does the 500 s&w make sense?

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dakotasin

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i enjoy hunting big game with handguns, and have run successful campaigns with my 480 and 50 ae.

i've got the 'i-need-a-new-gun-itch' (again) and i think i want to get another revolver. local gun shop has a new 500 smith in stock, and there is a used 500 at the local pawn shop for $200 less.

however, not having followed the smith real close, i am stuck wondering if the 500 smith really makes sense when the 460 is available...?

thoughts on the 460 versus 500?

thanks!
 
They are the "mostest" if you want to carry the size and weight. How much more than a 480 do you want?
 
the 460 seems to be much more versatile IMO... that is what i would go with... i am currently wanting it in a Ruger No. 1
 
The .460 is typically a 200-270 grain round and the .500 is often a 350 grain round. For pure energy at the muzzle, the .500 is king. When you are hunting at 100-200 yards, the ballistics of the .460 are awesome for a handgun round. If you zero at 150 yards with the new Hornady round and a 8 3/8" barrel, you are only 2.4" high at 100 yards and only 6.3" low at 200 yards. The energy at 200 yards is still nearly 800 ft lbs. Compare this with a .44 magnum hunting round at 100 yards which is typically in the 700 ft lbs range. The .500 still has 1261 ft lbs at 200 yards and is only a little less flat shooting than the .460.
If you have ever shot a .454 Cassul, both the .460 and the .500 have a stronger recoil. Neither are hard to manage with the muzzle brake on the S&W XVR revolvers. The noise and blast from the .500 is worse than the recoil and is incredible to experience. Very fun to shoot.
Also, keep in mind the .460 can also shoot the .454 Cassul AND the .45 long Colt. Much more versatility than the .500 that can only fire .500s (but has a bigger bark).
 
Also, keep in mind the .460 can also shoot the .454 Cassul AND the .45 long Colt. Much more versatility than the .500 that can only fire .500s (but has a bigger bark).
Click to expand...

exactly!!!
 
A pound or more of additional weight for 100-200fps (maybe) over the 454. Awfully hard to tell the difference in the field. If you want that extra velocity for sure then you are talking about a 12" barrel, 80oz revolver.
 
I have the 460 and find I shoot 460 out of it. Using the 454 and the 45 suck as far as accuracy go after you set it for 460.

If you handload the 460 has more options over the 500
 
The .460 IS a lot better, if you don't already own a .44 mag or .45 Colt. If you have either of those guns, are you really going to download your .460 for shooting medium/plinking loads. If not, then having the extra upper end, and sectional density/big bore factor that the .500 has will give you the edge at the upper end. I seriously thought about the .460, but realized I would be using my .44 mag, occasionally, for lesser game, and wanting the ultimate bigbore for dangerous game, or hearing a"boom" instead of a "bang" when I shoot. I think only a .50 or bigger makes an honest-to-God BOOM.
 
I doubt that game would know either way which hit them. They are both extremely impressive pistol rounds. I think the versatility of the .460 is what makes it appealing to me. .04 of an inch diameter difference is marginal when the .460 velocity is considered. To me the .460 is big, medium, small game medicine, and even a plinker round with mild .45 colt rounds. I think the folks at S&W looked ath the .500 as overboard for too many, and the .460 filled the gaps that the .500 couldn't.

All that said, i'd still like to have both!
 
I have the 460 and find I shoot 460 out of it. Using the 454 and the 45 suck as far as accuracy go after you set it for 460.

If you handload the 460 has more options over the 500
Click to expand...


My XVR shoots .454 and .45LC very well, but they print so so much differently, that unless you like to shoot using "Kentucky windage" or adjusting sights, it's just not worth the effort, and if you handload, there's no reason to shoot anything but .460 cases. I advise those that want to shoot .45LC or .454 to buy an appropriate gun. Buying an X-frame to shoot those calibers predominantly is a waste of money and of a great gun. The .500 probably has more options for shooting really big bullets (350gr and larger), but IMHO, there ain't nuttin' wimpy about a 300 gr .45cal bullet screamin' @ almost 2000fps, and it's all I've ever need for what I encounter. My .460, even with factory loads, is pleasant to shoot. Shooting my own handrolled in it is a blast. It's accuracy amazes me everytime I shoot it. I also have found some reduced load recipes that print close enough to my hunting loads, that it actually helps my accuracy to practice with them.


