Author Topic: Thoughts on, or experience with 500 S&W (Read 1527 times)

rjw1991A1 · « **on:** December 14, 2012, 12:43:51 PM »

Anybody have one? I shot one that a friend owns, and thought it was a fun gun to shoot. I don't have any particular use in mind, but like that big chunk of lead it shoots! Another mutual friend has one on order from a gun shop that's supposed to be a friend of a friend. Total price, money down, and waiting for over 2 years. I see them readily available from Cheaper Than Dirt, Buds Guns, and Gallery of Guns. Just thought I'd add another "what the heck" gun to the safe, and get to jab my buddy a bit. That happens all the time between us!
If you have one in 500 do you have it scoped, and if so, what scope. I'm thinking some sort of lower powered compact scope.

mo_bio · « **Reply #1 on:** December 14, 2012, 01:10:04 PM »

ave one and love it. like that you can load it down and it is a joy to shoot or you can go to 700 gr of should thumping fun. I shot a buck with mine this year. I think I had enough gun

. simmons diamond shotgun scope on me.

twoshooter · « **Reply #2 on:** December 14, 2012, 03:08:18 PM »

Hey mo.... I also have one that I am extremely pleased with. I also recommend the Simmons pro-diamond 4X fixed shotgun scopes, they are inexpensive and pretty tough, surprisingly clear for that price range also. I suggest you reload as the factory rounds get pricey in a hurry

I predict you will love it., and will watch for reports. There are 2 Lee molds that work for this gun, Mo & I both use the 440 gr, and there is a 360 gr designed for muzzle loaders, a 500dia Improved Minnie Ball, that I will be working on. fyi.

michael30.06 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2012, 04:14:09 PM »

I am very impressed by my Handi in 500 S&W.
Open sights but if you are clumsy like me, buy a spare set of sights, or a rugged scope.
I reload for mine, I'm slowly working up from 10 gns of Trail boss untill I get to supersonic then I will back off a little.
I'm using the 350 gn improved minne ball bullet from a Lee mold.
Accuracy is surprisingly good, field expedient rest at about 75m is the picture

michael30.06 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 14, 2012, 04:15:34 PM »

The bullet, lubed and ready to assemble.

Jason F · « **Reply #5 on:** December 14, 2012, 04:18:19 PM »

I had one. It was fun to shoot with almost Max loads and ftx bullets. But I got rid of it after I got my 50-70 government handi.

Spanky · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2012, 06:04:07 PM »

I had one for a while and I liked it. I shot mostly cast bullets and it was pretty darn accurate. There's no doubt that it makes a very effective hunting tool for just about anything that walks if you load it accordingly. Be warned though... hot loads with heavy bullets can rattle your teeth pretty good. My favorite load was a 370gr. cast bullet over Trailboss. Easy on the gun and the shoulder.

First things first though... if they're still using the crappy plastic sights get rid of them and go with something better. I used a WGRS rear sight and had if drilled and tapped for a Remington ramp on the front with a gold bead. I have the same setup on several of my Handi's and it works for me.

I think I've still got a bunch of the 370gr. cast bullets in the drawer. If you want to try some drop me a line and I'll send you some.

Spanky

petemi · « **Reply #7 on:** December 15, 2012, 12:46:43 AM »

I had one for a while and didn't like it. It bit far too hard at the rear end in proportion to what it would do out of the front. I never did a direct comparison, but I think even the .445 would out- perform it. The .45-70 does more than both of them more comfortably. I have no desire to EVER own or shoot a .500 handgun.

Pete

cwlongshot · « **Reply #8 on:** December 15, 2012, 01:04:41 AM »

Same as Pete, I also had one and sold it...

I killed a couple deer with it and it worked well enough. Mine was pretty tempermental with constant flyers. When I sold it I found a broken ring so I believe my accuracy issues where a result if that not the caliber or gun.

I had a 2x7 Leupold no issues with the scope.

This is a pic of another members 500 and its harvest.

