I've read a lot about the S&W 500s but,
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Smitty500Mag
Member
The 460 might turn your motor over but the 500 will shoot a hole though your block!
Smitty
Combat_Diver
US Veteran
I fired a friends 460 (8") just before I deployed. I enjoyed shooting the .454 firsted then the Hornady 200 gr .460 next. Would love to have tried some 300 gr+ bullets but didn't have any. I'm thinking about one on my return home. Don't forget you can also shoot .45 S&W Scholfield.
CD
CD
buck460XVR
Member
I shoot approximately 100 rounds a month outta my 460XVR Compensated Hunter. It has become my primary weapon for deer hunting the last three years. I gave up shooting "reduced recoil" loads in it since there is no real cost advantage, and since they print so much differently than my regular loads. With the compensator and the weight and heft of the barrel, recoil is not much different than my 629 with hunting loads. My youngest son has shot it since he was 14, and even then shot it accurately and with minimal flinching. It still is not for the faint of heart..... and is not a gun that I generally shoot offhand. At the range it's always shot off bags, and in the field I either use the rest on the stand, or a shooting stick. At short range, it is as accurate as my 686's and out to 150 yards, it is as accurate as any of my other iron sighted long guns. It is definitely a gun for those that reload, as most factory ammo other than the Hornady 200 SSTs are priced over $2 a pop.
DonD
Member
I have two .500s and the issue you mention is the only thing that annoys me (nothing major) about the guns. I like to shoot a few cylinders of heavy stuff at each outing but shoot more mild loads. There is a vast difference in POI between say 370gr @16-1700 fps than a powderpuff of Trail Boss.
Just have to live with the good and the bad, right? Don
reloading_rich
Member
I just picked up a 500 S&W revolver and plan to use it for hunting. What grain bullet have you fella's tried and what were the results? I just bought 3 boxes of Barnes 275 Grain bullets and was thinking they they may be just right for deer. I have an Encore in this chambering and have had good results with Sierra 350 grain Sportmaster bullets over Lil Gun. I have tried a bunch of cast bullets all the way up to the 700 grain bullets and they all shot great out of the Encore.
chopper777
Member
The 460 might turn your motor over but the 500 will shoot a hole though your block!
Smitty
allthough the factory loads in 500 hasn`t got the power of a 460xvr?
the 500 has bigger diameter, but 460 has superior power as far as I know.
460 vs. 500
Either caliber has way more power than most will ever need, but the 500 is hands down the bigger thumper of the two. For example:
.460 S&W CorBon 395gr HC @ 1525 fps = 2040 ft/lbs KE
.500 S&W CorBon 440gr HC @ 1625 fps = 2580 ft/lbs KE
.460 S&W CorBon 275gr DPX @ 1825 fps = 2034 ft/lbs KE
.500 S&W CorBon 325gr DPX @ 1800 fps = 2338 ft/lbs KE
This, plus the extra "smackdown" of the 1/2" diameter is astonishing power in a handgun. The 460 is a fine gun, but my hand tells me that the 500 is on a whole new level of power. 'That said, Buffalo Bore makes a 360gr HC bullet for the 460 that moves at 1900 fps and generates 2800 ft/lbs of energy (Note: this cartridge is over SAAMI specs and I could not get it to function properly in my 460).
The 460 is versatile, no doubt, but if you reload it is no more versatile than its 50-cal big brother. If you utilize the 2.3" of overall cylinder length (a la John Ross), there is no production handgun that comes close to the power of the S&W 500.
Regards.
Either caliber has way more power than most will ever need, but the 500 is hands down the bigger thumper of the two. For example:
.460 S&W CorBon 395gr HC @ 1525 fps = 2040 ft/lbs KE
.500 S&W CorBon 440gr HC @ 1625 fps = 2580 ft/lbs KE
.460 S&W CorBon 275gr DPX @ 1825 fps = 2034 ft/lbs KE
.500 S&W CorBon 325gr DPX @ 1800 fps = 2338 ft/lbs KE
This, plus the extra "smackdown" of the 1/2" diameter is astonishing power in a handgun. The 460 is a fine gun, but my hand tells me that the 500 is on a whole new level of power. 'That said, Buffalo Bore makes a 360gr HC bullet for the 460 that moves at 1900 fps and generates 2800 ft/lbs of energy (Note: this cartridge is over SAAMI specs and I could not get it to function properly in my 460).
The 460 is versatile, no doubt, but if you reload it is no more versatile than its 50-cal big brother. If you utilize the 2.3" of overall cylinder length (a la John Ross), there is no production handgun that comes close to the power of the S&W 500.
Regards.
460 vs 500
I sold two of the 500 because of the price of the bullets to shoot in them were so much higher than the 45cal in my 460. I live in TN and really don't have any need for more gun than the 460 to hunt with. Both pack a big punch on both ends of the gun, but I think the 460 is less than the 500 in felt recoil. If you can shot them both side by side would be the best for you to make your own decision on the one you like.
