Author Topic: .500 S+W Handi-Enough Gun (Read 2075 times)

Big Blue · « **on:** January 08, 2010, 01:09:29 PM »

Okay it's big, but it's still a handgun cartridge! LOL!! Here's an old article from American Handgunner that should leave little doubt about the performance of the Handi .500 S+W:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_167_28/ai_110457317/
Don

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2010, 03:09:29 PM »

And that's from a pistol. Now add in a couple of hundred more fps from a handi barrel!

Big Blue · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2010, 03:32:31 PM »

One of these days I'll actually use the money to buy a chronograph so I'll know exactly how many more FPS were actually getting from these Handi barrels compared to the pistol data. Every time I have money for one I spend it on another gun! Still don't know that I'd want to chase an elephant with it.
Don

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2010, 03:41:24 PM »

How fast can you reload that bad boy? I would be worried.

myarmor · « **Reply #4 on:** January 08, 2010, 03:49:19 PM »

Even to fanitic 45/70 fans to question if a 500 S&W is ENOUGH?

Come on man are you hunting elephants? In a 22" barrel t is a great offering in a HandiRifle!

-Aaron

Jacko · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2010, 12:31:21 AM »

I have to struggle for control

when some twit sprouts "It's a handgun cartridge in a rifle, not a high velocity rifle cartridge" as they look down their noses and continue on in a illogical argument that a pistol cartridge is a poor choice in a hunting rifle when a 460 Loundenboomer is a far better choice

Perhaps for sniping but we are talking Hunting ranges not long range shootin

I added a little to some pistol data I looked up and come up with what I reckon are fair enough numbers out of a 22" rifle though fact could be higher fps.

A 400 gr projectile @ about 1700 fps = 2566 foot pounds of muzzle energy and the lighweight 275 gr projectile @2000fps = 2442 foot pounds of muzzle energy . Not Loundenboomer territory for sure but I would not feel undergunned with a 500 S & W Handi Rifle, anything that walks this land is in serious trouble at my self imposed limit of 100 yards

regards Jacko

Big Blue · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2010, 04:06:45 AM »

From my reloads with the .500 S&W using 440gr. CPB over 35.0gr. of Lil Gun, I'm assuming(still haven't coughed up for a chrono) about 1800FPS from my Handi rifle for 3164 ft. lbs. of energy with a TKO value of 56.
I don't think there is anything living, within 100 yards, on this continent that will stand up to the .500 S&W from the Handi.
Don

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2010, 01:05:07 PM »

Who is questioning the power of the 500 anyway? I cut mine down recently to 18 inches and will share chrony results as soon as the weather permits a trip to the range. So far, I have only loaded "light" bullets for it: 300 and 370 grains - but those seem to zip right on out loaded over moderate amounts of Lil Gun or 4227. At 33 inches overall, it is compact and powerful.

Big Blue · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2010, 01:51:27 PM »

Quote from: guns-o-fun on January 09, 2010, 01:05:07 PM

I cut mine down recently to 18 inches and will share chrony results as soon as the weather permits a trip to the range. So far, I have only loaded "light" bullets for it: 300 and 370 grains - but those seem to zip right on out loaded over moderate amounts of Lil Gun or 4227. At 33 inches overall, it is compact and powerful.

We will have to compare notes. I chopped mine down to 16.5". Did you remount sights or go with a scope? I mounted a Leupold 3X scope on mine.
Don

phatgemi · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2010, 02:28:37 PM »

For some 500 plinkin/light loads, I found a recipe for a 400 Gr cast bullet over 12 gr of Trailboss. Supposed to move along at about 1000 fps. Should be a nice light load. Gonna try them soon.

Big Blue · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2010, 02:57:15 PM »

You'll have to let us know how the Trail Boss does in the .500 S&W. It seems like it's handy for reduced loads in quite a few cartridges. Should make a nice deer load.
Don

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** January 09, 2010, 03:01:58 PM »

Quote from: Big Blue on January 09, 2010, 02:57:15 PM

You'll have to let us know how the Trail Boss does in the .500 S&W. It seems like it's handy for reduced loads in quite a few cartridges. Should make a nice deer load.
Don

In ANY cartridge, Don!!

Tim

http://hodgdon.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf

Big Blue · « **Reply #12 on:** January 09, 2010, 03:06:21 PM »

Good link Tim! It surely would be worth having a few pounds on hand.
Don

quickdtoo · « **Reply #13 on:** January 09, 2010, 03:11:18 PM »

Comes in 9oz bottles cuz it's so light, charcoal mini cheerios!!

Tim

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=37

Big Blue · « **Reply #14 on:** January 09, 2010, 03:47:07 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on January 09, 2010, 03:11:18 PM

Comes in 9oz bottles cuz it's so light, charcoal mini cheerios!!

Tim

Boy a pound of gun powder is getting just like the 13oz. pound of coffee!
Don

Chas. · « **Reply #15 on:** January 09, 2010, 04:18:54 PM »

Rifle cartridge/pistol cartridge...it's all semantics. If you look at the proportions and geometry of a 45-70, it might qualify as a pistol cartridge. I know it works well in a BFR.

