500 S&W Mag (don't forget to hold your mouth right)

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

A buddy brought a new 500 S&W revolver over this week for show and tell which led to us stepping outside to touch off a few rounds from a P90, a handgun or two and the Smith.

The revolver was interesting. It's a massive and powerful revolver, obviously capable of humanly harvesting any North American wild game but it wouldn't be much fun to carry without a sling.

The barrel was well ported and that combined with a good high grip meant there was very little muzzle rise and the recoil was less extreme than I expected. However, my teeth did slam together slightly when it recoiled the first time.  I guess that's a classic case of "not holding your mouth right".   

[Gavin_Sons]

I saw somewhere that they are selling 700 grain bullets for the 500. Talk about recoil. When I had mine I loved shooting it. Was nothing to put 100 roumds through it in a weekend. I'm a recoil guy, I love guns that recoil. The 500 is just a little much for deer and the 44 is a more controllable round. Though I'd like to have a 460. 44 mag is perfect for me to hunt with and I load up some nasty rounds for it. 1700 fps out of the rifle and 1200 out of the raging bull. 

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I've got a 460 S&W rifle. It kills on one end and maims on the other. I can't imagine shooting it from a handgun but I'll admit I don't care much for recoil.

The 500 Mag was fun to shoot a few times but I don't think I could manage the recoil or the expense of shooting it very often. It certainly is an example of brilliant engineering and machine work though.

[Chrisj CMA]

I love mine, love the recoil and I was fortunate to find some cheap ammo (no longer available) so I have a few hundred rounds for the beast.  

[Gavin_Sons]

I love mine, love the recoil and I was fortunate to find some cheap ammo (no longer available) so I have a few hundred rounds for the beast.  

Need to keep your brass and have a buddy reload for you 

[Serk]

Reloading is the only way I'm able to shoot mine at all... I bought one box of factory ammo when I bought the gun, and have scrounged up a few hundred pieces of brass here and there to cycle through my presses...

I've got a few boxes of the 700 grain bullets I load up from time to time as well... I generally keep those for when I take "tough guy"s shooting. One round isn't too bad, it's funny watching how much slower the shots come though after that first.

I've had more than one person tell me before that they're not afraid of no recoil, blah blah blah, touch off one round, then hand the gun back not wanting any more.


And I'll fully admit, of my guns, I've got guns with a purpose, guns I bought for collecting reasons, and what I call my "Just for the 'F' of it" guns. This one falls squarely in the latter group.

[0leman]

Many more years ago than I want to remember, a my boss had a 45-70 pistol.  Had a rolling block setup, heavy 14" barrel, and good size grip.  No matter how much one tried, the barrel would rise about 3' after the shot was fired.  Never caused me to step backward, but did push the shoulders back a bit.  Lots of fun to shoot.

Can only imagine how the 500 feels.  Would like to shoot one sometime.

[solo1]

I don't think that my son's 45/70 BFR compares for recoil and power but it's not uncomfortable to shoot.
As far as reloading, I'm sure that the .500 would be much cheaper to shoot . Question would be how loud is it on the ears, even with hearing protection?

My model 10P Savage 'scout' rifle in .308 has a threaded muzzle and I could easily install a brake but I'll settle for the rather mild recoil and not ruin my ears further.

In my years of experience in handloading my rule is: I don't shoot other people's handloads and I don't do reloading for others.  Believe me, it is a common sense rule!

Mistakes do happen!

Oh yeah, one more thing. Maybe I'm a wimp but my max recoil threshold is a .300 Winchester mag with 180 grainers. Jes like ridin', I've been around guns long enough that I don't have to prove a thing.

[Crackerborn]

Maybe I'm a wimp but my max recoil threshold is a .300 Winchester mag with 180 grainers. Jes like ridin', I've been around guns long enough that I don't have to prove a thing.

After 10 rounds or so one remembers why that round is called magnum. That particular round is one I reload since at 300 yards it is amazing how much factory loads can move your projectile with powder variations. There are others I load but they are odd or hard to find calibers. I may not have the experience of some of the elder statesmen on this forum, but I prefer a handgun round that I can shoot twice quickly without worrying if I can stay on target.

