S&W.500 revolver users need some advice please...

[Shawn Michael]

1) Looking for a good holster when doing a lot of hiking. I figure something across the chest/belly. Any thoughts? (7 inch barrel)

2) A more general question. Any consensus on the best hard case for a large revolver? Something that could get bounced around in the back of a 4x4 a bit and not worry, with "adjustable" foam. Guy at the gun store says Pelican brand, wanted to check it out here since gun store guys have given some questionable advice!

3) RE: 500 S&W ammo. Talking to some of the guys at shop about stopping power with a dangerous predator (bear) and the corbon 275 grain DPX (1665fps) which is a solid copper barnes bullet with a massive hollow got great reviews despite being a ligher and lower energy round. The other was Hornady 500 grain FP XTP (1425 fps) Wow! seems a lot more substantial. Bought some of each and and am going to shoot at some different mediums and see what happens. What factory 500 has the best stopping power in your opinion?

4) Formula for calculating muzzle energy? I'm going to have a look on google to see if I can answer this one myself.

Appreciated!

 

[gdvan01]

2)...I have 2 Pelican cases and have had no issues with either, they're just a little on the pricey side

4)... http://www.zknives.com/bali/bvtengy.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzzle_energy

 

[Stainz]

More advice...

Find hobbies/interests/vocations for later in your life that don't require manual dexterity/fine motor skills/strength in your dominant hand. The wrist damage/CTS/arthritis I now suffer resulted from years of using my hands - and taking up big boomers (.44-.454) later in my life. It now makes my enjoyment of carving, building models, etc, just memories. I often drop glasses of soda and ice tea, too. I am sure that my college teaching days, with all of that blackboard writing, were problematic, as well - as was my second profession, woodturning. Seriously, protect those wrists!

Sour grapes... I wish I could still 'stand' a .500... my latest purchases were a Ruger .32M SSM and SP101!

Stainz

 

[ZooFuzz]

Loading Info

http://www.reloadbench.com/main.html Reloading Info

http://www.midwayusa.com/ Cases, Reloading, Ammo, ETC.

http://www.gunhoo.com/ Gun Links


I agree with Stainz, I enjoyed handcannons when I was younger, but am now paying for it as I get older. I too have problems with my hands and wrists, but I work P/T in a gunshop and on occasion I get a chance to play, real hard to pass up. Just remember 500 rounds and any afternoon is a great day. Have a great week. ZF

 

[Bob79]

The formula for bullet energy is:

VxVxM/450,200

Meaning, velocity times velocity, times mass (bullet weight), all divided by 450,200.

Example, a .357 magnum round at 125 grains, going 1200FPS, is 400 ft lbs.

1200x1200x125/450,200=400

 

[highlander 5]

There is a better hard case out there made by Hardigg called "Storm Case" a
little pricey but very rugged their web site is www.hardigg.com or type in Storm Case in your search engine. I use their cases to pack parts for the various jet engine parts that we make and they are virtually indestructible. and consider that we are talking upwards of $50k for one part you want the best protection you can buy

 

[Shawn Michael]

Thanks for great replies

Reguarding the recoil issue: It is definately something to consider. I plan on shooting a lot of 500 specials. From what I have heard the 500 is compairable to 44 and less than the 454, I will see. I have been too busy to get out to the desert and find out, no go at the range.

I hoped that being a large persons with a heavy bone structure would help but that may not be the case. Wrist wraps have kept my wrists well with boxing/weights so maybe that would be protective...

 

[Smurfslayer]

From what I have heard the 500 is compairable to 44 and less than the 454, I will see

yeah... you'll see alright. FWIW, I've owned a 4" 500 for ... well... I can't remember, but soon after they were available. I've shot it with a wide variety of commercial and handloads. Hornady makes excellent ammo for the 500; I've shot their commercial 350's & 500 grains, as well as handloaded their bullets. I wouldn't be afraid to pack those 350's for any Norte Americano game. Frankly, the muzzle blast would kill most small creatures.

Corbon's 350's were also pretty impressive. It's difficult to make a side by side comparison as these were both very good rounds.

The rest of the commercial jacketed stuff I shot (almost 2 years back) wasn't anywhere near the ballistic equivalent of the 350's - current loads may have come close or eclipsed them, but your application would be well served by any of these ...

Now, as to the recoil. I've shot the 500, & 460 using .45 colt, 454 Casull, & 460. The 454 PALES in comparison to the 500 launching full power loads, period. Having conducted research on just how bad recoil can get in a handgun, only one "handgun" in my collection eclipses the 500S&W for recoil and muzzle blast. I dare not mention it's name even in hush tones or tiny font for fear of summoning the dark lord... A pussycat it ain't.

There are a number of similar design hard cases that will hold a 500 which will serve you also - inexpensive "Walmart" for about $15-20, 40 should get you a decent "luggage capable" container, and I have a Storm Rifle case with wheels which is very nice. I'm sure they make a pistol sized variant...

Shop around a bit and determine your budget for the case.
http://bighammer.net/500magnum.html

HTH

 

[Shawn Michael]

Great stuff. Thanks

Thanks. Just to clairify I was thinking about the smaller varieties of 454 and my light 44 mountian revolver...but I take your word for it. It always seemed to me that doubling up on the best ear protection you can buy seems to make the recoil less...read some good thinks about the compensator on my custom shop model, will see, cant wait.

I owned an odd single shot pistol called a "competitor" in .308, it had a interesting recoil, more like a rocket lauch than the 454 which just wanted to flip in my hand.

LEO's here in Torrance Calif get good discounts on Pelican Cases so its storm or that.

I never buy myself anything so might as well enjoy having the good stuff as I am having a good year $

Thanks!