S&W 500 Magnum Versus Water Melon

[Big Al of Tennessee]

Melons were injured in this video.

CLOSEUP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1d7i3i0LLI

Versus a Lawnmower

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-xQtdu6aOg

[old2soon]

I KNOW the melons drew first But the lawnmower was sorta kinda innocent.  RIDE SAFE.

[MarkT]

Nice toy.  Like to have one, just to ...  well, just BECAUSE.   But they hover around $1k, and there's really nothing I could use it for except shooting melons and lawn mowers.  Shoot a deer with it - well ya wouldn't need a sharp knife to gut it.  Might have mostly hamburger though. Shoot a BG with it - well ya might have a problem in court with his lawyer going after ya for using a CANNON.  Lotta coin for a cool toy.  But it wouldn't be the first time I made a stupid purchase that wifey would give me hell for.  (Almost happened with Deerslayer.)

[Chrisj CMA]

Nice toy.  Like to have one, just to ...  well, just BECAUSE.   But they hover around $1k, and there's really nothing I could use it for except shooting melons and lawn mowers.  Shoot a deer with it - well ya wouldn't need a sharp knife to gut it.  Might have mostly hamburger though. Shoot a BG with it - well ya might have a problem in court with his lawyer going after ya for using a CANNON.  Lotta coin for a cool toy.  But it wouldn't be the first time I made a stupid purchase that wifey would give me hell for.  (Almost happened with Deerslayer.)

They are more fun than you can imagine.  If you ever do go hunting they will take any 4 footed animal in North America period.  I have never regretted getting one.

[Jess from VA]

It's not even the pistola $ as much as the ammo.  Sure, if you reload I suppose you could save a bit.

Back when I got a 44mag it was D. Harry's most powerful handgun in the world , and it remains mine.

I shot a 454 Casull a few times, and those Freedom Arms single actions are among the most beautiful revolvers ever made.  Not exactly a pleasant experience though.  But if I need that kind of power, I go to a long gun, and let my shoulder take the abuse.

[Chrisj CMA]

Everytime a friend of mine talks about his .44 Magnum or 1911 45 I say "oh ya one of them small caliber guns"  It really burns him up all in fun ya know 

[solo1]

Chris I shot a 45/70 BFR. Does that qualify for a larger caliber?  It definitely has knock down power even in the lighter weight 300 grain bullet.

BTW, The last deer that I shot was with a Super Blackhawk and handload.  It went down almost instantly. Open sights 42 yards, 200 gr hp. loaded to 1500 fps chronographed.  That load also did a fine job on watermelon although it won't throw the seeds as far.

I no longer hunt but if i did for dangerous game, it wouldn't be with a handgun, no matter what caliber and power.

I do admit that on "Alaska State Troopers" i saw a fisherman with a .500 Smith (bear protection)and a good choice since he was loaded down with fishing gear.

You might keep in mind that Elmer Keith was the grandfather of the .44 magnum and resulting big, high power handguns.  You might look up the articles by John  Ross on the .500.  He handloads 640 gr. bullets in the .500.  Why, i don't know.

As an old shooter, it appears to me that the .500 is first and foremost, a braggin' gun, secondly, a good backup in bear country . Using it for self defense will get your arse in deep s*** because of the attorneys out there, IMHO.

Personally I have no need for a .500.  Pun wise, I'm stickin' to MY guns.

I'm sure that the ,500 is a lot of fun and definitely qualifies for braggin' rights, tho.   

All in fun here too.

[Chrisj CMA]

If you over think it and add all the statics up the revolver is really outdated and not worth buying feeding or shooting.  Only 5-8 rounds, slow reloading bulky to carry and harder to conceal.  So why is the revolver making a comeback?  I suppose because its a basic back to roots kind of shooter.

I happen to prefer revolvers over semi autos.  I was issued the best semi auto in the world while in Special Operations.  The match grade 1911 45 with adjustable sights and wonderful trigger.  I could bore a large hole in the bulls eye of the target very quickly with that gun.  However, I still preferred my .357 revolvers over that top of the line semi any day.  I shoot way more .357 rounds than anything else, to me its such a natural feeling the gun just feels part of me.

