Author Topic: Calling out to all 500 S&W shooters, any and all info? (Read 2561 times)

myarmor · « **on:** November 08, 2009, 02:52:13 PM »

Being laid up and sick I have been doing a little trading lately and I will soon be a new owner of a 500 S&W barrel (thanks Andy

)
I have never shot or used this round, but have read up a little bit on it sence it's release. I have done several searches and came up with a little, but I want to know from those that put it too use and shoot it, either reloading for it or not.
If you do, what reloads are you having sucess with, and if not, any other info you can give out is very welcome.
I have seen many 500 threads, but most have only a couple posts at best $:-\$
Factory loads, Brass, scopes, bullets, powder, as stated any input at all....
If you own a 45-70 great, but I am not looking for comparisons or arguments between these big bores, just any and all 500 S&W info.

-Aaron

26-t · « **Reply #1 on:** November 08, 2009, 02:59:15 PM »

Check out the pics on the how hard lead thread I posted today. The load I was shooting was 33 grains of Lil gun under a Lee cast lead w .501 gas check, Winchester large rifle primer, star-line brass, loaded with Lee carbide dies. Shot at 50 yards ,2 shot group from a standing position with a single bag under the frame. I hope this will help you out. 26-t

eskimo36 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2009, 03:10:30 PM »

In my 500 S&W I shoot the most loads with 10 grains of unique under 440 grain lead GC bullet. That load is just plain fun. My medium load uses 15 grains of Titegroup under the same bullet and my "elephants in the yard" load load uses 40 grains of H110. The bullet I use in all my loads is a very hard cast gas checked bullet with a 90% meplat from Ranger Rick in Alaska. http://www.lsstuff.com/ranger-rick/

Slufoot · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2009, 03:27:08 PM »

Hello Aaron, I've got a 500 handi that I used exclusively last year during deer season. I fired 3 shots and had three deer. The buck in my avatar was taken on opening day at about 125 yards. I shot a doe that was steadily walking at about 50 yards and then shot another doe at about 140 yards. I had a very memorable season using my 500!
I set my gun up with a scout mount and I installed a 1.5-4x Burris pistol scope in removeable weaver Quad Lock rings so that I can use the Williams WGRS peep sight should I want or need to. The only bullet that I have ever shot in mine is the Remington 385 grain Ultra-Bonded Core-Lokt Hollow Point pushed by enough Lil'Gun to give me 2000 FPS. My gun shoots about 2" groups @ 100 yards, nothing to brag about but plenty good for what I need it to do.
The forend swivel stud broke the skin on my left index finger on every deer I shot last year, so I installed a barrel band swivel stud and removed the one from the forend.
As you can tell, I really like my 500 Handi, I hope you get as much enjoyment from yours!

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

myarmor · « **Reply #4 on:** November 09, 2009, 09:10:45 AM »

Thanks for the replies fellas. I have never cast my own or reloaded any cast bullets before. I do see the appeal, especially with a more expensive round like the 500.
What I had in mind was giving the Seirra Sport Master 350gr JHP a try first and see from there.

What dies are you guys using?

I thought about cutting it back to about 17" as well as mounting a scout mount to it... just a thought... I haven't even got it yet and the ideas are rolling, it's the nature of these little beasts

26-t · « **Reply #5 on:** November 09, 2009, 11:57:54 AM »

Don't cut the barrel you need all the weight you can get,not less.It's a hand full with full house loads. Fun can sting and little.

