.500 S&W loads using 350gr cast TCGC

[Old Grumpy]

I'm going to load my first .500 S&W rounds this week and I have purchased some 350 gr TCGC cast bullets to use. I'm not looking for the hottest loads around but I would like something around 1200 to 1400 fps if possible. I would like some information for loads using 2400.

Does anyone have a starting point? Lyman's 49th shows a 370 gr cast load but not a 350 gr load. Lyman's does show loads for a 350 gr jacketed bullet which if all else fails I could reduce to start with. Hints or suggestions will just shorten the "learning curve" by a few dozen loads.

Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

Grumpy

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Handloads.com has load data for a 370gr WFNGC bullet, probably a Cast Performance bullet. That might help you...

 

[Old Grumpy]

Thanks ArchAngelCD. Sadly they also only show data for jacketed bullets.

I may have to select a starting point from data listed for the 370 gr bullet and adjust it from there.

 

[56hawk]

At 1200 to 1400 fps aren't you going to be well below the starting loads? I don't have my Lyman manual with me right now, but if they list a starting load for a jacketed 350 grain bullet with 2400 I would start there.

 

[Old Grumpy]

56hawk, sadly Lyman's 49th does not list any loads for the 500 S&W mag using 2400. When I purchased the pistol I emailed Hornady about loads and their response listed 2400 using 350gr XTP-MAG (30.6gr starting load and a 38.2gr maximum).

Alliant shows only one bullet for the .500mag and that is the 350gr Speer UCSP. Their data shows a maximum load of 42gr of 2400 pushing the 350gr bullet to 1642 fps.

I am giving serious consideration to starting my loads at 30gr of 2400 and seeing where they run. However, depending on my results with the 30gr, I may increase my charges by 0.5gr per step inplace of my normal 0.2gr. I will probably load 10 rounds per test batch and see where it goes.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks ArchAngelCD. Sadly they also only show data for jacketed bullets.

I may have to select a starting point from data listed for the 370 gr bullet and adjust it from there.

No, all 4 entries for the 370gr bullets in the S&W 500 Magnum are lead bullets. One load if for the LFP bullet and the other 3 are for a WFNGC bullet.

 

[Old Grumpy]

ArchAngelCD, I should have been clearer, the data for the 350gr bullets does not list any cast loads. There are loads for the 370gr cast bullet. I'll have to use either jacketed load data for the same bullet weight or load data for a cast bullet 20gr heavier and adjust the charge to start off.

When using data for a bullet of similar type (cast or jacketed) that is only 5 gr or so different I feel comfortable but the 20gr difference moves me out of my "comfort zone".

 

[bluetopper]

Try 28gr of 2400 and tell us how you like it.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Old Grumpy

I had the same dilemma as you back in 2006 when the 500S&W first came out and I just had to have one. I have been reloading for mine since. I have come to really like 31grains of 2400 under a 350gr cast bullet but you will find this is running about 1510avg across chrony above what you are looking for, though in 500S&W this is a very comfortable load to shoot. This is also data from the first S&W 500 version with the 8inch barrel and comp. I would love to have the 6inch version. Never have seen one in person though.

My wife has even shot this cast load a few times. It has average accuracy and really is just a plinking load for me if there is such a thing in 500S&W, average accuracy for me is a 2inch 5 shot groups at 25 yards two handed hold. If I get a chance I may take it out this weekend and shoot it from a rest and possibly do a review for my website http://www.dayattherange.com

By the way in the latest Hornady manual it shows 30.6gr of 2400 for 350gr xtp and a max of 38.2gr of 2400 for 350gr xtp.

Now having said that there are loads in manuals with titegroup powder that will get the fps you are looking for. But titegroup burns so hot that I have seen it really cut the top strap in revolvers. I tried 10 of these rounds and they were very light and pleasant to shoot but after the 10 rounds the barrel was almost untouchable from the heat. Again I do not recommend titegroup for revolvers I have seen a very deep top strap cuts from someone who used it exclusively with 38spl revolver, think about how hot a 500S&W load is.

Loads I use are

350gr cast 2400
350gr xtp H110
385gr JHP H110

 

[Jaxondog]

Give accurate's 1680 a try. I have very good result's.

 

[Old Grumpy]

Mr.Revolverguy, I've chosen to start with 30.0gr of 2400 under the 350gr TCGC bullet. I'm estimating it will run in the middle to upper 1400s.

An interesting side note, I've used 35.0gr of 2400 under a 350gr jacketed soft-nose bullet in my .458 Win Mag which ran 1825 fps. Accurate at 100 yards but after 20+ rounds my shoulder felt like I just wrestled a jack-hammer, and lost.

When I run them over my chrony I'll post the numbers.

Grumpy

 

[Old Grumpy]

Jaxondog, Do you load any other calibers with Accurate's 1680?

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Grumpy,

I may have missed it but which S&W500 do you have and will be shooting these loads in?

 

[bluetopper]

My two favorite powders in 500 S&W are IMR-4227 and Accurate 4100/Ramshot Enforcer......and I've tried a bunch of them.

I shoot the 500 out of a Handi-Rifle, exclusively.........it pegs the fun meter out.

 

[Old Grumpy]

Grumpy,

I may have missed it but which S&W500 do you have and will be shooting these loads in?

I have the 8 3/8" model (give to take a bit). I almost bought a 4" when they first came out but honestly, I did not feel I could handle that much power out of the 4". Still it looked just plain nasty in a good way!