500S&W

[JonnyReb]

  Didn't set out looking for an encore in 500smith but have one coming, thanks to those here who helped me out. After seeing the various loads available I realized that this is a do-it-all rifle, the factory loads all seem geared toward elephant hunts but I think I'll start with 250gr reals and trailboss powder:)  in my hands its gonna be more of a wimpy slug gun than a rifle. I'll work up to the heavier stuff and thinking mostly subsonic stuff for now.Anyone have favorite light loads? Anyone use unique powder?

 For higher energy loading would you fellas think a flex stock to be best or would a heavier laminate stock buffer the recoil better?

 Any other tips, hints or thoughts on the Encore in this caliber?

 Thanks and look forward to dropping the hammer on mine.  J

[jbj-displays]

Would get the flextech stock. I replaced the standard inserts with the energy burners too. Really does take the sting out of the recoil.

[JonnyReb]

 Good to hear, I've got a used flex buttstock coming.

 I'm not prone to whining about recoil, but for some reason this one has me dreading the 1st shot I'll make. With factory loads anyways. Seems I read that an average 30-06 load equaled 20ftlbs of recoil and the 500smith made 48ftlbs. Over double. That sounds kinda excessive eh? I like the numbers using trailboss, 440grs of lead at 900ish feet per sec. Ne plinker rounds that could transverse a coyote if given opportunity. Lighter recoil.

  Hard to believe the round is for a PISTOL 

[Mike Scott]

I've got one shooting "medium" loads.  Recoil is modest and it has big impact on deer size critters.  But it is not a long range rifle. 
 

[JonnyReb]

 Yup, more of a slug gun than a rifle. Thanks ya'll for the replies.

 Went to my local big city gunshop and was pretty happy to see them well stocked on .500s&w components. They had 2 kinds of brass at 49.00 and 69.00 per 50. Had Hornady slugs at 50 for 49.00 and had Unique powder. Grabbed some Unique and some more LR primers, hopefully I I'll cast my bullets and I'll hold out on the brass for now. Have trailboss, unique and H110 to try out.  J

[jbj-displays]

You think that the 500 kicks you should try the 24" Encore shooting a 3" 12ga slug. Moves my hat every shot. I bought the 20ga for my wife then and it is good with the flextech stock. I also have the 500 barrel in 15" ported and it is easier to shoot since your arms take the recoil better than shoulder and is all I better say about short barrel in this forum. Here is a buck my wife shot with the 20ga.
Justin

[kynardsj]

Before I had MGM build me a 20 inch 45 LC barrel I had a 20 inch 500 S&W Mag barrel on my Encore. I have the Flex stock on mine and my loads were a 350 gr Hornady JHP over not quite a max load of Lilgun. Very accurate and the recoil wasn't that bad.

[JonnyReb]

  Justin, your wife made sure you weren't gonna borrow that rifle didn't she?
 Thanks for sharing that. And if the 500 kicks less than a 3" slug in a 12ga then I'm not worrying about it again, not that its fun but I can take that. On the other hand it may be the design of the encore stock making perceived recoil more than the average bolt gun.

 Kynardsj, if I could choose any caliber and barrel length, i'd go with that .45lc too. Might look at having one made as it sounds fairly perfect to me, appreciate your experience loading the round. Saw lilgun on the powder shelves just yesterday, might have to pick some up.

[jbj-displays]

Thanks JonnyReb,
You are right about loosing an Encore. But it gave me the excuse to get a custom gold etched stainless frame to replace it!!
I do not mind at all. She shoots a deer each year and I'm just glad she is using a T/C.
The 500 is less recoil than the 12ga so you can breathe easy. Just make sure to use flextech stock. My brother tried one of the solid stocks and after 2 shots changed! 
Justin

[JonnyReb]

 Hey Justin glad you mentioned that about the flex stock as i went back and forth trying to decide which stock to order. The flex forend and Katahdin barrel came today,  i've been excited about recieving my components since aquiring a pro hunter frame,  it all looks very familiar to me. I've shot a .50 muzzleloader since before i could drive and a .50 air rifle for a few years. i've seen this bore before

 I had a Contender and a 7mm-08 encore a few years ago too. I'll blame the recession for loosing them but its nice to be holding an Encore again, even if its missing its buttstock. U.S. mail tracking shows its(butt) arriving tomorrow. . The barrel came with a leupold weaver rail and i just traded for a nice redfield 2x7 to mount on it. My dies are on the way too, and i've a selection of cast bullets on hand. Powder and primers check!  Just need brass and to pick out the right weaver rings. I'm close to making Boom.

  For some reason i kept trying to justify a .50 rifle when i knew i couldn't. Finally accepted "just because" and figure it'll make easier holes to see at 100 yards compared to my .308 and will work better on S.C.lowcountry feral hogs. Will also check its terminal performance on the invasion of armadillos running amuck in the region.
 There..its justified. Will post when i get to shoot it. Thanks for reading.  j

 

   

[jy951]

I generally stick to the 300 grain hornady ftx bullets or the barnes 325 grain bullets (not cheap).  I don't shoot it alot, mainly for deer hunting.  Recoil isn't too terrible.  I would recommend not sticking a huge scope on it.  I have used a 4x simmons shotgun scope and 2.5x barska or tasco with good results.  I want to get a leupold 2.5 fxII for mine, but haven't gotten around to it yet. 

[JonnyReb]

  I agree jy, a smaller scope fits the encore frame better, i've a 2x7 redfield with low rings on mine. I will probably never use it past 4X. Will test fire mine this weekend i think, still have not tried it out.  j

[darkgael]

I bought a 15" ported barrel for an Encore pistol set up in 500 S&W. I wanted it in order to test loads that I was putting together for a friend (trying to save him some $.....and did).
He likes heavy bullets. I loaded up some of Rick Gibson's 600 gr. WFNGCs...beautiful bullets....over some Li'l Gun.
I am not at all recoil shy but those rounds in the pistol hurt from the very first shot. They were safe but not at all fun.
Pete

[JonnyReb]

 600gr projectile sounds impressive! But i agree, they don't sound very fun

[darkgael]

Gibson's 700 grain " tyrannosaur thumpers" are even less fun.
Video of a fellow shooting them from what appears to be a five or six inch barrel. Notice the push back
The link looks goofy but it should work OK..


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www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR1c-w0ZisM