Troyboy · « **Reply #6 on:** November 09, 2009, 01:39:58 PM »

I used gc cast bullets form western bullets and max loads of h110. Got 2-3" groups at 100yds. That was with bags at the range. With a rest i suspect better accuracy could be had.

stubshaft · « **Reply #7 on:** November 09, 2009, 03:46:09 PM »

I use Lee 440gr Gc bullets lubed with BAC (weighs 460gr with my alloy) ahead of 30.0gr Lil Gun in my short barrel Encore. It clocks about 1600fps and shoots pretty good.

myarmor · « **Reply #8 on:** November 10, 2009, 09:50:00 AM »

I have to give credit were it's due, nice Encore you have there and very good accuracy

and 26-t like I said it's just a thouught, I am still contemplating cuting back my 44mag for a short range thumper, thought the 500 might work well though

michaelt454 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2009, 09:43:09 AM »

I shoot jacketed bullets almost exclusively in my 500. I think i have loaded every single available jacketed bullet available except for the Remington Core Lokts that everyone else here is so fond of. I have never been able to find them available anywhere (midway has had them listed as a seasonal item for over a year now). I'm a huge fan of Barnes bullets, so that is what I load the most of, I use all three weights, 275, 325, and 375 grain from Barnes and I have data for all of those loads if you are interested. I have also loaded some 440 grain wfngc from cast bullet performance with decent results. I also shoot the 350 grain XTP's and the new 300 grain FTX's as well as the Sierra 400 grain JSP bullets and 500 grain Hornady XTPFP's. I get ~2390 fps with the 275 grain Barnes and 43 grains of Lil Gun. That is also my most accurate at about 1 1/2" @ 100 yds. All of my loads use H110 and Lil Gun for powder. I am anxiously awaiting Barnes' introduction of their Buster Bullets in .500 so I can try those. If you can't tell, I love bullets almost as much as I love guns and shooting, I really love to see the differences in terminal performance. This will be my first season to hunt with this rifle and I hope to try it out on some Texas whitetails and hogs. I'll post pics for sure. BTW I have loaded but not tested/ shot any of the Hornady flex tips yet, I'll be sure and post that data also. I love the 500 Smith because of its incredible ballistics from a pistol cartridge, and I wouldn't hesitate to take ANY type of game with my Handi and the proper load/ bullet for the job.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #10 on:** November 13, 2009, 09:46:25 AM »

Cabela's has the Remington bullets in stock and on sale, I use Lil'gun in all my pistol loads.

Tim

Remington 385gr Core-lokt HP Bonded

S.B. · « **Reply #11 on:** November 13, 2009, 10:13:26 AM »

This is the best read I've found, so far and is by the "Go to guy for the S&W 500":
http://www.john-ross.net/pdfs/maghist.pdf
Steve

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #12 on:** November 13, 2009, 12:51:31 PM »

I love my 500 handi. I load the 385 core-loks in front of H110. Have not had a chance to chrony (someday, someday...), but they really seem to zip on out there. I put on a moderate crimp with a Redding crimp die. Touching holes off the bench at 50 yards, and I have had some mighty nice shots off-hand at 50 yards. It's a lot more comfy to shoot off-hand than from the bench! I have never shot at a 100-yard target, did not think I would need to... the gun has been modified by recrowning and a couple of the McPherson tricks. H110 really gives it some punch - but I just got some Lil Gun and have not had a chance to try it yet. Good luck. You are gonna like it.

PS: I just use the Hodgdon reloading data with a longer OAL that is more appropriate for the handi's longer chamber. The load is about in the middle of the Hodgdon range.

jy951 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 13, 2009, 02:36:56 PM »

I too am a big fan of Barnes bullets. I used lil gun and the 325 grain bullets at about 2100fps out of a 16.5" barrel. Shot a doe last year that was bedded down and she never even moved. Currently I'm using the 300 gr Hornady FTX bullets because that's all I had. I'd like to switch back to the 325 barnes when I have more time to develop loads. I've been sticking to the lighter bullets because my primary purpose for this gun is whitetail deer. I've also used the 325 gr speer Unicor bullets with no cannelure and H110 with very good accuracy.

Slufoot and anyone else, would you please post your experience with the terminal performance of your 500 on deer or whatever else you wish to share. From everything I've read, it's been bang-flop. No recovery.