CW

8uck5nort · « **Reply #9 on:** December 15, 2012, 01:24:59 AM »

I have one. Bought it at a gunshow last year. The prior owner had used a junk set of rings to mount a Bushnell dusk to dawn 3x9 on it. The recoil destroyed the scope cause one of the lenses inside of the scope had come loose. I bought it anyway at a good price once I pointed that out. First thing I did was remove the stock and scope and rings. I restocked with a Boyds sterling thumbhole to aid in reducing felt recoil. The stock also provides better eye alignment for scoping the rifle than the factory stock. Then bought a quality set of steel rings. I sent the Bushnell back to the factory for warranty repair, and bought a nikon xl 300 bdc with ample eye relief. The extended eye relief is much apprecited when hunting and getting caught up in the moment. I took 2 deer this year with it. Favorite load. 385 rem corelokt bullets over 40.5 gr of H110. Produced consistent groups at 100 yds. Goal is to get consistent moa accuracy at 300 yrds using the bdc feature on scope. Bullet does drop rapidly after 200 yrds.

xhare · « **Reply #10 on:** December 15, 2012, 03:25:07 PM »

First OUCH! Seriously, I get the same ballistics from my 45-70 but the 500's recoil seemed significantly worse. Still, it killed a deer plenty dead. If I had kept it I would have pursued lower level loads, trying to duplicate the 50-70.

evan1395 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 15, 2012, 03:34:36 PM »

Quote from: xhare on December 15, 2012, 03:25:07 PM

Still, it killed a deer plenty dead....

Hahahahah!
But to the OP, go with a .45-70 man. I believe it to be alot more accurate and just as much thump as the .500 S&W.

colonelsanders · « **Reply #12 on:** December 16, 2012, 08:20:37 AM »

I cut my 500 down to 17 inches and put a 2x Nikon on it it'll shoot 2 inch groups all day long at 100 yards with the cheap Rainers and H-110. I trully love the 500 from my Smith to Handi to Encore to custom 1903 Springfield 500 pin gun

quickdtoo · « **Reply #13 on:** December 16, 2012, 10:35:31 AM »

I don't have a 500S&W Handi any more either, it was somewhat of a novelty for me, just nothing to get excited over, it grew up and became a 499 Hubel Express, not that it isn't a novelty too, just a lot bigger round, has more shock and awe!

Tim

evan1395 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 16, 2012, 10:41:15 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on December 16, 2012, 10:35:31 AM

I don't have a 500S&W Handi any more either, it was somewhat of a novelty for me, just nothing to get excited over, it grew up and became a 499 Hubel Express, not that it isn't a novelty too, just a lot bigger round, has more shock and awe!

Tim

45-70 on the far right? Holy cow never did realize just how much wider the .500 is than the .45-70 ! Damn !
my .45 compared to my .17. And the reason why I have not been out shooting lately ! Too much snow this time of year !

geartow · « **Reply #15 on:** December 16, 2012, 11:35:50 AM »

Line your friends up let them smack you with a 2x4 in the shoulder to get the feel of firing the thing . But I keep mine You never know when you will need to stop a runaway bulldozer . But it is also available in the trade room if that tells you anything it wont make me cry to see it go down the road. it was a novelty to me!

evan1395 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 16, 2012, 12:37:43 PM »

Does the .500 S&W really kick all that much harder?

kynardsj · « **Reply #17 on:** December 16, 2012, 12:58:00 PM »

Never had one in a Handi but had a 20 inch Katahdin barrel on my Encore chambered for it. My best groups were with a 350 gr Hornady JHP over the minimum load of Lilgun. 35.0 gr. From the rifle it was running around 2000 FPS and wasn't bad to shoot at all. I sold it to help pay for a 20 inch 45 LC barrel from MGM so I would have a rifle chambered the same as my pistols.

brayh92 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 16, 2012, 02:01:40 PM »

Quote from: evan1395 on December 16, 2012, 12:37:43 PM

Does the .500 S&W really kick all that much harder?