[Wizzard]

Maybe I'm a wimp but my max recoil threshold is a .300 Winchester mag with 180 grainers. Jes like ridin', I've been around guns long enough that I don't have to prove a thing.

After 10 rounds or so one remembers why that round is called magnum. That particular round is one I reload since at 300 yards it is amazing how much factory loads can move your projectile with powder variations. There are others I load but they are odd or hard to find calibers. I may not have the experience of some of the elder statesmen on this forum, but I prefer a handgun round that I can shoot twice quickly without worrying if I can stay on target.

Well said,, I find that hard to do with my 44 mag desert eagle. Nice clip but if you empty it you are aiming at the sky.

[Gavin_Sons]

Since we are speaking about 44 mag. My lever gun has crappy sights on it. Last year i used fingernail polish and painted the rear white and the front hot pink. Was a 100% improvement over the black but my eyes are getting worse so monday i ordered a scout mount and a burris fastfire 3 reflex red dot with a 3 MOA dot. Maybe i can get back to those 2" groups at 100 yards. Thinking about adding one on my revolver also. But it is more for 50 yards or less on deer. I can easily hit a paper plate at 50 yards with it. Do they make a 500 S&W in a rifle? If so i may have to pick one of those up too.

[solo1]

Gavin, at my age I also need better sights on my handguns.

Here's a pic of my Sig full size with neon (sorta) Advantage Tactical sights. Just make a traingle sight picture.  The jury is still out but they ARE visible!

[Gavin_Sons]

Those are nice Wayne. The black on black sights just don't cut it for me anymore. Indiana legalized 10 mm and 40 S&W with 4" or longer barrels for deer hunting this year. May have to try to take one with my Springfield XDM.

[solo1]

Gavin, another pic.  Here is my Sig Sub Compact (my carry gun) with Advantage Tactical "Black diamond" sights.  Again, a triangle sight pic but the front sight glows in the dark for up to 6 hours after UV light. Easy to pick up fast.

Both Sigs are .40's, the full size will be the house gun and practice gun with an added red dot.

Too bad, i don't hunt any more, got lots of choices except a .500 cannon

[Chrisj CMA]

The most amazing thing about the 500 Smith and Wesson Magnum round is how flat the trajectory of the round is.  From zero to 150yds you aim, shoot and hit POA every time.  I need that for hog hunting.  I'm not into scopes and range finders.  Aim and shoot is what I like. 

I'll tell you what, I would never want to be hit by one of these.  The very light rounds are like 275gn.  I usually shoot 350gn and hunt with 375 and 400.

[solo1]

Chris, I was on the internet. Couldn't find definitive trajectory info.  Just a lot of comments on the 'flat' trajectory.

As you know, unless you defy the law of gravity, all bullets have a curved trajectory.  So, at what distance do you sight it in for (I will not use the term point blank), maybe 100 yards?. If so where does the bullet hit at 50 and 250 yards for example. You say it's right on for hogs all the way. Is it 'right on' for squirrels, say?)

I have an inquisitive mind. My Ruger 77 (I no longer have it) 7mm Rem mag with hand loaded 140 gr. Noslers at 3200 fps was sighted in to hit dead on at 200 yards.  I was 1.5 inches high at 100 yards and 2.5 inches low at 300 yards, as I recall.  All these were measured distances and the bullets were chronographed. I'm kinda a detail nut.

The .500 Smith has gotten some bad press (not the fault of the gun) due to IDIOTS letting inexperienced shooters fire the Smith so that they can watch the pain and surprise.  In one case, an IDIOT had to live with the fact that he let a woman fire it and was there to see her violently recoiled and uncontrolled second shot hit the woman in the head.

No, I wouldn't want to get hit with a .500 Smith but, then again, I wouldn't want to get hit with a .22 either.

Smith did themselves proud to produce the world's most powerful handgun.  Not for me, but that's why there are different makes of motorcycles too like the 'Boss Hoss"  There, motorcycle related.

