S&W 500ES snub shooting experience.

[BugBeard]

I finally got a chance to shoot the S&W 500ES 'snub nosed' 500 S&W at the range today.

I was pretty apprehensive about shooting this gun from all the stories and hype about the 500 cartridge, but I'm happy to say that it is highly shootable with the right load. The full house loads live up to the legend though.

First shot was a 275gr cor-bon JHP barnes DPX 500 special. These felt equivalent to a 38+P from a 22oz gun, such as a 649. I shot a full cylinder of these before I decided I was going to go broke too fast.

Next, was a 350gr cor-bon FMJ 500 special. These felt more like a standard 357 out of a 649. Not too crazy, but not completely comfy either.

Last, and I only shot 2 of these, was the 440gr LFN GC rated at 1625fps & 2579ft lb from buffalo bore. Now these were downright CRAZY. I shot one and my hand went numb (nerve damage ahoy) and a big cloud of smoke enveloped me like a fog. I've never seen recoil like that before. It was a big step above anything else.

I was hesitant to shoot one more but I had to "get back on the horse". But the second time wasn't as bad because I was more relaxed and absorbed the recoil better but the gun flip that time was pretty much 90 degrees!!

In any case, I feel good about this gun, it is really shootable with 500 special, and the hot and heavy loads are doable, but I don't really want to shoot them if I can help it.

I think I'm going to have to find a compromise round for carry vs. big game

, and either find some cheap ammo or start reloading. I'm already saving the brass for that.

Anyways, that's my 500 snub experience in case anyone has been curious about these guns.

 

[BugBeard]

I finally got a chance to shoot the S&W 500ES 'snub nosed' 500 S&W at the range today.

I was pretty apprehensive about shooting this gun from all the stories and hype about the 500 cartridge, but I'm happy to say that it is highly shootable with the right load. The full house loads live up to the legend though.

First shot was a 275gr cor-bon JHP barnes DPX 500 special. These felt equivalent to a 38+P from a 22oz gun, such as a 649. I shot a full cylinder of these before I decided I was going to go broke too fast.

Next, was a 350gr cor-bon FMJ 500 special. These felt more like a standard 357 out of a 649. Not too crazy, but not completely comfy either.

Last, and I only shot 2 of these, was the 440gr LFN GC rated at 1625fps & 2579ft lb from buffalo bore. Now these were downright CRAZY. I shot one and my hand went numb (nerve damage ahoy) and a big cloud of smoke enveloped me like a fog. I've never seen recoil like that before. It was a big step above anything else.

I was hesitant to shoot one more but I had to "get back on the horse". But the second time wasn't as bad because I was more relaxed and absorbed the recoil better but the gun flip that time was pretty much 90 degrees!!

In any case, I feel good about this gun, it is really shootable with 500 special, and the hot and heavy loads are doable, but I don't really want to shoot them if I can help it.

I think I'm going to have to find a compromise round for carry vs. big game

, and either find some cheap ammo or start reloading. I'm already saving the brass for that.

Anyways, that's my 500 snub experience in case anyone has been curious about these guns.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Sounds like you had fun with your new toy, I bet the hand is telling you about it 24 hrs later. To much gun for this old man, but I love hearing about them. The last 460 that I shoot was big enough for me. The 454 and the 45 colt were fun in it. Enjoy and have fun

.

 

[stevieboy]

44 magnum is about all I can take and as far as I'll ever go. But, enjoy your gun.

 

[Shorty4T]

Congrats on the new ride BugBeard. I've always liked the big boomers. They are such fun to shoot. However my affliction is normally geared to rifles that start with 4 and above. The 500 is definately on my list though. I'm thinking about a 4". Some pics would be nice

.

Cheers,
Sam

 

[HHI 812]

Bugbeard,

How was the accuracy with either Special loads? Just got a 500ES too, and cur.ous how it shoots for you. can you e-mail me at [email protected]

Thanks,

Dennis

 

[kennyb]

the snubby 460and 500 both shoot like champs!!

 

[HHI 812]

kennyb,
You got both!!! Lucky man! I'm not getting any younger, so wanted to shoot some milder loads, and reason I was inquiring about the 500 Special rounds. Was just concerned about the long jump of the short case in the long chamber. Not sure what kind of groups at say 25 yards is good for a gun like this?
Thanks,
Dennis

 

[kennyb]

dennis....i get great groups at 25 yards...i have the 460 es and my brother actually has the 500es(both snubs)
i also have the 500 hunter pc hunter....i reload so you can load at the special levelon up thru the handcannon loads LOL.i have found them all to be entirely accurate!

