New .500

[Flynmoose]

Pete, I wish you a speedy recovery, shoulder and eye both. With all the global warming
and ice on the UP, maybe you should get some of those traction slip-ons for your shoes.
As a point of information....ice is a symptom of global warming, the government said so!
FM

[LONGTOM]

Is it just me or what.
I have 2 of the 500s and really don't see why you need to bump them up much over factory ammo.
It will never be a long range cartridge and it has way more than enough to kill about anything that gets in its way with factory ammo.
With factory ammo it doesn't seem to kick any more than my 450 marlin barrel.
They are both doing about 1900 to 2100fps with 325 grainers.
I think my 18" shorty 12 with 3" turkey loads kick nore than the 500 does.
Maybe it's just me after all those 3" #4 buck loads I use on groundhogs!
I don't hunt dinos or tanks so I don't see a need for anything much over a 350 grain bullet.
To each their own.



LONGTOM

[gcrank1]

LT, I know what you mean about the 12ga., my Buck barreled Topper goes 5.25# and with just Foster slugs has a recoil impulse and muzzle lift similar to videos Ive watched of some African rifles.
The physics of launching a given weight projectile at a given velocity is pretty predictable. Thats maybe part of the attraction to these big-bore Handi's; where else can we get that kind of affordable performance?
I am very sure that the 3" heavy slug load in mine will exceed my pain tolerance, and I will NOT ever try to bench it even with 2 3/4" loads. I think with the 500 and factory loads I would choose the same, moreso with Tims flying trashcans; offhand and held right it would be a 'rock my world' kind of thing.
Now where is a rampaging '56 Buick................

[LONGTOM]

5.25 must be about a standard for a wood stocked shorty 12.
Mine weighs 5.2 with the sling and shell holder and extended choke.
6.2 with 6 rounds of 3" #4 buck.
4.7 bare.



LONGTOM

[petemi]

Well I went and did it.  I loaded 385 gr. Rems over 35 gr. W296 and it shot like a kitten.  I don't know what all the recoil fuss is about.  I shot it with my bad right eye and my injured right shoulder.  No pain, no problem.  I can't see that it kicks more than the .45-70 or .445 for that matter.  I think I'm gonna like this rifle.  Thanks Padre.

Pete

[gcrank1]

Cant keep a good man down!
Now dont go trying to turbocharge it too soon, ya hear!

[quickdtoo]

Well I went and did it.  I loaded 385 gr. Rems over 35 gr. W296 and it shot like a kitten.  I don't know what all the recoil fuss is about.  I shot it with my bad right eye and my injured right shoulder.  No pain, no problem.  I can't see that it kicks more than the .45-70 or .445 for that matter.  I think I'm gonna like this rifle.  Thanks Padre.

Pete

Pete, that's great, but you're breaking a basic handloading rule and using less than start data which can have serious consequences, that's why they list start loads.  Hodgdon lists 39gr start for H110/W296(same powder), they have a specific warning on their loading data website, your load of 35gr is a reduction of ~10%, and in the longer rifle barrel could be even more likely to stick a bullet in the bore, using recommended COL would be important to abide by also, loading to a longer COL would effectively reduce load density even more.

Tim

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Reduce H110 and Winchester 296 loads 3% and work up from there. H110 and Winchester 296 if reduced too much will cause inconsistent ignition. In some cases it will lodge a bullet in the barrel, causing a hazardous situation (Barrel Obstruction). This may cause severe personal injury or death to users or bystanders. DO NOT REDUCE H110 LOADS BY MORE THAN 3%.

[bikerbeans]

Quick,

Hodgdon also forgets about their 3% rule for H110.  Their website lists min. (19grains) & max (21 grain) for a 180 grain bullet for the 357 Max.  21 grains minus 3% should be a starter load of 20.37 grains, not 19.  Do as I say, not as i do.

BB

[quickdtoo]

That's not the same thing, the reduction applies to start loads, there's a bigger spread than 3% for all of their 110/296 loads.

Tim

[dpe.ahoy]

I second Tim on the H110/W296 loads.  That powder can do some weird stuff if not loaded as recommended.  Go to a faster powder if you don't want the speed of a starting load.  We love ya Pete and don't want nothin else to happen to ya!  Everyone else should take note, These things can be dangerous if not loaded correctly.  Make sure you follow manufactures recommendations and if not sure, check with the maker of the powder.  Hands and eyes are to close to the chamber to make a mistake!  DP

[petemi]

I donno my Lee table that came with the dies lists a 400 gr. jacketed at 34.0 gr H110.  Lyman lists a 375 gr alloy at 32.0 and a 375 gr. Barnes at 33.9.  I thought it was where it should be for starters.  It sure didn't feel like the bullet would stick in the barrel.  I'm new at this, so please correct me if I'm wrong.  I forgot to mention the COL was 2.100 as by the book.

Pete

[gcrank1]

It sure sounds like you have followed the oft recommended 'check several data sources' admonition! That said, there is something to be said for following the specific manufactures data as a priority source.
FWIW, unless Im going for a very light load I usually end up in the middle of the data anyway, even if I started in the low end just to see how it goes; but Im almost always using lead bullets and those at 1250 to max 1450ish fps. You hot rod guys with the fancy copper jackets are too fast of company for this old turtleboy.

[jon f]

Glad to hear your sight is improving.
          Take care on the cold stuff..
         Jon

[petemi]

I just chronyed the 385 gr. Rem over the 35.0 gr. W296 at 1790 fps.  It looks like a good load to me.

Pete

[garbhead]

Hey Pete..next trip to the eye doc, slip that 500 under your long coat....when he pulls the needle out, then.......tell him its dumb to bring a needle to a gunfight !!!   good luck to you

[petemi]

Well, she's toether.  Scope mounted and bore sighted.  I'll put the Allen butstock cartridge holder on this morning.  She's grouping very well, but shooting low and right and has to go on the bench, but it won't happen today.  It is snowing and blowing......very seriously.

Pete

[Dill45]

Good to hear its together and shooting!  I wouldn't want to be on the receiving side of a .500 385gr bullet traveling that fast.

I've been having a problem keeping my ring screws tight for the gun.  Had the same problem with the pistol, but once it settles down I think its going to be a real shooter!  Showed promise before it loosened up.

[petemi]

I Lok-Tite the rail screws and then, if I have to,  the rings.  I had one scope shoot loose on me, but for the life of me I can't remember which it was.  I know it wasn't one of the big guys....45-70, .445...something smaller...perhaps .30-06.

Pete