Big Blue · « **Reply #14 on:** November 13, 2009, 05:10:46 PM »

I bought my .500 a few weeks ago, but haven't even gotten a chance to shoot it. Four new guns last month so I have to save up for all the components. The .500 is obviously the most costly for ammo, especially the brass when you can find it. Many sites have it back ordered. I have a Leupold M8-3X scope to mount on it. I figured if this gun recoils as much as I've heard, the low fixed power scopes stand a better chance of holding up to it. I have also given a lot of thought to cutting the barrel down. Unlike many rifle cartridges, the .500 doesn't need all that barrel length to perform well. Even with the barrel at 18" it's got a big velocity advantage on most revolvers chambered for this cartridge. There was a guy I read about a while ago that ported or added a brake to these barrels, but I haven't read anything about that lately.
Any way you look at it this rifle should be a real blast to shoot.
Don

michaelt454 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 13, 2009, 05:51:12 PM »

Thanks for the John Ross article link S.B. that was a great read! Tim thanks for the Cabela's core lokt link I always forget to check Cabela's, I need to add them to my favorites. I want to try some of those Ranger Ricks that yall have been talking about too. Need to save me up about a bill and make a couple of purchases, soon as deer season is over and I can resume shooting without scareing off everything in the 4 surrounding counties.

Thanks as always Michael T

S.B. · « **Reply #16 on:** November 13, 2009, 06:07:32 PM »

I bought one of John's custom 500s and never looked back. Needless to say but, I like the gun very much. Here's another link but, don't pay any attention to the photos of recoil(they are posed) the gun recoils straight back.
http://www.gunblast.com/LT_SW-JohnRoss500.htm
Steve

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #17 on:** November 14, 2009, 01:18:57 AM »

BTW, If you want to use the Hornady FTX 300 grain bullets, you can find Hornady load data at

http://www.hornady.com/support/downloads/load-data

There is a little conflict in the text - one line says the data was developed with large pistol primers, but Hornady cases are now set up for large rifle primers - and their specs on the opposite page say so. Maybe some caution with this data or a call to Hornady to find out if this is just a leftover from when they made cases with large pistol primer pockets.

S.B. · « **Reply #18 on:** November 14, 2009, 04:55:42 AM »

gof, in the begining all 500 cases were made for LP primers? If you'll read the link from John Ross, it explains this and the reason they went to LR primers.
Steve

myarmor · « **Reply #19 on:** November 14, 2009, 09:31:17 AM »

You all have posted some very good info and I am sure I am not the only one that appreciates it

And thanks for the links, some good useful reads. Looks like I still have a lot of research to do on what I want components to work up with it.

So I ask again what dies are you all using?

What stock configs do you like most with your 500?

Seems like many here like the Nikon Prostaff Shotgun scopes for theirs as far as reasonably $$ scopes for the 500 go.. I am wondering how the new Mueller Hybrid 3-9 would work with on the 500? It's got very good eye relief...

jy951 - how do you like your 500 in a carbine?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** November 14, 2009, 09:38:07 AM »

Aaron,

I use the RCBS steel die set, would have bought carbide, but got it new on sale for half price with a couple boxes of 350gr Hornadys also at half price, then I bought a barrel!!

I use the Hornady taper crimp die since many have stated they got better groups using a heavy crimp in their 500s.

Links are from the FAQs in case someone hasn't seen them, they're both on the 500 Handi, not pistols.

Tim

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_1_53/ai_n16866654/

http://www.shootingtimes.com/longgun_reviews/ST_hr500sandwmag/index.html

myarmor · « **Reply #21 on:** November 14, 2009, 10:01:28 AM »

Seems like I remember you lucking up on a good deal on components and dies and that being one of the main reasons that swayed you to try a 500 Tim, again...if memory serves me right

quickdtoo · « **Reply #22 on:** November 14, 2009, 10:21:39 AM »

Yup, I probably would never have bought a 500 barrel if I hadn't got the deal on the dies and bullets, just couldn't pass up the opportunity, I guess!!

