[w296]

I plan to load for a friend that is a bush pilot that lives in Alaska. He hunts and has the 500S&W as a backup for Grizz, he sleeps with it in his tent. He takes other precautions as well,but one never knows in Alaska. Of course his life may very well depend on the bullet and load. From reading some of the posts, The Cast Performance Bullet Company might be a good choice.

I would appreciate any help.

Ron

[Strongbad]

Ron, you didn't ever really state a question, but I'm assuming that you're looking for load data for the 500 S&W for some of the heavier bullets, like the 440 gr. hard cast from Cast Performance. Hodgdon has data for the 500 for those bullets, and you can find it here.

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/pistol/500swmag.php

While I haven't loaded any of the heavy cast bullets, I've loaded for most of the jacketed ones that are out there including such as the 350 gr. Hornady XTP, the 350 and 400 gr. Sierra's and the 385 gr. Remington Core Lokt. Accuracy out of all 4 of them was very good. My best velocities were with Hodgdon Li'l Gun. Hornady also makes a 500 gr. jacketed bullet that might be suitable for what you're talking about (not that the other 4 wouldn't do the job) but I haven't loaded any of the 500 grainers yet. I hope this helps.

[w296]

Sorry, what I meant to ask was what would be the best bullet choice for loading in the 500 S&W for quickly dispatching a bear if one was attacked?

Thanks for your reply

[dmftoy1]

I would guess you'd want one of the 440 grain hardcast. I"d probably get the one's with the gas checks so you could push them a little faster. I've never shot a griz althought that's why I bought mine for protection from them here in central Illinois. (you never know. :) ) It might not hurt to check with people who have actually shot a grizzly as to what is more important, penetration or expansion. I've been under the impression that penetration is more important. (?) If you're looking for a hollowpoint those Hornady 500 grain XTP's look to be a pretty nasty piece of business. I've got a box of them on the shelf but haven't loaded them up yet.

Have a good one,
Dave

[mbartel]

The 500 gr. Hornadys XTPs are softpoints. The 350gr XTPs are hollowpoints.