 

[HHI 812]

kennyb,
So you really didn't see accuracy fall from either guns using such short brass? If it shoots just as accurate, I'll give a try reloading the shorter brass. You think you got maybe 2" groups or possibly less with the 500 Special? Was that with which factory load? You guys shoot the 45 Colt in the 460ES too? And that shot pretty good too, say again maybe 2" or better?
Thanks,
Dennis

 

[kennyb]

yes...2"groups are very doable.....i have not shot 500 special..i reload the standard brass anywhere from 300-500 gr.hornady

 

[HHI 812]

Originally posted by BugBeard:
I finally got a chance to shoot the S&W 500ES 'snub nosed' 500 S&W at the range today.

I was pretty apprehensive about shooting this gun from all the stories and hype about the 500 cartridge, but I'm happy to say that it is highly shootable with the right load. The full house loads live up to the legend though.

First shot was a 275gr cor-bon JHP barnes DPX 500 special. These felt equivalent to a 38+P from a 22oz gun, such as a 649. I shot a full cylinder of these before I decided I was going to go broke too fast.

Next, was a 350gr cor-bon FMJ 500 special. These felt more like a standard 357 out of a 649. Not too crazy, but not completely comfy either.

Last, and I only shot 2 of these, was the 440gr LFN GC rated at 1625fps & 2579ft lb from buffalo bore. Now these were downright CRAZY. I shot one and my hand went numb (nerve damage ahoy) and a big cloud of smoke enveloped me like a fog. I've never seen recoil like that before. It was a big step above anything else.

I was hesitant to shoot one more but I had to "get back on the horse". But the second time wasn't as bad because I was more relaxed and absorbed the recoil better but the gun flip that time was pretty much 90 degrees!!

In any case, I feel good about this gun, it is really shootable with 500 special, and the hot and heavy loads are doable, but I don't really want to shoot them if I can help it.

I think I'm going to have to find a compromise round for carry vs. big game

, and either find some cheap ammo or start reloading. I'm already saving the brass for that.

Anyways, that's my 500 snub experience in case anyone has been curious about these guns.

Bugbeard,

You still have your 500ES?

Thanks,

Dennis
e-mail at [email protected]

 

[ohiococonut]

BugBeard
You're shooting experience with the heavy load mimics mine. I've never shot any light or special loads out of mine.

You should try the 700gr slugs

 

[grit]

Originally posted by ohiococonut:
BugBeard
You're shooting experience with the heavy load mimics mine. I've never shot any light or special loads out of mine.

You should try the 700gr slugs

Ranger Rick says that the ES and the 4" models will stabilize a 700 Grain Thumper out to 27 yards then tumble. Same goes for the 600 Grain LFNGC. That's plenty of distance for some, but a good bit of info for those that are hunters and such. I'm gonna order some when Ballistic Supply gets up and running again. I hear that the recoil on these will test the limits of your sanity.

I don't know if I'll like them or not, but it sound like something to experience.

 

[duckloads]

but it sound like something to experience.

...But heaven's sakes, man, so is hitting yourself in the knee cap with a hammer!

 

[Springfield Bob]

Bugbeard, I also own the 500ES snubbie like yours. The first time my wife shot the 460& the 500 was at the S&W plant. Both her shots were head shots. They were the longer barreled guns.
I shot my 500ES with the same bullet you used except mine was made by Cor-Bon. Same weight speed etc. I shot 4 rounds double action as fast as I could pull the trigger to see how that would be like. It wasn't all that bad.I then offered to let any one else try it with only 3 shooters taken me up on it. The others said they were afraid of the decoil.None of us had a sore hand or wrist.Shooting fast as I did I only hit the IDPA target twice at 20 feet.

Enjoy:

Bob

Originally posted by BugBeard:
I finally got a chance to shoot the S&W 500ES 'snub nosed' 500 S&W at the range today.

I was pretty apprehensive about shooting this gun from all the stories and hype about the 500 cartridge, but I'm happy to say that it is highly shootable with the right load. The full house loads live up to the legend though.

First shot was a 275gr cor-bon JHP barnes DPX 500 special. These felt equivalent to a 38+P from a 22oz gun, such as a 649. I shot a full cylinder of these before I decided I was going to go broke too fast.

Next, was a 350gr cor-bon FMJ 500 special. These felt more like a standard 357 out of a 649. Not too crazy, but not completely comfy either.

Last, and I only shot 2 of these, was the 440gr LFN GC rated at 1625fps & 2579ft lb from buffalo bore. Now these were downright CRAZY. I shot one and my hand went numb (nerve damage ahoy) and a big cloud of smoke enveloped me like a fog. I've never seen recoil like that before. It was a big step above anything else.

I was hesitant to shoot one more but I had to "get back on the horse". But the second time wasn't as bad because I was more relaxed and absorbed the recoil better but the gun flip that time was pretty much 90 degrees!!

In any case, I feel good about this gun, it is really shootable with 500 special, and the hot and heavy loads are doable, but I don't really want to shoot them if I can help it.

I think I'm going to have to find a compromise round for carry vs. big game

, and either find some cheap ammo or start reloading. I'm already saving the brass for that.

Anyways, that's my 500 snub experience in case anyone has been curious about these guns.