Tim

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #23 on:** November 14, 2009, 10:33:04 AM »

I use Lee for sizing and expanding (with a little polish on the expander "ball" or button, a Redding seater die (the Lee does not lock and gives me inconsistent results), and a Redding roll crimp die to finish things off. It's a hodge-podge, but it works well. Had I had my druthers, I would have gone all Redding from the beginning.

PS I put a monte carlo stock on it - I just like having a good surface for my cheek weld - and I have a weaver see-through on it anyway so that I can use the iron sites if I have to close up. Yes, I now have a Prostaff 2-7 on it and I really llike it.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #24 on:** November 14, 2009, 02:08:46 PM »

Aaron,

I am in the middle of a hell week @ work and haven't been here in a short while. Tim gave me a shout out and here I am!!

I have a 500 handi since they where first available.

I shot every bullet and powder combo I could find. I really wanted to shoot the Hornady 500SP bullet. But try as I might, I couldn't get that bullet to shoot. Hi vel or slow, didn't seem to matter. It wasn't until Tim turned me on to Ranger Ricks excellent line of WFNGC bullets that mine began to shoot well enough to keep me interested. I found that XMP5744 and a 440 WFNGC bullet was my best performer. For me it was forget the top velocities, middle of the road was best in mine. My problems where an errant shot in every five. I recently shot some of my own cast 440's with Trail Boss. It shot pretty well but was quite slow at an estimated 1000fps.

I had pretty good results with H4227 powder and either the rem 385 or the 300gr FTX bullets. I do not load any of the early pistol primed brass, so all mine are loaded with LR primers.

When I bought my rifle, 4 other friends also got one, all same order all at the same time. Two of my friends seem to shoot better then mine.

We have shot about a half doz deer between us with them and they sure put them down efficiently!!!

Good luck with yours!!

CW

myarmor · « **Reply #25 on:** November 14, 2009, 02:25:00 PM »

Do you guys think the 500 barrels, like some other cals in a Handi, need a good thorough polish to smooth things out? I mean it couldn't hurt, that is unless done very roughly.
I am seeing more and more how cast is a plus in this cartridge..

CW what config did you choose for yours? And what loads are your buddies shooting better in their 500's as opposed to yours?

I would like my load to reach 2000 fps but I don't really need the heaviest gr bullet, another reason I am looking at the 300+ gr loadings.. So Lil-Gun, H110, and H4227 seems to be amongst the cream of the crop for the 500 S&W?

S.B. · « **Reply #26 on:** November 14, 2009, 02:34:39 PM »

As said before, be careful with Lil Gun it's fast burning and cases can hold a bunch or a double charge.
Steve

Slufoot · « **Reply #27 on:** November 14, 2009, 04:42:02 PM »

myarmor, I've got the synthetic stock set on mine and I also use LEE Dies to load my ammo.

Quote from: jy951 on November 13, 2009, 02:36:56 PM

Slufoot and anyone else, would you please post your experience with the terminal performance of your 500 on deer or whatever else you wish to share. From everything I've read, it's been bang-flop. No recovery.

jy951, here are the links to the three deer I got with my 500 last year.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,156460.0.html

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,157204.0.html

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,157204.0.html

26-t · « **Reply #28 on:** November 14, 2009, 05:38:23 PM »

I found the scope base was loose on my 500S&W this evening after a full day of hunting. I guess it's a good thing I didn't see a deer.I Loctited the base screws and tightened the crud out of the screws.Then I had my son hold a flash light on the target so i could sight it back in. It was close,I confirmed zero with 5 shots. Ready for Sunday mourning . 26-t

S.B. · « **Reply #29 on:** November 15, 2009, 03:27:40 AM »

I just bought a John Ross custom S&W 500 but, won't get to hunt deer with it this year. What with the reloading supply shortage and the Mountain Mold I ordered not arriving yet, haven't done any load development, yet.

I really like this gun and the way it feels in my hand. John did his homework, on this one. I shopped those S&W monsters(too big and heavy) and their 4"(actually 3") isn't legal(what was S&W thinking) for hunting in Illinois.
Steve