500 S&W bullet weights?

[gdk771]

I recently obtained a 500 S&W and would like to reload for it. Can someone suggest a good all around target lead bullet weight to use? I see anywhere from 275 grains all the way up to 500 grains in weights. All I plan to use mine for is paper punching and exploding watermelons with

 

[editingfx]

Just found a .500 case in my brass pick-up at the range.... jeez that'd scare me shooting that much powder out of a freakin' handgun! I've got it sitting next to a 9mm round in my office & it makes the 9 look like a .22!

 

[kestak]

Greetings,

VERIFY THE CURRENT DATA. DON'T TAKE MY WORD!!!!

I shoot 350 gr berrys for plinking with 14 gr of Unique in a BFR 10 1/2 and the recoil is very light.

I shoot the same bullet with 38 gr of H110 and the recoil is very stout.

I shoot 700 gr hard cast lead with 26 gr of H110 and the recoil is 70% of the previous one.

BE CAREFUL: Too much crimp with Berrys plated bullet can cut throught the "jacket" and make some of the jacket stay in your barrel. The next round will be disastrous.

BE CAREFUL: The 38gr of H110 load can't be crimped enough with that bullet and you need to shoot one bullet at a time with empty cases in the other chambers. The recoil will dislodge the bullets in the other chambers in 4 shots. (I know, I tested it.).

Thank you