its not a huge difference but its definatly noticable, enough to make you feel it. i sold mine because my .45-70 shoots better and kicks less and its cheaper to shoot than the .500 is

geezer56 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 18, 2012, 07:57:59 AM »

I love mine. Cast bullets and lower end loads with Lilgun or H110 are fine, and Trailboss ain't too shabby either. Titegroup is also useful for midrange stuff. Full power factory anything is not so much fun though. For 100-125 yds it is the stuff, it makes bambi look like you yanked all four legs out from under him. I'm a recoil junkie though, I think the 375 H&H in a 7 pound Encore is fun too. Short answer, the 500 is fun if you reload, even more so if you or a buddy cast boolits. Factory stuff is too pricey, loud, and painful for the uninitiated. Rolling your own is the way of enlightenment in a 500.

rjw1991A1 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 19, 2012, 09:01:39 PM »

Thanks for all the input. Especially about scopes for it. the Bushnell Dusk to Dawn was one I was considering, but after what Buck5nort said that one is out. I'm leaning toward one of the low powered shotgun scopes as mentioned.

As far as recoil, I did shoot a friends 500S&W Handi Rifle, and did not find it to be objectionable in the least.
In regards to the 45-70 chambering, I already shoot 45-70 in a 10" barreled T/C Contender pistol. I only want the 500 S&W to add to my list of calibers.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 20, 2012, 07:53:54 AM »

FWIW, I would want the little 500 Handi if I didnt already have a Snider .577 cavalry carbine...........cast bullet handloads for all, of course.

walkingwolf · « **Reply #22 on:** December 20, 2012, 11:54:28 AM »

I have 2. one open and one scoped. I got a 1" three shot grope @ 50 yrd's

m60 tanker · « **Reply #23 on:** December 20, 2012, 12:15:37 PM »

Can you ream the camber out to 50/70?

SB2 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 29, 2012, 03:31:01 PM »

my brother has the S&W .500 pistol,IT KICKS VERY HARD BUT TO PUT IT IN RIFLE FORM IT CANT BE BAD. i HUNT TURKEY W A nef 10 GA. NO STABILIZING BAR IN THE STOCK.....OUCH. sorry bout the caps

blind ear · « **Reply #25 on:** December 29, 2012, 03:46:25 PM »

Mine had a bad barrel and I was glad that they would swap it for a 357 mag. It was a kicking fool. I could usually expect it to pop open on firing. ear

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #26 on:** December 29, 2012, 08:30:26 PM »

Quote from: m60 tanker on December 20, 2012, 12:15:37 PM

Can you ream the camber out to 50/70?

I think you may have an issue with that.

a 50/70 usually uses .512 to .515 bullets, and the 500S&W uses .501 IIRC.

if you try that, I'd suggest doing some research on the chamber reamers, and for sure get one with a long cone lead, in the old style, so it will chamber YOUR round/bullet

and use ONLY LEAD bullets, as it will have to swage down 0.014 or so...

cudatruck · « **Reply #27 on:** December 29, 2012, 09:49:49 PM »

ok ok which is bigger and badder? the 50-140 or the 499HE? the 499 is a rechambered 500 and you guys rebored and chambered 32inch barrels for the 50-140. the bore diameter is different? which caliber has the most freight train stopping ability ever chambered successfully in the handi?

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #28 on:** December 30, 2012, 05:56:08 AM »

I dunno, but for awhile I thought we were having multiple earthquakes, with numerous aftershocks, but came to read it was Quick just touching off the 499HE

quickdtoo · « **Reply #29 on:** December 30, 2012, 06:13:47 AM »

They're both bad enough for the shooter that most people wouldn't want to shoot them much including myself!

Even the 500S&W with factory loads is more than most feel comfortable with, those that enjoy the 500S&W shoot light loads, prolly the same folks that like trapdoor 45-70 loads, unfortunately there's no factory 500S&W "trapdoor" ammo that I'm aware of.

FWIW, I would have never bought a 500S&W barrel if I hadn't found dies and bullets on sale for less than half price at Bimart, couldn't pass them up, then I had to buy a second hand barrel.

$:-\$

Tim