Bore Rider
Member
I haven't seen many posts about the hand cannon so I figured I'd start one. I like mine and shoot it well. It's the most accurate large bore handgun I have. I can't wait to hunt with it.
Any 500 S&W owners out there?
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No, but I got myself a 460 xvr 8 3/8 a couple weeks ago. Mine is also very accurate. I was shooting 6" steel plates at 30-40 yards pretty well on my first trip out, with 45lc hand loads and 460 loads with trail boss and various bullets.
I shoot steel competitions a lot and have an XD 9mm that has many mods. I will practice at this distance once in a while, but my light steel loads don't hit the dualling (spelling?) tree with that much force(970fps load) and it takes a split second for the bullet to get there. The 460 with light loads really knocked that tree around with no recoil and seemed quite accurate with the factory adjustment on the sights. I need to practice some more with it.
I have run some 19xx fps loads. They are not punishing recoil wise, but the concussion is crazy. I was using hornady 240 grain xtp mag bullets. I have shot a 500 smith a few times with the same length barrel and that stung the palm of my hand (may have been a pretty heavy bullet, and the owner was loading to max loads).
I chose the 460 since I already had 45lc brass, bullets, and dies. It should be a bit more economical than the 500. I only kill steel and paper with my guns, so stopping power doesn't matter.
Do you hand load for your 500?
I shoot steel competitions a lot and have an XD 9mm that has many mods. I will practice at this distance once in a while, but my light steel loads don't hit the dualling (spelling?) tree with that much force(970fps load) and it takes a split second for the bullet to get there. The 460 with light loads really knocked that tree around with no recoil and seemed quite accurate with the factory adjustment on the sights. I need to practice some more with it.
I have run some 19xx fps loads. They are not punishing recoil wise, but the concussion is crazy. I was using hornady 240 grain xtp mag bullets. I have shot a 500 smith a few times with the same length barrel and that stung the palm of my hand (may have been a pretty heavy bullet, and the owner was loading to max loads).
I chose the 460 since I already had 45lc brass, bullets, and dies. It should be a bit more economical than the 500. I only kill steel and paper with my guns, so stopping power doesn't matter.
Do you hand load for your 500?
Action_Can_Do
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- May 28, 2005
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- 574
Yeah, I have a Performance Center variant. I've used it to put dangerous pumpkins and watermelons out of their misery.
Jaxondog
Member
I have a 500 and a 460 with scope's on both and are the most accurate handgun's i have ever shot. Recoil is simply awesome
. I love it
. I love it
freedom475
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- Jan 9, 2011
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- 97
Best gun walkin"...I usually shoot 350-450gr bullets at +/- 1000fps, it is very easy to shoot and accuracy is minute of a milk jug at a 100yards with my elbow resting on my knee...
I have shot the 450's all the way to 1500 fps out of the 4"...but that is crazy abusive recoil...The 400gr cast bullets that shot 1805 fps out of the 8 3/8" still shoot 1485fps out of my 4" (really only 3" rifled).
The 4" is easy to pack, fun to shoot, and by adding a comp block to that stupid muzzle break it is not as damaging to your ears. I consider it just about perfect for a woods gun. Add a good set of Badger grips and you have a great looking package too.
I have shot the 450's all the way to 1500 fps out of the 4"...but that is crazy abusive recoil...The 400gr cast bullets that shot 1805 fps out of the 8 3/8" still shoot 1485fps out of my 4" (really only 3" rifled).
The 4" is easy to pack, fun to shoot, and by adding a comp block to that stupid muzzle break it is not as damaging to your ears. I consider it just about perfect for a woods gun. Add a good set of Badger grips and you have a great looking package too.
Bore Rider
Member
I have all the gear to handload. I've got my dies, shellholder, 400 grain Barnes Busters, and Starline brass. I'm definitely planning to "roll my own" when I get back to Texas. I have a recalled lot of 300 grain Hornady FTX that I plan to pull the bullets on to keep the components. Hornady worked a deal with me and sent me a kinetic bullet puller in lieu of sending a defective ammo back to them.
My Experience with 460/500 shooters...
Where are you all located?
I ask this because I've run into maybe a half dozen folks with these BIG bores (including an ex-coworker who had a 460), and frankly none of them could hit crap with full power loads. Neither could I (and I've stopped trying, it hurts too much).
Reduced loads, yeah ok. Medium, maybe. Full power, forget it.
I've seen crazily inconsistent factory loads (when the chrono could actually get a reading) and reloads. I've also observed a Ransom Rest (at least I thinks that's what it was... he packed it up real quick when pieces started coming off) disintegrate under one.
One guy was bragging about his 25 yard groups, but couldn't demonstrate same at 15 yards... and I had to point out his target stand was at the 15, not 25 berm.
So, I'll pop for the six pack of soda next time someone is heading out to say Ben Avery or some such range near me and wants to show me how it's really done!
Good Shooting All.
Where are you all located?
I ask this because I've run into maybe a half dozen folks with these BIG bores (including an ex-coworker who had a 460), and frankly none of them could hit crap with full power loads. Neither could I (and I've stopped trying, it hurts too much).
Reduced loads, yeah ok. Medium, maybe. Full power, forget it.
I've seen crazily inconsistent factory loads (when the chrono could actually get a reading) and reloads. I've also observed a Ransom Rest (at least I thinks that's what it was... he packed it up real quick when pieces started coming off) disintegrate under one.
One guy was bragging about his 25 yard groups, but couldn't demonstrate same at 15 yards... and I had to point out his target stand was at the 15, not 25 berm.
So, I'll pop for the six pack of soda next time someone is heading out to say Ben Avery or some such range near me and wants to show me how it's really done!
Good Shooting All.
I've got a 8.375" barrel 500. Got it used for a pretty good price. I find that most of the big bore handguns for sale used don't have a lot of mileage on them.
I'm trying to find a Smith 151189. It's on their website but doesn't seem to be available. I have a lead on one that I am working out.
I reload for all centerfire calibers I shoot so the 500 wasn't a big step in that regard. It's great fun especially not having to rely on factory ammo.
56hawk, where did you get the speedloaders?
I'm trying to find a Smith 151189. It's on their website but doesn't seem to be available. I have a lead on one that I am working out.
I reload for all centerfire calibers I shoot so the 500 wasn't a big step in that regard. It's great fun especially not having to rely on factory ammo.
56hawk, where did you get the speedloaders?
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Bore Rider
Member
You just gotta let the big revolver kick you around a bit. You know it's going to hurt so just line up the sights and let her rip. I'm in Illinois and don't get much time to shoot. When I first got the gun I was in TX and shot it quite a bit with surprising accuracy. Beer cans and turtles at 25 yards and the like. No actual targets to gage the group size.
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