Wayne

[Jess from VA]

Since we are speaking about 44 mag. My lever gun has crappy sights on it. Last year i used fingernail polish and painted the rear white and the front hot pink. Was a 100% improvement over the black but my eyes are getting worse so monday i ordered a scout mount and a burris fastfire 3 reflex red dot with a 3 MOA dot. Maybe i can get back to those 2" groups at 100 yards. Thinking about adding one on my revolver also. But it is more for 50 yards or less on deer. I can easily hit a paper plate at 50 yards with it. Do they make a 500 S&W in a rifle? If so i may have to pick one of those up too.

Here's a lever gun in 500 smith.  http://www.bighornarmory.com/catalog/big-horn-armory-products/model-89-carbine-2/


And you can get a .50 Beowulf in an AR








SBR beowulf AR

This will probably blow a head off, if not fingerprints.

[Serk]

Wayne,
   If you're worried about your (remaining) hearing, you'd like my Ruger Scout 308... It's pretty quiet, even with full power rounds perfectly comfortable to shoot it all day long with no hearing protection needed...

[solo1]

Yeah, I know Serk.  I was at the range awhile back and a bolt action guy was firing his .308, sounded like a .22.

No, i'm not worried about my hearing, I have decent hearing protection now.   Quite frankly, I simply cannot, don't need to, or want to hang a silencer on my 10P. No money for a good silencer.  Since I like the 18 inch barrel for handling and don't intend to shoot indoors................

Every gun that i own now is not for hunting or composition. Only for Rec and one other purpose. I have pistols for close, a pistol cartridge carbine for intermediate, and the .308 for further out. A Mossberg 500 for when in doubt.

I long ago, lost the arms race to my kids.  Can't afford it any more more.

[Crackerborn]

If you want a "flat" trajectory try a .17HMR. Granted it is useless for anything bigger than coyote but for fun at the range and removing unwanted vermin it is a great round. With a 12X scope I have exterminated coyote at 400 yds (head shot). I have also missed at that range and had plenty of time to take a second shot since the coyote was not even aware it was a target. Sighted in at 250 yards and hold 2 inches high. Wind can be a big problem at that range even on that tiny projectile. I got that calber for ground hogs but I can't find them much past 200 yards even with a spotting scope. Did someone mention failing eyes?

[solo1]

Interesting.  Looking up the stats on the .17, if the cartridge is sighted in for o yards, the bullet drop at 200 is 21 inches and at 400 it's 103 inches. The energy at 400 yards of the 20 gr. bullet is 35lbs ft.

Hmmm.

[Chrisj CMA]

Chris, I was on the internet. Couldn't find definitive trajectory info.  Just a lot of comments on the 'flat' trajectory.

As you know, unless you defy the law of gravity, all bullets have a curved trajectory.  So, at what distance do you sight it in for (I will not use the term point blank), maybe 100 yards?. If so where does the bullet hit at 50 and 250 yards for example. You say it's right on for hogs all the way. Is it 'right on' for squirrels, say?)

I have an inquisitive mind. My Ruger 77 (I no longer have it) 7mm Rem mag with hand loaded 140 gr. Noslers at 3200 fps was sighted in to hit dead on at 200 yards.  I was 1.5 inches high at 100 yards and 2.5 inches low at 300 yards, as I recall.  All these were measured distances and the bullets were chronographed. I'm kinda a detail nut.

The .500 Smith has gotten some bad press (not the fault of the gun) due to IDIOTS letting inexperienced shooters fire the Smith so that they can watch the pain and surprise.  In one case, an IDIOT had to live with the fact that he let a woman fire it and was there to see her violently recoiled and uncontrolled second shot hit the woman in the head.

No, I wouldn't want to get hit with a .500 Smith but, then again, I wouldn't want to get hit with a .22 either.

Smith did themselves proud to produce the world's most powerful handgun.  Not for me, but that's why there are different makes of motorcycles too like the 'Boss Hoss"  There, motorcycle related.

Wayne

Well Wayne, I don't think I would shoot a squirrel with my 500.  There would not be anything left.  I'm not sure the round will go 200yds and if it did Id expect serious dropping in POI.  That's why I hunt with it, it's not going to go forever.  

