I have been looking at the S & W 500 mag. Shot 8 3/8" and 4". Great guns and alot of recoil. Looking at the SW web page looks like they offer it in a 6" as well. The gun will be used as pack gun for Alaska trips, but would also shoot at the range. (Posted for some "light" loads). Anyone with experiences or opions to share?
S & W 500 which barrel length 4", 6" or 8 3/8"
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Uraldriver
Member
Well for packing around I'd go for the 4", I have a John Ross
5" uncompensated PC model and it is great for Holster Carry.
I usually load 375 Grain-440 Grain bullets around 1100-1200 FPS for range shooting and Deer & Black bear. I have not shot any of these animals yet but I suspect the loads will work well.
I would also recomend looking up some of John Ross' Loading data using IMR & Hodgdon rifle powders.
5" uncompensated PC model and it is great for Holster Carry.
I usually load 375 Grain-440 Grain bullets around 1100-1200 FPS for range shooting and Deer & Black bear. I have not shot any of these animals yet but I suspect the loads will work well.
I would also recomend looking up some of John Ross' Loading data using IMR & Hodgdon rifle powders.
I love the 500. It is a fantastically versatile cartridge. I have 5 of them at the moment.
A 2 3/4", 4" (truly a 3" with 1" comp), 5", 6 1/2" and a 12".
If I were in your shoes and money were not an issue, I would go for the John Ross 5" Performance Center version. If budget is a concern, I would pick up the 6 1/2" production version. They are probably $350 or $450 apart in price.
Both of these are half lug barrel profiles so they will be somewhat lighter for carrying.
For a mild load I put 40 grains of AA1680 behind a 400 grain cast projectile.
Truth is that load is pleasant with most jacketed or lead projectiles from 350 - 500 grains.
WC680 is a surplus powder that has the burn rate of AA1680. It will work just fine when you can get your hands on some.
A 2 3/4", 4" (truly a 3" with 1" comp), 5", 6 1/2" and a 12".
If I were in your shoes and money were not an issue, I would go for the John Ross 5" Performance Center version. If budget is a concern, I would pick up the 6 1/2" production version. They are probably $350 or $450 apart in price.
Both of these are half lug barrel profiles so they will be somewhat lighter for carrying.
For a mild load I put 40 grains of AA1680 behind a 400 grain cast projectile.
Truth is that load is pleasant with most jacketed or lead projectiles from 350 - 500 grains.
WC680 is a surplus powder that has the burn rate of AA1680. It will work just fine when you can get your hands on some.
I have both a 4" and 8 3/8" 500, and like them both. I will say that the 4" can be unpleasant to shoot with some loads (Notably high speed loads with lighter bullets, such as a 350 grain bullet at around 1600-1800 fps), primarily due to the muzzle blast (the porting on the 4" barrel just seems to put enough out to the side and back that it can become annoying). However, with the right load, it is a real kick (pun intended) to shoot. The 8 3/8" gun is good with any and all loads, but I prefer a 420 - 500 grain bullet at 1100 - 1500 fps from the 4 " gun, not nearly as much annoying muzzle blast as with the higher speed light bullet loads. I have never been very recoil sensitive, in fact, I enjoy a bit of recoil, and, when I found the loads that my 4" gun likes best (a 420 grain lead HP that I cast, running in the afore-mentioned velocity range), it went from a gun I seriously considered selling (and I almost NEVER sell a gun) to one of my favorites. In fact, on that range trip, I shot the 8 3/8" gun a bit at first, then tried the 4" with the new loads - I just kept on shooting the 4", it was more fun with those loads, ran through about 80-100 in the 4", only shot about 20-25 in the long tube gun that day. I only quit because I was nearly out of ammo and the sun was going down. Both guns are fun, if the 4" gun had a "non-ported" tube available to replace the compensators with (such as the one 500 Magnum Nut made), it would probably be even better in most instances. However, I recommend getting the 8 3/8" gun for your first foray into 500 land - it does have a bit less recoil than the 4" gun (yes, there is a difference in recoil), and the end of the barrel is farther away, and the porting does not tend to direct the gasses back at you, so it is a bit easier to shoot well. I caution you, though, they do grow on you, and can become addictive!
DonD
Member
I've had the 6.5" half lug, 6.5" PC unfluted cylinder and the 8 3/8th". I now only have the PC and long barrel. Of the three I prefer the longest barreled model. It is more accurate for me and is much more pleasant to shoot than the half lug which is considerably lighter and most of the longer barreled model's weight is forward, reducing climb during recoil. Don
Mine has the four-inch barrel, optimal to my mind for general purpose shooting. It is extremely accurate with soft to moderate loads at close to middle distances. The long barrel might be better for hunting and has the advantage of stabilizing heavier slugs; the 600 and 700 gr loads are not recommended in four-inch barrels because they can start tumbling not far out of the tube. That may not matter if you are shooting at a charging grizzly only 10 yards away, but the massive loads should probably be avoided for long range work from a shorter barrel.