That don't mean that someday, I might not have a .500 also.......
 
The .460 offers a flatter trajectory, making it viable at 200 yards on deer, etc, if one is a good enough shot (optics, anyone?). I wanted my .500 for 0-75 yards on dangerous game, or closer range hunting on mule deer or elk. Also, for just pure fun, the .500 can shoot up to 800-900gr cast bullets.
 
The 500 &460 S&Ws don't make sense to me. Because of their size and weight I'd rather have a long gun. They are so much larger than my model 29, even with its 8 3/8 barrel they just are not practical for me.

The 44 magnum is as large and powerful a handgun that I can comfortably handle. If my 44 mag can't get it done, I need something more powerful than a hand gun and have no problem using a rifle or a shotgun.
 
Probably get flamed for this but...

A 350grain bullet using 10 grains of trail boss gets a bullet at about 850 fps. Very little recoil (if any) and a bullet leaving the barrel at that speed is not going to deafeningly loud. The muzzle energy is about 561 foot pounds.

compare to the 357 magnum using a 158 grain bullet speeding at 1200 fps (loud!) produces 535 ft lbs of energy...

Of course, lugging a 4.6 pound pistol around would probably get old.
 
Without regard to caliber and ballistics, the full sized Smith 500 is just plain huge. It's more gun than I want to pack around.
 
Probably get flamed for this but...

A 350grain bullet using 10 grains of trail boss gets a bullet at about 850 fps. Very little recoil (if any) and a bullet leaving the barrel at that speed is not going to deafeningly loud. The muzzle energy is about 561 foot pounds.

compare to the 357 magnum using a 158 grain bullet speeding at 1200 fps (loud!) produces 535 ft lbs of energy...

Of course, lugging a 4.6 pound pistol around would probably get old.
Click to expand...

Yeah but it would make a hell of an HD gun!!!!
 
I want a .500, but I'm perfectly content with my .44 for now. I plan on buying some buffalo bore ammo soon to satisfy my urge to sling heavy lead around.
 
There's also the option of purchasing 500 S&W Special ammo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.500_S&W_Special

Ballisticsupply.net also carries a 500 Magnum load but Special-esque in power similar to what Broken Wheel mentioned.

http://www.ballisticsupply.net/Default.aspx?tabid=252105

From their website: "50 rnd box = $65.00 Muzzle velocity = 800 fps Muzzle energy = 500 ft. lbs. 370 and 440 gr. Hardcast = $70/box

The Defense Load is designed for just that - Home Defense. It has virtually no recoil which gives you the capability to fire and hit the target in Double Action Mode. With the Defense Load, there is no over-penetration. This gives you peace of mind that there are no worries of hitting your neighbor a quarter of a mile down the road.

Consider this: The standard 45 ACP has been one of the No. 1 defense loads for almost 100 years. It has a .451“ bore and pushes a 230 gr. slug at 800 fps with 327 ft. lbs. of energy. The 500 S&W Defense Load is a .500“ bore and pushes a 350 gr. bullet at 800 fps with 500 ft. lbs. of energy. The 370 gr. hardcast traveling at 800 fps has 526 ft. lbs. of energy, and the 440 gr. hardcast at 800 fps delivers a whopping 625 ft. lbs. of energy.

The accuracy of these loads is second to none with an average of 1 inch or less at 25 yards for 5 rounds. The Defense Load are also available in our Sample Pak. Try it - you will be amazed!"


350platedside_small.jpg

350 gr. defense load

www.taurusarmed.net www.gunnerforum.com
 
For most any person no. But for you yes. You have a .480 - great caliber - unfortunate that it never caught on. You like the hand cannon. I would be more than happy with a
.45 Colt shooting a 325 grain LBT at 1,300 fps and 1,300 ft lbs. in a Redhawk. I'd hate to carry that .500 S&W but it's lighter than a rifle.
 
If you have either of those guns, are you really going to download your .460 for shooting medium/plinking loads.
Click to expand...

My sentiments and experience... I keep my .44 Magnums sighted in for full-house loads. I have equivalent and extremely similar .357s to play and practice with, so why would I keep screwing with the sights on my .44s? POI of .45 Colt and full-power .460 S&W are quite different, especially in a long barrel.
 
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