no possible way you can even buy just a .500 bullet for .20 cents.Even if you are using once fired cases that you got for "free" you will never buy a primer,powder and a bullet for .20 cents.

 

[ruggyh]

If you cast your bullets and your lead is free your reloading cost will be around 20 cents (primer and powder)

 

[DonD]

If you cast your bullets and your lead is free your reloading cost will be around 20 cents (primer and powder)

Hear this all the time, someone has a source of free lead, most of us don't. Most tire shops recycle the lead, no freebies. Commercial casting lead is pretty expensive, so for most of us the prices are far, far higher. Don

 

[DonD]

Titegroup is a very fast burning powder, and is not recommended for larger cases. In larger cases slower burning powders are favored. A rule of thumb is to reload with a powder that will fill at least 85% of the case capacity (after bullet seating). It is more efficient, and more accurate normally.

In general, that is good advice, however if you visually check the charges, a double charge isn't an issue and Titegroup is a good powder.

Titegroup bridges the gap between Trail Boss and more potent powders like 4227, W296, H110 and Lil Gun. Don

 

[STCM(SW)]

If you can't reload for a lot less then a 500 factory price, you are not doing something right...

 

[DonD]

If you can't reload for a lot less then a 500 factory price, you are not doing something right...

Of course you can, buying all my components, not casting and not counting brass, I can reload quality hard cast, heavy loads for about 52 cents per round, far less than the nearly $3 shot you pay for commercial ammo. Don

 

[DHOLLA]

Hear this all the time, someone has a source of free lead, most of us don't. Most tire shops recycle the lead, no freebies. Commercial casting lead is pretty expensive, so for most of us the prices are far, far higher. Don

See if your local range will let you sift/mine out the backstops for lead.

 

[retiredsquid]

I've been using TiteGroup for years without a problem. Been hand loading for around forty years. For the beginner it might not be the best choice.