Smith and Wesson 500 Reloading Data Help

[treillw]

I'm new to reloading for the 500. I want to shoot 440 grain wide flat nose hard cast bullets between 1100 and 1400 fps. Does anyone know of a reloading manual that would have this data in it for Alliant 2400 and also the overall length for seating?

Thanks!

 

[cowboy4evr]

You might try contacting " Bear Tooth Bullets " . The owner is very helpful and they even have their own forum . You might get some help there . He sells cast bullets in the WFN design for other calibers .

 

[colt_saa]

Book OAL for seating cast projectiles is meaningless.

You load the projectile based on where the crimp groove is or to the front of the driving band if there is no crimp groove

Personally I do not use 2400, but I think it is the wrong powder for loading the 500 S&W that slow

 

[DonD]

Hands down I think you're better off with either Hodgdon's or Accurate Arms, both of whom provide comprehensive data on a massive number of cartridges, both rifle and handgun.

That way you get data that is consistent, rather than perhaps some site which may hot rod your caliber and doesn't have the reputation to loose like the two I mentioned.

Personally I use Hodgdon's as powders they use on the 500 Mag are more readily available in my experience than A Arms. Don

 

[ruggyh]

for 2400

440 grain gas checked bullet .900" in length

27 grains start 30 grains max.

Crimp in the Cannelure for AOL of about 1.98"- depends on your brass.

Will produce 1225 fps out of 4" 500.

30 grains Pressure tested @ 51800 psi (case fill of 93%). WLR primers used

Start load is about 80% case fill and is about 40 KPSI.

Nothing wrong with 2400 for mid range loading.


Be safe and good luck
Ruggy

 

[treillw]

Thank you sir. Just curious, what is the allowable pressure for a 500? Found 60 ksi online. That's up there - above the yield strength of most steels.

for 2400

440 grain gas checked bullet .900" in length

27 grains start 30 grains max.

Crimp in the Cannelure for AOL of about 1.98"- depends on your brass.

Will produce 1225 fps out of 4" 500.

30 grains Pressure tested @ 51800 psi (case fill of 93%). WLR primers used

Start load is about 80% case fill and is about 40 KPSI.

Nothing wrong with 2400 for mid range loading.


Be safe and good luck
Ruggy

 

[DonD]

Thank you sir. Just curious, what is the allowable pressure for a 500? Found 60 ksi online. That's up there - above the yield strength of most steels.

SAAMI is either 60 or 65,000psi and many steels can be vastly higher in yield strength. Most centerfire magnum rifle cartridges are loaded to 60-65K psi. I have had an email friendship for a number of years with a highly regarded S&W engineer who worked on the 500.

I asked him if they had ever tested a Model 500 to destruction? He said no, it would have destroyed their test gear. He thought it would take around 130,000psi to take a 500 apart. Seriously strong beasts. Don

 

[treillw]

Are CCI No. 250 large rifle magnum primers OK to use with this load? Back off the powder by a grain?

Thanks!

for 2400

440 grain gas checked bullet .900" in length

27 grains start 30 grains max.

Crimp in the Cannelure for AOL of about 1.98"- depends on your brass.

Will produce 1225 fps out of 4" 500.

30 grains Pressure tested @ 51800 psi (case fill of 93%). WLR primers used

Start load is about 80% case fill and is about 40 KPSI.

Nothing wrong with 2400 for mid range loading.


Be safe and good luck
Ruggy