500 S&W mag and lead bullets?
- Thread starter TheGerman
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50 Shooter
member
I load 390 and 700gr gas checked bullets in mine along with 350 gr jacketed, would have to look up what I used for charges in each one. Don't have a chrony so I don't know the velocities for each round, I do know that the 390's seemed to produce the most felt recoil.
The 350's were very accurate, I could hit a 12" gong at 200 yards without any problems! I think I'll try some lighter loads to see how accurate they can be in my gun.
The 350's were very accurate, I could hit a 12" gong at 200 yards without any problems! I think I'll try some lighter loads to see how accurate they can be in my gun.
mahansm
Member
I load Missouri Bullet Manufacturing 400 grain "Devastator" bullets with a moderate charge of Trail Boss for the women and children. Shoots pretty well; no observed leading. For more interesting shooting I use the Hornady data with their 350 grain FTX and 'Lil Gun.
Perceived recoil is equivalent to or above that obtained with full power 700/725 grain lead loads.
Perceived recoil is equivalent to or above that obtained with full power 700/725 grain lead loads.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The 440gr LBT is reportedly one of the best for this caliber. The perfect balance of weight and achievable velocity. Supposed to be a great penetrator. All reasons why I ordered 1000 of them from LeadHeads for my .500JRH. Along with 1000 of the 400gr bullets from Missouri Bullet for moderate/practice loads.
50 Shooter
member
Try www.loadswap.com
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Not a problem at all, as long as they're the proper hardness with a gas check, which these are. Hodgdon has data getting the 440gr up to 1650fps.
Lost Sheep
Member
My friend shoots a lot of cast lead bullets in his 4" 500S&W, up to 600 grains. The 350 grain bullets clock at well over 1350 fps (as I recall, I may be able to consult my notes and correct that figure, but they do approach thumb-dislocating recoil levels) without leading and without gas checks .
He got his bullets from a local caster in Alaska who just retired from the business this year. Proper hardness is essential and a gas check is a very good idea. I am not in complete agreement with what CraigC said but very nearly so.
Lost Sheep
He got his bullets from a local caster in Alaska who just retired from the business this year. Proper hardness is essential and a gas check is a very good idea. I am not in complete agreement with what CraigC said but very nearly so.
Lost Sheep
bluetopper
Member
Me personally, I would never shoot cast bullets without gas checks in the 500, especially lighter weight bullets.
I've shot a bunch of them.
I've shot 350gr hard cast gas check bullets at over 2100fps out of my 500 Handi-Rifle. Performed great.
I've shot a bunch of them.
I've shot 350gr hard cast gas check bullets at over 2100fps out of my 500 Handi-Rifle. Performed great.
OP
OP
TheGerman
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Thanks all for chiming in. Ordered myself the LEE 440 gr mold, some gas checks and the Lyman sizer for the 450... Never saw the Hodgdon lead data on their site - was probably too focused on the FMJ.
What kind of hardness do you use for your .500 bullets?
What kind of hardness do you use for your .500 bullets?
Lost Sheep
Member
Sorry, I do not know the Brinell hardness number or the alloy mix. All I know is that Arnie (the guy doing the casting) knew his business, as my friend has never had leading of any significance.
I feel dumb, now, suggesting "adequate hardness" without any real-world hard suggestion, but here I am. Caught.
Lost Sheep
Curator
Member
OK, I too succumbed to the .50 caliber envy and bought a .500S&W barrel for my Encore. Since I really don't want to get beaten and bruised, I am considering making it into a .50-50 black powder round sort of like the old .50-70 "carbine" cartridge. I am sizing down the Lee 370 R.E.A.L. bullets to .502 and loading the cases with 4 grains of SR4759 and 45 grains of FFg Goex, and a .125 hard felt wad. REAL bullets seated to expose the top lube groove. I am also loading some cases with the 440 grain Lee bullet over 19 grains of SR4759 which is the rough equivalent of 55 grains of FFg black powder.
I haven't gotten the chance to shoot any of these yet but expect to have some time over the weekend. I hope to duplicate the effectiveness of the Encore 50X209 muzzle loading barrel I regularly hunt with but have the convenience of breech loading cartridge but not too much recoil.
I haven't gotten the chance to shoot any of these yet but expect to have some time over the weekend. I hope to duplicate the effectiveness of the Encore 50X209 muzzle loading barrel I regularly hunt with but have the convenience of breech loading cartridge but not too much recoil.
tightgroup tiger
Member
Curator, I absolutely love 3 dimensional thought.
I also use those same bullets but would not have thought to do that with them.
I hope they work out for you.
I've been pining over a 500 magnum and this makes it that much more appealing. Still not sure about the perceived recoil. Not sure I'm up to it anymore.
I also use those same bullets but would not have thought to do that with them.
I hope they work out for you.
I've been pining over a 500 magnum and this makes it that much more appealing. Still not sure about the perceived recoil. Not sure I'm up to it anymore.
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Curator
Member
I figure a duplicate of what I am shooting in my .50X209 Encore should be comfortable and effective. I expect a bit better accuracy with a breech loader but I am open for real-time data. I will keep the forum up to date as I get actual experience---
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