S&W 500 loads...

[Rodentman]

I just got a used S&W 500. Lightly used. I don't think many of them get heavy use and then sold, but anyway this one is clean and tight.

I've reloaded quite a lot and this is the 17th caliber I do. I've reloaded and shot hot .44's and .50 AE's so I know about recoil. Now I take on the 500 and I guess I aint seen nothing yet.

I prefer to start low. Lyman 49 lists some Unique "reduced" loads so I loaded 5 with 18g Unique with the Speer 4491 350g bullet. Now I am qualified to work making AA batteries or chapsticks. Haven't fired them yet.

But...

I am puzzled by the vast difference in loads. I know this has been brought up before, but with the 500 I REALLY want to be careful. Lyman 49 lists Lil Gun powder with a Hornady XTP 350g bullet: 33.3g to 37.0g of powder.

Speer 14 lists the same powder with a Speer 4491 350g bullet: 45.0g to 49.0g of powder. Seems like a large swing to me. Also Speer calls for LR mag primers; Lyman just LR primers.

Can someone shed some light on this in terms of what is a "safe" range? Isn't it a big swing between a max of 37.0g and 49.0g between manuals?

 

[ljnowell]

Well, when comparing similar weights and seeing differences sometimes it has to do with the bullet profile. Some will have more bearing surface than others, affecting charge weights. That is a pretty big swing though.

 

[56hawk]

I'm finding the same thing looking for a load with a 340 grain bullet using H110. I posted it here http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=638254

Anyway, I think part of the discrepancy with the 500 is that the load manuals stay way below the maximum design pressure of 60,000 PSI. For example with H110 Lyman lists 40 grains of powder at 45,000 PSI and Hodgdon lists 43 grains of powder at 50,600 PSI. QuickLOAD predicts 49 grains of powder to get to 60,000 PSI.

I'm planning on working up slowly while checking for signs of pressure. You should be fine with any of the listed data. Speer must be running the pressure a lot closer to maximum though.

 

[Grumulkin]

1. I would not use Lil' Gun.

2. With whatever powder you choose, start at the lower to mid range of the lowest published loads and work up. Sometimes recommended loads differ because of the velocities a particular bullet is designed for and not because of pressure issues.

3. Whether you use large rifle magnum or large rifle primers doesn't matter as long as you work up loads for each. I've had best success with large rifle primers. If you use the magnum primers, you'll probably have to reduce the load by 1 to 1.5 grains.

4. I believe the design pressure for the 500 S&W Magnum is 65,000 psi but, if you go that high, ejecting cases from a revolver will probably be difficult so lower pressure loads are usually published.

 

[MEHavey]

I tend not to push it past 50ksi, but at the same time I find Lil`Gun to perform very well w/ heavy Lead.

See http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7395330&postcount=12

At the same time, I've standardized on W296/43.gr for the jacketed 350 XTP (~1,700fps from the 8-3/8" barrel)

 

[Rodentman]

Thx for the info. I plan to start low and work up if I feel I can handle it. I am not planning on pushing the limit. I get the feeling that any load, even modest, will be a hoot in this cannon. I just want to find a safe starting point. Safe for my body and the gun. More worried about my hands at first.

 

[mahansm]

I worked up a load with the Hornady 300 grain FTX bullet using Lil Gun, new Starline brass, and Winchester Large Rifle primers. Max charge (from Hornady's web page, <http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/ftx_load_data/500_sw_magnum_ftx.pdf>) is 49 grains. My top load of 48.5 (individually weighed) grains showed no excessive pressure signs and extracted easily from my S&W.

However, that was a little more than I want to shoot on a regular basis and I've backed down to about 46 grains of powder for that bullet.

 

[MEHavey]

The standard 8-3/8" X-Frame shooting the above loads is a pussycat.
But don't let too many people know that.
That info's only for the In-Crowd.

 

[gamestalker]

I'm probably one of the worst reloaders to consult, especially when referring to magnum revolver cartridges. I live for full house magnum performance, and even though I'm only a 125 lb. man, recoil from a hand cannon isn't all that bad if you know how to absorb it.

I have one powder, H110 or 296 as it were. I start in the mid range and work up until I know I'm there. If I'm standing 4' or 5' further back than where I started after the first round, I'm likely where I want to be with the load. All joking aside, I'm very comfortable with H110 or 296 simply because, those powders are designed for nothing less than full house, and therefore don't cause spiking problems. And on that note, being aware that there is really no such thing as down loading with them, you always know what to expect.

 

[Rodentman]

I also like the full house stuff, and am a big fan of H110. I use it in my .44's and .50 AE's. I just don't want the hot stuff to be the first I fire from the 500. I know I'll get there, because that's where the fun is, but I will try a few lower power first, not with H110. I loaded 5 with 18g Unique per Lyman 49 using a 350g Sierra. May try a another 5 with Titegroup.....

 

[mahansm]

For light loads, Trail Boss works quite well. Just figure out how much it takes to fill the case to just below the base of the seated bullet. 400 grain lead with about 11.5 grains of Trail Boss is light enough for the women and children.

Steve

 

[trapper500]

S&W 500 Loads

I have worked up a good load for my Handi-Rifle using Ramshot Enforcer & a Rainer 335 grn HP 42.0 grns of Enforcer