I sight in at 25 yds as that's where I hope to be from a hog when I shoot it.

[Gavin_Sons]

I just want to thank Frye for starting this post. Turning into an epic gun thread. 

[Chrisj CMA]

Since we are speaking about 44 mag. My lever gun has crappy sights on it. Last year i used fingernail polish and painted the rear white and the front hot pink. Was a 100% improvement over the black but my eyes are getting worse so monday i ordered a scout mount and a burris fastfire 3 reflex red dot with a 3 MOA dot. Maybe i can get back to those 2" groups at 100 yards. Thinking about adding one on my revolver also. But it is more for 50 yards or less on deer. I can easily hit a paper plate at 50 yards with it. Do they make a 500 S&W in a rifle? If so i may have to pick one of those up too.

Here's a lever gun in 500 smith.  http://www.bighornarmory.com/catalog/big-horn-armory-products/model-89-carbine-2/


And you can get a .50 Beowulf in an AR








SBR beowulf AR

This will probably blow a head off, if not fingerprints.

I would have a BigHorn 500 S&W carbine if they weren't north of two grand.  Ouch!!

[Gavin_Sons]

Those big horns are sweet 

[Jess from VA]

I figured they were high, but not that high.   

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Man there are some nice firearms and sights coming up in this thread. Many thanks for sharing em.

Here's one I've been working on for myself. This one's in 556, just finished putting it together last night. It's finished in Duracoat matte black and blackhawk coyote tan. The tan came out a little lighter than I anticipated but I think it will do. I did my 450 bushmaster mags in camo with the same two colors and will leave the 556 mags as they are to avoid mix ups.

[Serk]

Very nice pieces ya'll!

I went and took another shot of my current favorite long gun (Although "long" is relative in this case) and my first choice for what to grab in a SHTF scenario. I hated bullpups, until I shouldered this one, points naturally, weight towards the back, soft shooting, full 16.5" barrel in a tiny TINY package:

[Crackerborn]

Interesting.  Looking up the stats on the .17, if the cartridge is sighted in for o yards, the bullet drop at 200 is 21 inches and at 400 it's 103 inches. The energy at 400 yards of the 20 gr. bullet is 35lbs ft.

Hmmm.

My apologies for a complete brainfart, in an earlier post I said .17HMR for varmint control and "flat" trajectory which is true up to a point, but that is not what I use for varmints (coyote). Proving I shouldn't read articles while posting, I typed the calber I was reading about rather than the round I use which is .22-250 Remington. I actually had to read my own quote in solo 1's post to realize what I wrote. Duhhh!

[solo1]

Interesting.  Looking up the stats on the .17, if the cartridge is sighted in for o yards, the bullet drop at 200 is 21 inches and at 400 it's 103 inches. The energy at 400 yards of the 20 gr. bullet is 35lbs ft.

Hmmm.

My apologies for a complete brainfart, in an earlier post I said .17HMR for varmint control and "flat" trajectory which is true up to a point, but that is not what I use for varmints (coyote). Proving I shouldn't read articles while posting, I typed the calber I was reading about rather than the round I use which is .22-250 Remington. I actually had to read my own quote in solo 1's post to realize what I wrote. Duhhh!

You sure had me wondering about that. Now the 22-250 is an entirely different story. IMHO that is one of the best calibers that ever came down the Pike.!

I had a Ruger flat bolt 77 in that caliber. It had an eight power Weaver mounted on it.  My very first handload , a 52 grain Sierra boat tail match with 110 ball powder pushing it , running 3600 fps made a 5/8" center to center 3 shot group at 200 yards.  It is a better cartridge than the .220 Swift, easier on barrels and not finicky about loads, and still comes close to Swift velocity. I'd even say that it's one of the best .22 cartridges in a family of .222, .223, 22 Hornet, etc.

Of course, like a dumbarse, I sold the rifle.  I beleive that flat bolt Ruger 77's are a collectors item today. just like the Ruger Mark II's with 10" barrels. I had one of those too.

No more Hmmm. That I can believe

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Interesting.  Looking up the stats on the .17, if the cartridge is sighted in for o yards, the bullet drop at 200 is 21 inches and at 400 it's 103 inches. The energy at 400 yards of the 20 gr. bullet is 35lbs ft.