When I started to get into hunting I always felt I would either go with a bow or a handgun.  I guess I never thought a high power rifle with a  powerful scope and a stand was sporting enough.  We are after hogs on our property and I have yet to see one in person so I can test my aim.  But at 20 yards Even after it was swinging pretty good I hit the bowling pin 3 out of three times and it was a lot of fun.  I feel I could get a head shot on a hog no problem at 20-25 yards, if not then the .500 should have no problem penetrating the amour for a heart shot at any distance.

I don't have the time to shoot as much as Id like so when I go it needs to be fun!  No shortage of fun with the .500.  If you don't believe me watch someone shoot one for the first time.  I don't know why but the excessive recoil makes people giggle.  Grown men just laffing ther a$$ off after one or 2 shots.  Then after you regain composure you just enjoy the adrenalin unless well you don't enjoy adrenalin.  I kinda really do!

 

exit wound

[solo1]

I hunted about 45 years with a bow.  I hunted with handguns and rifles too.  The most fun was with the bow(Recurve,then compound). 2nd most fun with a revolver. (Super Blackhawk and Red hawk)
High power rifle (7MM Mag Ruger) not so much.  Wyoming mulies at 300 yards, HoHum.

Hunting pigs with the .500 sounds like fun.

[Serk]

My S&W 500 has absolutely no practical value whatsoever. I don't hunt, it's not my bedside gun for things that go bump in the night and in a SHTF situation it's not a gun I'd grab.

Of course, that puts it in the same category as my motorcycles. Tools that I don't specifically need but sure are a hell of a lot of fun to play with.

And yeah, bragging rights is part of it, but the sheer fun of sending 1/10th of a pound of lead down range at around 1300 FPS in one shot is... well... a blast!

Handloading makes it FAR more economical to shoot, that's the ONLY way I can afford to shoot mine. $20 for 50 380 grain cast bullets with a gas check from the site linked below, the rest is just powder, primers and time (Assuming you've got a stockpile of 500 brass). 

(My 1/10th of a pound thing btw was from using the 700 grain bullets. I load those up from time to time just because reasons.)

The guy I used to get my cast bullets from has stopped making 'em, but this guy seems to have followed in his footsteps:
http://www.mattsbullets.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66

And just for a fun pic, here's a piece of 5.56 rifle brass inside a 500 S&W Magnum brass:

[CaribouHunter]

Bought one several years ago, the Alaska Guide Model, 1" barrel.  Use a left side crossdraw leather holster, I'm right handed.  This is the best setup for horseback hunting.  Mainly for protection for grizzly bears in Montana and Alaska.  Not unusual to glass a dozen bears a day while caribou/moose hunting now.  Way too many bears.  Took two lessons from Bill Booth with S&W, very important when shooting this firearm.  Fun to shoot for sure.

[MarkT]

Speaking of hunting with big revolvers, Galco makes an awesome holster for these big boys.  I happen to have this Kodiak shoulder rig for my liberal-approved (only 6 rounds, slow-to-load, no "clip" or "shoulder thing that goes up") hogleg Super Blackhawk.  Very comfortable, you can move it around, adjustable, good access.  I found it on ebay for about $150.

http://www.galcogunleather.com/kodiak-shoulder-holster_8_451_1179.html

[Chrisj CMA]

I do like those, but I got a great deal on this "Hog Leg" holster.  Tactical thigh holster is what its real name is..........it totes my hand cannon just fine as long as I also wear my shoulder holstered .357 to keep my britches up.  LOL

[MarkT]

I use a tactical "instructor's belt" like at http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2238120249/blackhawk-instructor-gun-belt-1-3-4-black-steel-buckle-nylon-black?cm_vc=ProductFinding

and heavy workmen's web suspenders like at Home Depot to hold the belt and pants up, when I'm going to carry duty gear on the belt.  I modified the suspenders so they have loops both ends to pass the belt through, instead of clips or jaws that damage the belt or pants.  Very stable support for the biggest holster and heaviest iron.

[Chrisj CMA]

ya mark, I use a very similar belt.  I just put that holster on with my regular clothes just for the picture.  I has "spenders" but Id rather let the shoulder holster do the job.  I need the .357 as a back up anyways when Im out in the woods.

I sure hope to get a hog this spring/summer!!  oh ya, there will be pictures and of the feast too