I'm going to reload some Smith & Wesson .500 rounds for a friend. I could use some advice on bullet, powder and OACL. He uses a scope and wants to use these reloads to hunt with, deer I would guess. Yes, I can use the reloading manuals I own, but want some real-world experience. Thank you.
S & W 500 reloads
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500 Magnum Nut
Member
I use Hodgen H110. It meters great and fills the case so no chance of a double charge.
Sierra 350 gn HP will destroy the meat being a hp but the 400 gn jsp will do the job. I don't think the deer will walk more than 3 steps if hit right. The bullet won't be recovered. 50 cal hole in front, bigger exit hole. Use Winchester LR primers with 35 gns of powder. Use a heavy crimp at the cannelure. I trim the cases at 1.615 long. This is important for a consistant crimp.
Save me a steak.
Sierra 350 gn HP will destroy the meat being a hp but the 400 gn jsp will do the job. I don't think the deer will walk more than 3 steps if hit right. The bullet won't be recovered. 50 cal hole in front, bigger exit hole. Use Winchester LR primers with 35 gns of powder. Use a heavy crimp at the cannelure. I trim the cases at 1.615 long. This is important for a consistant crimp.
Save me a steak.
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Skip Sackett
US Veteran
I had the opportunity of loading the 500 Magnum for a Handi-Rifle I had for a short time. That thing was constructed to throw all of the recoil straight into your shoulder! Got rid of it but still have the data somewhere!
I do remember that I used a 325gr Gold Dot and 41gr of Lil' Gun with LR primers. Thumped like a mule! Gave me well over 2100fps from the longer barrel.
I also had a light load using Trail Boss powder. I did as the Hodgdon Tech told me, "Fill the case up to where the base of the bullet sits with powder and that is your load." Came out to 16gr or so. It gave somewhere in the region of 1300fps from the Handi.
Didn't keep it long enough to really work out the loads. I'll tell you what though, something gets hit under 100 yards with a 325gr bullet doing 2100fps and if it takes 3 steps, it ought to be eating me!
I do remember that I used a 325gr Gold Dot and 41gr of Lil' Gun with LR primers. Thumped like a mule! Gave me well over 2100fps from the longer barrel.
I also had a light load using Trail Boss powder. I did as the Hodgdon Tech told me, "Fill the case up to where the base of the bullet sits with powder and that is your load." Came out to 16gr or so. It gave somewhere in the region of 1300fps from the Handi.
Didn't keep it long enough to really work out the loads. I'll tell you what though, something gets hit under 100 yards with a 325gr bullet doing 2100fps and if it takes 3 steps, it ought to be eating me!
500 Mag nut is right on with his data, especially the H110. I don't hunt, so can't advise on bullets for that.
Lead Head bullets is my fav source for bullets. He has the 440gr lead gas checked bullet that Corbon uses. Owner is a total character and will share all kinds of data, so make sure you have time in your day to talk as you will be on the phone awhile. He is very knowledgeable and will help guide you to perfect loads. He helped to develop Corbons loads and told me their factory load with the 440 lead is 38 gr of H110. I have done extensive testing with this bullet and multiple loads, powders and primers. This is the best with my scoped 8-3/8" 500. I use Fed large rifle primers and am getting an average velocity of 1617 (@ 4800' elevation) and a 3/4" group at 50 yards. Leadheads Bullets,Gas Checked and Plain Based Bullets is web and direct is 620-549-6475 (Kansas)
Try also the Trailboss powder for light loads. I use 10 gr of Trailboss with the 440 and get 780fps and about a 1" group at 50 yards. It is like shooting a big 38 special.
Hope some of this helps, good luck!
Lead Head bullets is my fav source for bullets. He has the 440gr lead gas checked bullet that Corbon uses. Owner is a total character and will share all kinds of data, so make sure you have time in your day to talk as you will be on the phone awhile. He is very knowledgeable and will help guide you to perfect loads. He helped to develop Corbons loads and told me their factory load with the 440 lead is 38 gr of H110. I have done extensive testing with this bullet and multiple loads, powders and primers. This is the best with my scoped 8-3/8" 500. I use Fed large rifle primers and am getting an average velocity of 1617 (@ 4800' elevation) and a 3/4" group at 50 yards. Leadheads Bullets,Gas Checked and Plain Based Bullets is web and direct is 620-549-6475 (Kansas)
Try also the Trailboss powder for light loads. I use 10 gr of Trailboss with the 440 and get 780fps and about a 1" group at 50 yards. It is like shooting a big 38 special.
Hope some of this helps, good luck!
Remington 385 grain Core Lockt HP on top of 42 grains of H110.
These are pictured next to some Remington 41 Magnum Semi Jacket HPs for comparison
This is a nice projectile. It has been manufactured by Remington with and without the cannelure at various times.
This will not have the massive upset that the Gold Dot projectile has (have not tried the Sierra myself). If it does exit, it will do so with far less remaining energy than the SP.
These are pictured next to some Remington 41 Magnum Semi Jacket HPs for comparison
This is a nice projectile. It has been manufactured by Remington with and without the cannelure at various times.
This will not have the massive upset that the Gold Dot projectile has (have not tried the Sierra myself). If it does exit, it will do so with far less remaining energy than the SP.