I know a lot of people like the John Ross version, and I appreciate the thought that went into its design. But I haven't yet felt a burning need to acquire one.
I have the feeling that a 4" 500 and a 460 with the 8-3/8" barrel may constitute the optimal combination of X-frame revolvers. Preferable to a long 500 and shorter 460, at any rate.
I know a lot of people like the John Ross version, and I appreciate the thought that went into its design. But I haven't yet felt a burning need to acquire one.
I have the feeling that a 4" 500 and a 460 with the 8-3/8" barrel may constitute the optimal combination of X-frame revolvers. Preferable to a long 500 and shorter 460, at any rate.
Keep in mind you mentioned hunting and that requires a thought or two about portability.
I've hunted for decades with 8 3/8" 29's and 57's. They do offer better muzzle velocity and sight radius (if used with open sights). But man, they can be a PIA for carry as well as adding just that much more weight to what you're carrying.
I carried all the 500's, shot them all and settled for a 6.5 as the best all-around compromise for a packing/hunting 500... Other barrel lengths certainly have their good points, especially for range use but for primary hunting use the 6.5 is a great choice....
I've gotta say that the half-lug 6.5 is the best lookin' 500, too...
Uraldriver
Member
I like the looks of that 6.5" as well. I am not sure how much velocity is lost I have a few loads left that I loaded when I had my 7.5" gun. I'll shoot afew over the chrono the next time I go to the range. I don't think its very much, and I doubt any thing shot with a 440 grain bullet will notice 100 fps or so
Dan
Dan
ohiococonut
Member
It's going to boil down to how much weight you want to pack.
The cartridge isn't marginal for anything, even if it intends to have you for lunch, so I wouldn't be concerned about velocity loss in the shorter barrels. That 1/2" slug will ruin any critters day.
I also have 5 of them but I'm not partial to any of them, I like them all!
The cartridge isn't marginal for anything, even if it intends to have you for lunch, so I wouldn't be concerned about velocity loss in the shorter barrels. That 1/2" slug will ruin any critters day.
I also have 5 of them but I'm not partial to any of them, I like them all!
I have the 8” and 4” 500 Magnum guns and also the 8” 460 Magnum
You mention you wanted a “pack” gun
Without a doubt the 4” is the choice, it carries well and handles more like an N-frame gun than it’s longer barreled X frame Brothers.
I can shoot the 8” and the 4” 500 about the same to about 50 yards, then the longer sight radius makes the 8” gun more effective on longer shots out to 100 yards.
(For this reason I would not deliberately take shots past ~ 50 yards with the 4” gun)
But, for close range backup in Alaska you couldn’t do better.
If carry is not an issue I think the 460 is a better hunter than the 500’s in any barrel length
Nothing on the planet is safe under 200 yards with the 460
It also shoots flat like a rifle at this yardage.
As far as recoil goes, I can’t speak to factory loading since I Handload everything but due to the advanced muzzle break on the 4” 500, recoil is much less than the 8” gun shooting the same loadings.
The longer barrel (In the 500) also allows the large heavy bullets to apply inertial torque of the bullet longer. This is what makes the gun feel like it is going to “twist” out of your hand when shooting it.
The “gain twist” rifling in the long barreled 460 Magnum almost eliminates this attribute when firing.
With the right bullet and load selected, the 460 and or the 500 will kill anything that walks, crawls; fly’s or swims on the planet.
Good Luck
My X frame guns.
The 460 Magnum
dwever
Member
From Camping & Hiking Ammunition | Ballistics 101
When in bear country, magnum is the key word. While a 10 or 12 gauge slug would be great as would many rifles, they are not practical to carry. For bear country you would want a deep penetration round in a minimum of 357 magnum, 10mm, 41 magnum, but preferably 44 magnum, 454 casull, 460, 480 Ruger, 500SW. Even in these larger calibers, studies show that less than 60% of Brown bears are stopped with handguns, and when successfull it took at least four shots to stop the charging bear. I think it's quite a feat to be able to deliver 4 well placed shots into a charging bear, when fear, adrenaline and flashbacks of life are throbbing thru your viens.
Alternatively, 97% of bears are stopped with a 9oz. can of bear spray. Comparing the percentages, a firearm should actually be carried as a second line of defense should the bear spray prove ineffetive.
