Problem with factory 500 S&W

[C4AJ]

I recently purchased a used 500 s&w and gave it a thorough inspection. She appeared to be in good condition and had been well maintained. I shot some ARMSCORE 300 grain rounds because they were available and "cheap," but I noticed that some cases were clean while others were quite dirty, while others had unburned powder and one case was very rough to the touch after firing. I've never owned a revolver before, and this is my first, so I don't know much about them or how the 500 magnum eats brass.

I will show pictures on what I mean.

 

[gotboostvr]

I'd try some good ammo before making a judgement.

Armscorp ammo runs on the cheap side, and cheap ammo can be pretty inconsistent and or dirty.

Run some Hornaday through it and see what it looks like.

 

[edwardware]

Nothing to worry about. The cases are dirty because the pressure rose slowly enough that they didn't seal to the chamber walls before the combustion gas escaped behind the bullet. It's normal.

 

[LaneP]

That's a heck of a hand cannon for your first "wheelie", congrats. As mentioned previously, .500 cases are built thick and designed to contain tremendous pressure, so if there is insufficient gas pressure on firing (loaded too light is the most common reason), gas will escape and travel rearward, blackening the case mouths. Grab some top shelf commercial or if you handload, pick a good bullet and powder charge combo from reliable data and you will see a difference.

 

[sparkyv]

My thoughts exactly!

That's a heck of a hand cannon for your first "wheelie", congrats.

 

[ontarget]

Wow OP, that's a unique choice for a first revolver.
Kinda like buying a monster truck as your first vehicle.
How do you like it so far?
I'm not being snarky. I've never fired a 500.
What is your impression without having any other revolver experience to compare it to?
As to the original post, I would try premium ammo like the others said. I load my 45 Colt loads at less than max pressures and definitely get those black streaks on the brass.

 

[C4AJ]

Nothing to worry about. The cases are dirty because the pressure rose slowly enough that they didn't seal to the chamber walls before the combustion gas escaped behind the bullet. It's normal.

Okay what about the case that felt like it was burnt had tons of u burnt powder on the side of it feeling very rough?

 

[ontarget]

Okay what about the case that felt like it was burnt had tons of u burnt powder on the side of it feeling very rough?

Definitely an ammo problem. And lower grade brass is what it looked like in your pic.
Unburned powder could have been contaminated, or a weak primer, or a number of other things found with lower end ammo.

 

[Old_Grouch]

Nothing to worry about. The cases are dirty because the pressure rose slowly enough that they didn't seal to the chamber walls before the combustion gas escaped behind the bullet. It's normal.

^^^ This. ^^^

 

[BigBlue 94]

How do you like it so far?
I'm not being snarky. I've never fired a 500.
What is your impression without having any other revolver experience to compare it to?

Having fired 357 and 44 mag, 45 Colt, and even 22-250 from a pistol, the 500 is in a class all to itself. I cant imagine it being my first revolver. Guy must have cahones of steel!

 

[C4AJ]

Wow OP, that's a unique choice for a first revolver.
Kinda like buying a monster truck as your first vehicle.
How do you like it so far?
I'm not being snarky. I've never fired a 500.
What is your impression without having any other revolver experience to compare it to?
As to the original post, I would try premium ammo like the others said. I load my 45 Colt loads at less than max pressures and definitely get those black streaks on the brass.

Well so far I like it but the rounds I fired above were so weak to me that I felt pretty disappointed honstly felt like I was shooting a 9m. My desert eagle gave me recoil and bang then they did but again they were cheap. I got the gun for some recoil and bang from what my buddy has told me he likes the 400-500 grain rounds good enough kick but not too bad so I think im gonna like thouse as well.


My original plan was to work my way up getting a .357 then a .44 magnum and then 500 but this one was at a good price and I just really couldn't pass on. Im already hand loading for my degale using berrys 300 grain bullets and h110 powder (gonna need to buy different primers and brass, now possibility bullets too lol)

 

[ontarget]

Well so far I like it but the rounds I fired above were so weak to me that I felt pretty disappointed honstly felt like I was shooting a 9m. My desert eagle gave me recoil and bang then they did but again they were cheap. I got the gun for some recoil and bang from what my buddy has told me he likes the 400-500 grain rounds good enough kick but not too bad so I think im gonna like thouse as well.


My original plan was to work my way up getting a .357 then a .44 magnum and then 500 but this one was at a good price and I just really couldn't pass on. Im already hand loading for my degale using berrys 300 grain bullets and h110 powder (gonna need to buy different primers and brass, now possibility bullets too lol)

You can reload your Armscor brass. I do for my 45 Colts And 1911s. Just inspect them and scrap the rough or worn pieces.

 

[C4AJ]

You can reload your Armscor brass. I do for my 45 Colts And 1911s. Just inspect them and scrap the rough or worn pieces.

oh yes I definitely will but need more brass then just 20 lol

 

[ontarget]

oh yes I definitely will but need more brass then just 20 lol

I don't know, I might use that as an excuse to limit my punishment to only 20. LOL.

 

[C4AJ]

Wow OP, that's a unique choice for a first revolver.
Kinda like buying a monster truck as your first vehicle.
How do you like it so far?
I'm not being snarky. I've never fired a 500.
What is your impression without having any other revolver experience to compare it to?
As to the original post, I would try premium ammo like the others said. I load my 45 Colt loads at less than max pressures and definitely get those black streaks on the brass.

Fast forward a couple weeks. I've made a few hand loads some 440 and 500s and fired a few 700s

Went from 22gr of lil gun to 34-35grs on both 440 and 500 grain bullets. I love the recoil . I got to fire some factory 700 grain bullet that are rated at 1250 fps and they actually flet like it had the same recoil or less then my hand loads lol. I can probably shoot her all day just fine only thing holding me back is the rounds I make lol

 

[tightgroup tiger]

How do you do with it for accuracy?

 

[C4AJ]

How do you do with it for accuracy?

I've been shooting at an 8-inch steel plate with it primarily from a distance of no more than 20 to 30 feet, at most. I've been attempting to discover the load and grain combinations that I like best but haven't yet done for groups or very good accuracy.
Once I've found something I like and believe I have, I'll practice my accuracy and long-range shooting. I'm now playing with 440–500 grain hard cast lead, but I'm shortly going to purchase some 700 grains to play around with.

 

[buck460XVR]

Well so far I like it but the rounds I fired above were so weak to me that I felt pretty disappointed honstly felt like I was shooting a 9m.

As has been already said, seems your issue is with cheap ammo. Sooty cases means not enough pressure to expand that heavy wall brass enough to seal. Unburned powder generally means there is not enough back pressure to properly ignite it completely. Could be the really light for caliber bullet or just a lack of a firm crimp. I would clean the chambers well to remove any carbon/powder residue that may add to high pressure and hard extraction when you start to shoot legitimate .500 ammo. With the super big bores, going from light to heavy bullets will make for a big difference in POI from POA.