I have been reading in the archives and have seen multiple people talking about 500 S&W's chamber rating actually being 60,000 PSI rather than 50,000 PSI. Is this true? All of the load data I can find is for 50,000 PSI so I wanted to check. It'd be great great if 60,000 is the actual rating but I don't know if that's true. Any help would be great.
500 S&W Chamber Pressures
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
According to Speer #14 it's 65,000psi for the .460 and 60,000psi for the .500. It also states that both are typically loaded well under their maximums for reliable extraction, as is the .454.
bluetopper
Member
Isn't this true with most all high pressure calibers............that they are not loaded up to their maximum chamber specifications for safety? I'm talking factory ammo and published reloading info.
I don't buy the notion "for reliable extraction".
I don't buy the notion "for reliable extraction".
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jgiehl
Member
A little off topicish, but if you reload the 45-70 to the true potential of the round (Ruger #1) and shove it in a trapdoor....BOOM!!
So in this case to the limits of the firearm and for reliable extraction it's safer to load it lighter right?
So in this case to the limits of the firearm and for reliable extraction it's safer to load it lighter right?
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
That's a direct quote from the Speer manual. Things get a little weird operating at those pressure levels and most experts agree that there is very little reason to. Not sure about the X-frames but the Ruger .454's have an issue with sticky extraction at maximum pressures due to the elasticity of the Carpenter Custom 465 stainless used in their cylinders. Not a problem in the super strong five-shot Freedom Arms guns.
buck460XVR
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Do you load for the .460 or .500? In order to not have to drive out my empties with a dowel, I always load below max for my .460. Since Dinosaurs became extinct, I really have no legitimate reason to load it hot anyway.
mes227
Member
When I load heavy Buffalo Bores in my 460 I have to drive the brass out with a dowel - I never had that problem with lighter factory or hand loads. Clearly Speer is right.
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