I sold two of the 500 because of the price of the bullets to shoot in them were so much higher than the 45cal in my 460. I live in TN and really don't have any need for more gun than the 460 to hunt with. Both pack a big punch on both ends of the gun, but I think the 460 is less than the 500 in felt recoil. If you can shot them both side by side would be the best for you to make your own decision on the one you like.
DonD
Member
+1 on that. Although I doubt I would shoot many of them, I'd like a reputable lab to generate some load data on the .500 with slugs seated out to fill the cylinder. Don
JD 500
Member
Personally, I think you need to know wether you would be willing to reload.
IF you want to reload, I would reccomend the 500.
You can load powderpuffs with trailboss, on up to full power loads. In fact you can load a far wider range of felt recoil rounds than even the 45LC - 460mag spread.
IF you are going to reload, you can find reasonably priced bullets for the 500. Cast Lead and plated bullets are pretty reasonable, considering the cartridge.
IF you don't want to reload, I guess you could buy a 460, and just shoot 45LC out of it, but then you could also buy a 45LC chambered gun for less too....
IF you want to reload, I would reccomend the 500.
You can load powderpuffs with trailboss, on up to full power loads. In fact you can load a far wider range of felt recoil rounds than even the 45LC - 460mag spread.
IF you are going to reload, you can find reasonably priced bullets for the 500. Cast Lead and plated bullets are pretty reasonable, considering the cartridge.
IF you don't want to reload, I guess you could buy a 460, and just shoot 45LC out of it, but then you could also buy a 45LC chambered gun for less too....
The front signts are interchangeable, so why not get another front sight and file it until it shoots point of aim with your light loads? Just a thought.
chopper777
Member
I see that the different manufaturers of ammo has different loads. I looked at federal barnes x ammo.both with the same bulletweight. that is what my comment was based on. over here federal is the only factoryammo we can get hold of.
luckily I reload my own ammo
Federal Premium - Handgun Details
Federal Premium - Handgun Details
luckily I reload my own ammo
Federal Premium - Handgun Details
Federal Premium - Handgun Details
intheburbs
Member
Doubletap makes a cartridge for the 500 that pushes a 350-grain bullet at a claimed 1975 fps out of the 8 3/8" barrel for 3032 ft-lbs of energy. And it's only $40 for a box of 20.
I don't have a chronograph to confirm, but it's definitely the stoutest 500 round I've fired. Noticeable increase in recoil, flash and blast.
Mike also makes a cartridge with a 500-grain bullet that's pushed at 1500 fps for 2500 ft-lbs of energy. Haven't tried that one yet.
I don't have a chronograph to confirm, but it's definitely the stoutest 500 round I've fired. Noticeable increase in recoil, flash and blast.
Mike also makes a cartridge with a 500-grain bullet that's pushed at 1500 fps for 2500 ft-lbs of energy. Haven't tried that one yet.
460v LAC du FLAMBEAU
Member
I use Hornady SST's in my 5" model 460v and 4" model 500...200 & 300grain repectfully. The 460 Hornady ammo is half the price of the 500.
MWAG
Member
if you want loaded ammo for the 500, WWW.BALLISTICSUPPLY.NET > Home ( DNN 2.1.2 ) is the only was to go. they sell 50 round boxes for around $60.00 depending on the bullet you choose, all the way up to 700gr. for reloading Leadheads Bullets,Gas Checked and Plain Based Bullets has 440gr, 465gr and 500gr gas checked bullets for $84, $85 and $105 respectively in boxes of 250 bullets each. these are the 2 best deals i've found for the 500 magnum.
I bought my 460 instead of 500 for the simple reason the trajectory is better for deer hunting here.
It works well and shoots unbelievably accurate for a pistol. I dont need a big old turd of a bullet to kill a deer I need something that going to get there and do the job when it does. Come to find out the hornaday bullets did just fine over 100 yards took 1 step sat up fell over and deer hunting was over.
The main reason was I didnt want to run into the same problem that you have with 41 mag and that is bullet selection and price.
It works well and shoots unbelievably accurate for a pistol. I dont need a big old turd of a bullet to kill a deer I need something that going to get there and do the job when it does. Come to find out the hornaday bullets did just fine over 100 yards took 1 step sat up fell over and deer hunting was over.
The main reason was I didnt want to run into the same problem that you have with 41 mag and that is bullet selection and price.
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Still waiting...
Ballistic Supply is definitely the best place to buy loaded ammo for the 500, but when are they gonna be back up and running??? It seems like it's taking them forever to get set up.
Does anybody know what's going on with them?
Ballistic Supply is definitely the best place to buy loaded ammo for the 500, but when are they gonna be back up and running??? It seems like it's taking them forever to get set up.
Does anybody know what's going on with them?
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