Big Blue · « **Reply #16 on:** January 09, 2010, 04:54:35 PM »

When I picked up the latest copy of Hodgdon's Annual manual a few weeks ago, I was hoping that they would have published rifle data for the .500 S&W. No such luck. Maybe I should tell them about the Handi?
Don

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #17 on:** January 10, 2010, 05:42:36 AM »

Don - I put on a front sight I had leff over from a Remi 7600 that I cut down (I should change my login name to the "Mad Chopper"). I hated that cheap plastic sight that H&R puts on there. It bent anyway when I was trying to remove the bead part. I have a "shotgun" scope on there on a pair of the better weaver see-throughs, and the channel in the base acutally matches up nicely with the front blade, but is a little low for the blade. I have a left over mossberg fire peep site that should come out to just about the right height if I secure it to the channel in the scope base. What a hodge-podge! - but in the end it should all work and be an awesome brush gun.

Big Blue · « **Reply #18 on:** January 10, 2010, 08:23:12 AM »

guns-o-fun,
I put a 3x Leupold on for now, but I'd like to get a set of XS ghost rings sights. I had been thinking about using the two rear scope mount holes for the XS sight, using the front two holes for the rear of a scout mount and cutting a dovetail for the front of the scout scope mount. Similar to the way the Marlin 336 and 1895 mount the scout scope mount. With quick detachable rings I could have the option to use the sights or scope. The one big drawback is the way the mounts tend to loosen under the recoil of the .500. I'm not sure how the modified scout mount would hold up to it. I would also have to drill and tap the barrel for the front sight. I don't know if all that trouble would be worth it and may just stay with the 3x Leupold and a better mount than the Ironsighter I'm now using.
Don

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** January 10, 2010, 08:49:55 AM »

That what Loctite is for Don.

Tim

Big Blue · « **Reply #20 on:** January 10, 2010, 08:59:42 AM »

Tim,
I have a brand new tube of red Locktite sitting next to me now. LOL!!
Don

quickdtoo · « **Reply #21 on:** January 10, 2010, 09:14:22 AM »

Red Loctite requires heat to remove, blue is better, purple is best for small screws, even nail polish works.

Tim

cwlongshot · « **Reply #22 on:** January 10, 2010, 09:37:49 AM »

Quote from: Big Blue link=topic=195067.msg 1098991188#msg 1098991188 date=1263004351

One of these days I'll actually use the money to buy a chronograph so I'll know exactly how many more FPS were actually getting from these Handi barrels compared to the pistol data. Every time I have money for one I spend it on another gun! Still don't know that I'd want to chase an elephant with it.
Don

I chronographed a couple loads in mine when I first started loading for it.. With stiff loads of Lil'Gun I got over 1600fps with a 500gr XTP Hornady and just over 2000fps with a 400gr.

I recently shot some 10Gr loads of Trail Boss with a 440lead GC bullet and got almost 1100fps.
All loads shot thru the handi rifle, screens about 15' off the muzzle.

CW

CW

gcrank1 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 10, 2010, 10:14:00 AM »

Enough? It wont be enough until they chamber it in .577 Nitro Express!

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #24 on:** January 11, 2010, 10:39:03 AM »

Don - I had the whole durn H&R rail come loose on me. I now have that sucker well seated with some tenacious red loctite. Yes, the gun does have some recoil alright. I need to get the aluminum pillar I made for the barrel screw hanger bedded in with some acraglass, put on a few other finishing touches and then get to the range with my chrony. I can take along my "new" marlin guide gun and make a big bore day of it. My shoulder will never be the same

!

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #25 on:** January 11, 2010, 11:12:30 AM »

My old boss had the screws on the rail shear off under recoil from the 500. He could have over tourqued them. That would be my guess.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #26 on:** January 11, 2010, 11:25:37 AM »

Scope weight has a lot to do with base problems on heavy kickers, I've got almost 200 rounds thru mine with the 6-48 torx screws in the factory rail in blue Loctite, still tight and shooting good, no reduced loads either, 350gr, 385gr, 440gr and 700gr, all full power loads, Nikon 2-7x32 shotgun scope in low Leupold PRWs.

Tim

gcrank1 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 11, 2010, 12:55:07 PM »

Good so far Quick, but when she lets go that Nilon isnt going to be near as nice as now. I would be inclined to up the screw size to #8 if for only piece of mind. Once one screw begins to shear the load will quicky exceed the other two.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #28 on:** January 11, 2010, 01:13:47 PM »

Never had a problem with screws or bases on any of my 45-70s shooting Ruger loads, bigger screws and 4 or more screws may be necessary on a pistol, but on a rifle it's overkill IMO.

I bed the rail in blue Loctite, it doesn't come off easy even after the screws are removed when I want to remove a rail!!

Tim

Muddyboots · « **Reply #29 on:** January 11, 2010, 02:09:17 PM »

FYI - I recently chronographed MGM 26" heavy barrel for my Encore. Posted up on big bore forum. Using 45.0 gr. Lil Gun right now but may drop down a bit since there really wasn't much difference in 45.0, 46.0 or even 47.0 gr. of Lil Gun in overall velocity. The 45.0 gr. was most consistent so far. If the weather breaks for a bit and I can dig out my range in back yard I will post up some numbers for 43.0 and 44.0 gr of Lil Gun. Basically a 45/70 in smaller package.
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,187750.0.html
Muddy