Hmmm.

My apologies for a complete brainfart, in an earlier post I said .17HMR for varmint control and "flat" trajectory which is true up to a point, but that is not what I use for varmints (coyote). Proving I shouldn't read articles while posting, I typed the calber I was reading about rather than the round I use which is .22-250 Remington. I actually had to read my own quote in solo 1's post to realize what I wrote. Duhhh!

You sure had me wondering about that. Now the 22-250 is an entirely different story. IMHO that is one of the best calibers that ever came down the Pike.!

I had a Ruger flat bolt 77 in that caliber. It had an eight power Weaver mounted on it.  My very first handload , a 52 grain Sierra boat tail match with 110 ball powder pushing it , running 3600 fps made a 5/8" center to center 3 shot group at 200 yards.  It is a better cartridge than the .220 Swift, easier on barrels and not finicky about loads, and still comes close to Swift velocity. I'd even say that it's one of the best .22 cartridges in a family of .222, .223, 22 Hornet, etc.

Of course, like a dumbarse, I sold the rifle.  I beleive that flat bolt Ruger 77's are a collectors item today. just like the Ruger Mark II's with 10" barrels. I had one of those too.

No more Hmmm. That I can believe

That is an amazing caliber. You don't get much faster than that and still have reasonable barrel life too.

[solo1]

To keep this interesting thread going here is another post. I gotta admit he caliber is much smaller.
It's sorta a small story to go along with the caliber.

Many years ago, i bought a model 75 Winchester target rifle for 50 bucks.  The model 75 was a cheaper version of the Model 52, the gold standard on target rifles. Being a hunter, i had the barrel shortened and made it into a sporter (thereby decreasing its value, LOL)

I took my three sons to the range. I had them shooting the 75 at Necco wafers hung by strings, at 25 yards. There were doing quite well bench resting and breaking those Neccos like miniature clays.

I told them that I would shoot the STRING instead of the dangling Neccos.  "BS" was the answer.

Now i'm on the hook! Carefully taking a "fine bead"  I eased the trigger and at the shot, the Necco fell to the ground. The string had been cut.  I was OFF the hook.

My oldest son said, "Dad. I bet that you can't do that again!".   My reply was.....................

"I don't have to"

Here is a pic of my Model 75 Winchester.  I STILL have.  Can't be a dumb arse all the time

[Gavin_Sons]

I have a Ruger M77 in .243 that is one sweet shooting gun. has killed many groundhog. It will be tested out on deer this year with 100 grain bullets.

[Chrisj CMA]

I love mine, love the recoil and I was fortunate to find some cheap ammo (no longer available) so I have a few hundred rounds for the beast.  

Need to keep your brass and have a buddy reload for you  

Ok, so I just pulled out all my spent brass.  Just around 200 empty cartridges.  I know I left 4 or 5 boxes at ranges so that's approx. another 100 rounds.  That means I have only shot around 300 rounds out of the 500 S&W but I suppose that's about right if you figure I probably average 15 shots per trip that's around 20 shooting trips.  I shoot the .357 way more than the 500.

So with close to 200 empty casings I think I will look into how much some powder and some bullets and rifle primers would come to.  There is a guy locally that reloads and sells, he doesn't currently do the S&W 500 magnum round, but maybe if I  invest in the dies he needs he would do some for me. 

As I remember when the "cheap" rounds were available, reloading was not going to save me much.  Now that the cost is way up it might be a different story

[Gavin_Sons]

A box of 44 Winchesters 240 grain cost 50 bucks at walmart. That is a dollar a round, i can reload them for 38 cents a round without buying new brass. New starline brass is about 25 bucks for 100. so it comes to about 63 cents per round. I normally buy bulk brass from rangebrass.us for 7 bucks per 50 so i'm down to about half the price with handloads. With the 3200 or so 44's i have loaded i have paid for my reloading equipment and brass. Now i just need to shoot it up. 