Personally, I don't see a need to go much over 1,000fps for a hunting load with the 440 grain bullet. Unless you use a thin jacketed bullet you probably will have complete penetration at any angle. For most individuals shooting the 500 Smith using 440 grain bullets at velocities of 1,300fps or greater won't enjoy themselves much when practicing, as the felt recoil is getting up there and when you go over 1,500fps I don't find any enjoyment at that velocity – none, nuca kaput. Find an accurate load between 900 & 1,000fps and your friend will enjoy shooting his 500 Mag and will harvest any sized mule or whitetail deer in the area as well as black bear, hog etc. For larger boned game such as elk, moose, bison or the large bears you can increase the velocity a little if you feel the need – a 440 or 500 grain hardcast bullet at 1,200fps will probably provide complete penetration at any angle.
15 grains of HS-6 with the 440 grain hardcast will give you somewhere around 930 fps.
28 grains of IMR-4227 with the 440 grain hardcast bullet is just over the 1,000fps mark.
30.5 grains of N120 with the 440 grain hardcast flies around the 1,000fps mark.
For the big stuff, 34 grains of IMR-4227 with the 440 grain hardcast will get you around the 1,250fps mark along with a lot more "felt recoil" – you'll get around the same velocity using a 500 grain hardcast bullet with 32 grains of IMR-4227.
I don't much like H-110, as the recoil is sharper than IMR-4227 & N120 with the same velocities and you usually are around the top end when using H-110.
15 grains of HS-6 with the 440 grain hardcast will give you somewhere around 930 fps.
28 grains of IMR-4227 with the 440 grain hardcast bullet is just over the 1,000fps mark.
30.5 grains of N120 with the 440 grain hardcast flies around the 1,000fps mark.
For the big stuff, 34 grains of IMR-4227 with the 440 grain hardcast will get you around the 1,250fps mark along with a lot more "felt recoil" – you'll get around the same velocity using a 500 grain hardcast bullet with 32 grains of IMR-4227.
I don't much like H-110, as the recoil is sharper than IMR-4227 & N120 with the same velocities and you usually are around the top end when using H-110.
I have shot 500s quite extensively for about 7 years, got one of the first ones that came out in '03. My pet load is a 440gr. CastPerformance (although I'm sure that any good hard-cast 440 gas-check bullet would be equally good) over 40.0 grains of H110/W296 and a LR primer. Over my chronograph they are within 30fps of the CorBon load, with no signs of excessive pressure.
When you say "pet load" - are you talking about the load providing the greatest accuracy in your revolver, your everyday plinking load or your hunting/shoot anything round? I have the JR model 500, which doesn't have the compensator and whenever I've ventured into that velocity level with 440 grain hardcast bullets I don't ever recall enjoying anything about it. With the 4" compensated model it wasn't near as harsh but still not enjoyable. The 8-1/2" compensated model can soak up a little of that felt recoil but I wouldn't think a 60 to 75 round shooting session would be any fun at all but then again maybe I'm just getting weaker, as I was taught "pain is only weakness leaving the body".
A fair question. My "pet load" is roughly the equivalent of the CorBon 440 grain load which was, at least back in the early days of the 500, considered to be the stiffest from a power/recoil standpoint. I have two 500s, an early 8 3/8" with the fixed comp, and a 4" with a switchable/detachable comp. I find that I shoot the longer gun a lot more than the shorter. Actual felt recoil of the two is pretty comparable with the shorter gun perhaps being just a tiny bit "softer" on the hand, undoubtedly due to a more effective/efficient comp. But the blast and concussive punch of the 4" is considerably worse. I am able to shoot the longer gun quite well. I find this load effective and accurate. I'm disinclined to shoot light loads out of a 500. If I want a less powerful gun, I've got those and will shoot them. I don't criticize others who might feel differently, that's simply my feeling on the matter. And I am the first to admit that any shooting session with these are going to be brief and I can't think of one where I ever went over 30-35 rounds.
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.460V & XVR Magnum Man
Member
Does anyone here know of anyone or any place who handloads for these .500's & .460's?
I was wondering if you guys know of anyone here or any place who does loading for anyone else. I know of safety issues, but was wondering if there is any place, or person that takes and reloads someones brass? In a little town close to San Diego we had a man who had a shop and we could bring in our brass and turn it in to him and he would do reloads to customers requests. It was called Wimpy's and he was a semi retired Lt. Colonel USMC. He was a real professional and it was sure a loss when he retired fully and closed down his business, he sure had some great stories too, along with the reloads. Let me know if anyone knows of someplace or someone like this.
Thanks,
I was wondering if you guys know of anyone here or any place who does loading for anyone else. I know of safety issues, but was wondering if there is any place, or person that takes and reloads someones brass? In a little town close to San Diego we had a man who had a shop and we could bring in our brass and turn it in to him and he would do reloads to customers requests. It was called Wimpy's and he was a semi retired Lt. Colonel USMC. He was a real professional and it was sure a loss when he retired fully and closed down his business, he sure had some great stories too, along with the reloads. Let me know if anyone knows of someplace or someone like this.
Thanks,
4MUL8R
Member
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