When in bear country, magnum is the key word. While a 10 or 12 gauge slug would be great as would many rifles, they are not practical to carry. For bear country you would want a deep penetration round in a minimum of 357 magnum, 10mm, 41 magnum, but preferably 44 magnum, 454 casull, 460, 480 Ruger, 500SW. Even in these larger calibers, studies show that less than 60% of Brown bears are stopped with handguns, and when successfull it took at least four shots to stop the charging bear. I think it's quite a feat to be able to deliver 4 well placed shots into a charging bear, when fear, adrenaline and flashbacks of life are throbbing thru your viens.
Alternatively, 97% of bears are stopped with a 9oz. can of bear spray. Comparing the percentages, a firearm should actually be carried as a second line of defense should the bear spray prove ineffetive.
Former SE Alaska resident here, who is actually use to packing guns around in bear country day in and day out for self defense (not just some range rat, hunter, or someone who reads studies)!
Anything except the 4" .500, will be absolutely ludicrous! Even it, is a huge heavy chunk of steel, which makes it kind of slow to get into action. You will most likely be surprised, so lightning speed will be everything!
If I lived up there today, I would probably go with spray and a fast little Ruger Alaskan .454, backing up the very handy Marlin 1895SBL if I had the opportunity to have a long gun along. The only case where I might pack the X-frame, is if I absolutely could not have a long gun, and then only the 4" would be anywhere close to being practical.
Read and believe.... http://www.takdriver.com/showthread.php?t=723
Anything except the 4" .500, will be absolutely ludicrous! Even it, is a huge heavy chunk of steel, which makes it kind of slow to get into action. You will most likely be surprised, so lightning speed will be everything!
If I lived up there today, I would probably go with spray and a fast little Ruger Alaskan .454, backing up the very handy Marlin 1895SBL if I had the opportunity to have a long gun along. The only case where I might pack the X-frame, is if I absolutely could not have a long gun, and then only the 4" would be anywhere close to being practical.
Read and believe.... http://www.takdriver.com/showthread.php?t=723
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Redhawk1
Member
I have been shooting the 500 Mag from day one, I have also owned just about everyone of the models they made. To me the 8 5/8 is my choice. I have fired well over 10,000 rounds of 500 mag in the past 10 years, from 275 to 700 gr.. I have taken a lot of deer, hogs and some black bear with my 500 mag. To me a 8 5/8 worked best for me with open sights.
Also....whether on the street or in the woods, bad things mostly go down in the dark of night! Lighting is just as important as any other part of your self defense gear! Can you shoot a big heavy clumsy handgun accurately with one hand, while holding a light in the other?
I'm in black bear country now, and my hiking/backpacking/riding gun choice is the 329NG, which comes with a nice night sight.
I'm in black bear country now, and my hiking/backpacking/riding gun choice is the 329NG, which comes with a nice night sight.
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DonD
Member
Ah, those mutated bears with depleted uranium armor, they soak up unbelievable amounts of ammo. One properly placed shot with a heavy load.500 will stop any bear, end of story. 4 properly placed shots to stop a bear, I don't think so and I readily admit I've never been involved with a bear.
Pepper spray, give me a break. I've seen a police video where a guy took a face full of an industrial sized spray bottle and just shrugged it off. You think a bear that wants you for dinner is really going to give it up for a bit of spray? Second line of defense for the firearm??? At the ranges spray would work, you won't have a second chance to use a gun. Don
You always want every tool possible at your disposal! Spray will probably only be workable in daylight, and if you are not surprised....but I want it in my bag of tricks, just the same as if I was a LEO working the streets.
The people to admire, are the ones who can get along with bears day in and day out, without ever having a problem. We had a big brown bear that would swim across the bay every morning as regular as clockwork (never did see him return back however), to scavange the beaches on the offshore islands. We never bothered him, and he never bothered us. Not exactly some bloodthirsty demon.....
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ohiococonut
Member
ohiococonut and Colt SSA are the "guru's" here of the 500.... It's always a treat to see pictures of their guns.... How about it, guys?
Thanks TDC but I believe John Ross deserves that distinction. I do have a few so I'll post my pictures.
And the little beast.
The pic is a few years old but here is some of what I've loaded for it.
I've loaded bullets from 225gr to 700gr and in my estimation it is the most versatile cartridge out there in terms of bullet weight and powder combinations.
QUOTE* Anything except the 4" .500, will be absolutely ludicrous!
That is a ludicrous statement in itself. In the same respect some people can't handle more than a .357 and think the 500 is in excess but we've managed to harness and control its power. Why is it so hard to believe that others can't handle a heavy revolver equally as well? I'm not one to believe in self imposed limitations just because someone else can't handle it.
We've gotten over "The 44 Magnum is the most powerful handgun in the world" so this too shall pass
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