[solo1]

Chris, just a thought from one who's been around awhile.  Why don't you invest in a reloading setup yourself. You don't need to start with a 400 buck Dillon press but maybe a Lee or simple RCBS.  By buying extra dies you could also reload for .357. I believe that you could do it for a box of 100 Smith .500's rounds.

I've seen the results of "mistakes" by reloaders. I absolutely do not recommend buying reloads from any private party.  The liability is tremendous, plus , I believe that all gun MFRS will not honor a warrantee when using reloads.  However, that has never stopped me from doing my own.

I also think that a Federal license is necessary for selling reloads.  There is also the liability in using reloads for defense, however, I don't believe that would enter into the mix with the .500 Smith, it's a great hunting pistol, not a pant's dropping strong sided holstered pistol.

My .02 for what it's worth.  For me, there is no choice but to reload my own.

[Chrisj CMA]

A box of 44 Winchesters 240 grain cost 50 bucks at walmart. That is a dollar a round, i can reload them for 38 cents a round without buying new brass. New starline brass is about 25 bucks for 100. so it comes to about 63 cents per round. I normally buy bulk brass from rangebrass.us for 7 bucks per 50 so i'm down to about half the price with handloads. With the 3200 or so 44's i have loaded i have paid for my reloading equipment and brass. Now i just need to shoot it up. 

Was just shopping.  A box of 50 bullets 350gn JHP is $40.  That's .80 already not including powder, still could be a good deal.  $60 bucks for the dies, that should be a one time cost and looks like around $50 to get a bucket of powder, not sure how many rounds that will get me.  Primers are somewhere around .35 cents each for the rifle ones.  So I would be close to $1.25 per round.  I was buying them for $1.40.  Now they are higher.

[Gavin_Sons]

i bought a Hornady single stage reloader last year and it has worked very well. for awhile i was doing about 100 rounds a night after i got my load perfect. 23.5 grains of H110 with a nosler hollow point and CCI primers. Powder runs about 23 bucks a pound and will do 297.87 rounds. 7,000 grains per pound. So i have about 13 cents of powder in each round. I can reload my brass multiple times, Some guys say they get 15 reloads out of 44

[Varmintmist]

Was just shopping.  A box of 50 bullets 350gn JHP is $40.  That's .80 already not including powder, still could be a good deal.  $60 bucks for the dies, that should be a one time cost and looks like around $50 to get a bucket of powder, not sure how many rounds that will get me.  Primers are somewhere around .35 cents each for the rifle ones.  So I would be close to $1.25 per round.  I was buying them for $1.40.  Now they are higher.

Hodgdon says that a mid load of IMR4227 is 40 grains, there are 7000 grains in a pound. A pound of powder goes for about 27 bucks so you are at about .15 in powder and 175 reloads.

3 die carbide Lee https://www.midwayusa.com/product/326474/lee-carbide-3-die-set-500-s-and-w-magnum
32.99

If you are going to do multiple handguns https://www.midwayusa.com/product/814175/lee-classic-4-hole-turret-press but if you are going to do rifle, get a O frame.

Avoid the Lee scale. It is accurate, but slow. After you get the hang of it you can go to a powder measure and just drop loads.

JHP's for 40 and plated for plinking for less https://www.midwayusa.com/s?targetLocation=%2F_%2FN-7987%3FNo%3D0%26Np%3D2%26Nr%3DAND%2528p_visible%253A1%252Ccustomertypeid%253A1%2529%26Nrpp%3D48%26Ns%3Dp_metric_sales_velocity%257C1%26Ntpc%3D1%26Ntpr%3D1

[Varmintmist]

 There is also the liability in using reloads for defense, however, I don't believe that would enter into the mix with the .500 Smith, it's a great hunting pistol, not a pant's dropping strong sided holstered pistol.

I keep seeing this, but no one can name a case where the prosecution ever went after someone using reloads.

If it is a justified shoot, it is a justified shoot. If there was a way to get a client off, or prove guilt, a lawyer would have done it by now.

There was one in NJ where the wife committed suicide and the prosecution couldnt duplicate the powder burn pattern with factory stuff becauswe he was loaded light, so the guy had to fight longer.

NJ vs Daniel Bais