Shot the "Beast" yesterday...ouch!

[VonFatman]

A friend let me try his 500 S&W(s) yesterday with some new (to him & me) ammo.

He'd just bought a box of Hornaday ammo with that 500 grain bullet.

Man alive! I first shot his 8 3/8's" Model 500 (w/a scope) and really had no trouble. I just fired it once...no need to go crazy. His scope was dialed in and I was on the money.

But when the same round was fired in that little "3 inch beast"...oh baby it really did NOT feel good. I just fired it once, that was enough.

It's point of impact (both of us shooting from 15 yards) was about 6-7" high.

When we fired the smaller Corbon 440-450 grain shells the previous week, the point of impact was closer to the bull, but still about 5" high from 15 yards.

I like trying different guns but think the "pain factor" shooting that particular package will keep me from doing it again.

Bob

 

[armoredman]

Some guns you just look at, smile, say "nice, yep," and pass on by.....a snubby 500 Mag is definately in that league.....

 

[russlate]

Bought a 458 Rem 700 Safari Grade and one box ammo. Sold it 6 mos. later with half a box of ammo left. I don't even want to watch some poor sucker fire a 500 S&W. Any length barrel!

 

[Gordy Wesen]

Saw a 'for sale' sign at a gun range years ago:
"416 Rigby For Sale.
Haven't had problems with Elephants since I got it"

 

[stans]

I expect to see lots of snubbie 500 S&W's on the used market pretty soon. A lot of people will buy one (brand new), shoot one or two rounds or maybe make it through a cylinder full and decide it is just not for them. Off they go to the gunshop to trade it in for about 60% of its value.

 

[VonFatman]

I agree, I also expect to see used 500's for sale. It's a punishing gun!

Bob

 

[Marshall]

Then I'll wait to get a good used one!

 

[BeLikeTrey]

Ditto Marshall!!

Anyone know how it compares in recoil to a .454?
I really enjoy shooting that one. I always thought it had more of a push than a snap to the recoil. as long as I didn't fight the recoil but kept my arm unlocked I was comfortable. really an enjoyable gun. Tell me about the .500

 

[VonFatman]

BeLikeTrey,
I've shot a Ragging Bull .454 and I'd say the 8 3/8" S&W 500 I shot last week was on par with that gun...
(I can't say that I "liked" shooting either...more of a "I've shot that gun" kinda thing)
BUT...
that stink'n snub nose 500 is more gun than I can enjoy.

Bob

 

[GEM]

I'm waiting for the really short barrel Sc framed gun from SW like their weird 45 ACP revolvers. I will use it as a retro rocket in case I am crashing my car.

 

[TamThompson]

S&W 500 recoil vs .454 C

Yes, I do know how they compare. A few weeks ago, mainly as an investment, I bought an S&W 500, with the 8 3/8" barrel. I expected I'd shoot it once or twice, soak my hand in ice water, then clean it and salt it away in the safe.

Oh, did I mention I'm a 5'2" WOMAN? Well, I am.

Anyhow, I was pleasantly surprised--with 275-grain HP's. Unlike my friend's .454 Casull, which has a HUGE degree of muzzle flip that hurts my small, female wrists, the S&W 500 is very well-balanced and has a good muzzle break on it. Result: it comes right straight back, mostly.

However, the Corbon 400-grainers REALLY spanked my hand hard, and thus I've bought a padded recoil glove. Even with the glove, one or two 400-grainers is quite enough for one month. And my hand is still sore...

But yes, I feel that for the money--I paid $875 for a brand-new 8 3/8" barrel model--it's a great gun!

I have no idea why anyone would carry the snubby, though, unless they are 6'8" and about 400 pounds, with bear paws.

Best,

 

[VonFatman]

Ms. Thompson,
After some reflection, I'd say you are more correct in your comparison of the .454 to the .500.
The Raging Bull I shot rose much more than the S&W (8 3/8")...it's been a while (several years since I shot that Bull). Your remarks rekindled the "pain" of that experience.

Enjoy your .500!

BTW...I'm 300 lbs and 6' 4" and found the snubby 500 to be NO fun at all.

Bob

 

[tc300mag1]

I would liek to shoot one looks like fun for a few rounds .. Been looking at the new ruger snubbie 454 they just released was laughing with dad and said might have to sell my carry gun and replace with that... I agree 454 can be brutal with wrong grips my super redhawk is switched to pac's on it and its no where near as bad.

havent shot a ragin bull to compare but i dont think muzzle flip is as bad with new grips or compared to what i heard about the tarus

 

[TamThompson]

VonFatman,
Please call me Tam!

I'm still trying to figure out the logic in why they'd make the 500 in a 4" barrel...I'm 5'2", and an extremely muscular 154 lbs, and I would not even try to shoot the snubby. Nor do I care to shoot the .454 Casull again. But an entire cylinder (5 shots) of 275-grain in a long-barrelled 500 is not that bad. Now, the 385-gr Spitzers, or the 400-grainers---maybe one a month.

And the thick, fleshy part of my left hand (I'm lefty) is still somewhat sore from shooting 3 days ago...

Am considering investing in the 10 1/2" S&W 500 hunter's special package, since it's an even longer barrel, with a longer muzzle-break, and they throw in some nice things like a sling and custom gun rug.

Just think--if you ever used that revolver for self-defense (in your home, since who's going to carry it?), you could probably avert a shooting just by pointing it at them at letting them get a good look at it, and then they'd probably lose some control of bodily functions. That is one intimidating-looking wheel gun! And, of course, you would not want to HAVE to shoot home invaders with it, since indoors it would no doubt deafen you and everyone else for life.

Best,

 

[Tom C.]

I got a PC500 Hunter with a 6 1/2" barrel. I have put a Weaver 2x scope on it with Warne QD mounts. It is a lot of fun to shoot, but I know of no requirement to shoot full power ammo all the time, or any time. I shoot reduced loads and it doesn't beat on me. Even full power loads aren't too bad, but I won't use them all the time.

 

[BeLikeTrey]

The one thing I liked about the 454 ...

was the ability to shoot lesser rounds... I think you can shoot 45lc's too can't you?
I never did, but the guy who owned it told me he was doing that to save his hands...(I think if he held it tightly in the hand but loose elbow he would've had less problems. )
Now that 45lc/454 would kinda make it more versatile to me. But that .500, what a cool monster.

 

[VonFatman]

Tam,
Are you a hunter? I have yet to get a (under 50 yd) shot at a deer this season (I have a Super Blackhawk in .44)...but I've shot 5 with my 25.06 Savage "lefty" bolt action.
I've always wanted to shoot a deer with a revolver. Maybe during the doe season next month.

Tom C.,
Have you hunted with your "hand canon" yet?

 

[scottauld]

I agree, I also expect to see used 500's for sale. It's a punishing gun!

Bob

...reloaders, rejoice!

 

[VonFatman]

I've always liked this photo...

Raging Bull...454

 

[napoleon solo]

500 Snubby

I have fired and own both the 83/4" and 4" S&W 500. Definetly 400 and up grain bullets will 'spank' you. However I really enjoy firing the 275 grain in each gun and find them to be accurate and a real 'blast'. The 83/4" barrel doesn't really get uncomfortable for me till I go beyond the 350 grain bullet. Both guns will stay in my collection and I will be happily firing them for days to come. In case you are wondering I am not a big guy. 5' 9" 168lb.

 

[tc300mag1]

Handgun hunting is very rewarding i took my first 2 deer within 10 mins of each other one at 15 foot other at 60-65 yard both with 454 SRH 250 grain bullets ... im kind of thinking i might want a 500 but sure dont know why