Author Topic: .475 Maximum or .500 Maximum Canon? (Read 1628 times)

JHT · « **on:** November 29, 2006, 11:38:05 AM »

I have a .475 Linebaugh that was smithed for me by John Linebaugh perhaps six years ago and I can only praise both John's attention to detail and the performance of the gun. The wear, on the gun, is almost nonexistent after the many "hot" rounds that have travelled down the barrel of this 4 5/8" gun. My question is this; does anyone have first hand knowledge either of the .475 Maximum or the .500 Maximum? I have been itching to have John build one of these powerhouses for me for sometime now. I know that the extra 150 to 200 f.p.s. is not needed, even to bring down the largest of game, but as most of us know that is not the only reason that we buy powerful, large bore handguns.

I would carry the Maximum in a similar fashion for hunting to the .475 and thus wonder the length of barrel that would be recommended.

Any insights into these calibers that may help me decide if I should proceed with having John build me one of these canons would be appreciated. There is nothing like benefiting from the knowledge of others.

Thanks guys and gals.

Camel 23 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 29, 2006, 12:07:14 PM »

Welcome to the forum! Lloyd should be along shortly to answer this type of question.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #2 on:** November 29, 2006, 12:58:22 PM »

heres my take on it. There twice as expensive have dammed near twice the recoil and gain about 300 fps and without bullets like kelly shlepps brass bullets the added velocity does little for penetration or killing power. Ive shot a few of them in both 475 and 500 and most of them were 5.5 inch guns.

WL44 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 29, 2006, 09:01:13 PM »

The good news is that Lloyd's hands survived it good enough to still type a reply!

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2006, 09:56:05 PM »

tell ya what they will make the palm of your hand smoke with heavy loads!!! i shoot alot of big guns but the maximums get into a level that at least for me take the fun right out of it. A standard 475 or 500 takes some consentration to bench for groups but isnt to bad off hand but the maximums to me anyway take alot of consentration off hand and on a bench a cylinder full of them is about all it can shoot without starting to flinch.

JHT · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2006, 12:00:16 PM »

Decisions, decisions, decisions!!! Thank you for your input and opinions. I am not surprised that the voice of wisdom, Lloyd, has come down on the side of common sense. Thanks guys, I will have to look for another project a.k.a., another way to spend my money.

Jay

2 dogs · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2006, 02:11:04 PM »

One of my friends tells me his 500 Maximum broke his finger TWICE!

Cannon · « **Reply #7 on:** December 02, 2006, 10:14:55 AM »

Not just his finger -- it's broken at least one other shooter's finger. To be fair, though, that was with some crazy loads, even for a maximum: 450's @ 1625.

I've recently seen one 500 max shooter claiming 1500+ with 525's. Recoil aside, I think that's really pushing the limits of the gun considering Linebaugh, Taffin, and Seyfried pretty well all agree 1500-1550 is tops for 450's.

Personally, I kind of like the maxes. Not for the extra performance, but because they can do everything the 1.4" cases do at not much more than black powder pressures.

Lloyd's point about prices is very true with regard to Linebaugh-built guns. If you can talk Clements into building one, about the only extra expense is coming up with the Bisley parts.

MS Hitman · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2006, 02:26:01 AM »

I've also shot both Maximums and they are quite fun; for a while. Like Lloyd said, the gain in performance would just not justify the extra expense to have the revolver built. Now if you want one, that in itself is justification enough. Just know that for the extra expense, powder, and recoil; you are not going to gain but an inch or two in penetration performance.

I agree with the statement about the Maxs performing more in line with black powder pressures on standard loads. I have also determined, that with powders such as HS-6 and Trail Boss, I am able to shoot 450 grain bullets from my .500 Linebaugh between 900 to 1,000 fps that are both accurate and enjoyable to shoot. Also, I have determined our animals just won't stop that heavy a bullet even at the reduced velocities. God willing, I plan to hunt elephant with my .500 this coming summer. I'll have the cylinder loaded with Punch bullets and have heavy charges of 296 or H-110 behind them.

You may want to consider a matching .500 to the .475 you already own.

Scott T · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2006, 04:09:55 PM »

I agree, these cannons are great fun, for the first cylinder full or so.

After that, I want a break.

Hitman has it nailed, you don't need to push these big guns too hard to make them work.

475/480 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 05, 2006, 07:16:54 AM »

I have a Gary Reeder 475 Maximum-8" bll on a frame he builds,I prefer longer barrels for sights,I just shoot them better than short barrels.
While the recoil is greater than the standard calibers you can always load them down for practice.
Velocity is 425gr WFNGC at 1600+ and 445gr WFNGC at 1550.
I just got a NIB Ruger 357 Maximum that I might get a Custom Maximum done or I will just keep it in the safe unifired.

Sean

Lee Robinson · « **Reply #11 on:** December 11, 2006, 03:40:12 AM »

MS Hitman,

Lee Here. How is it going? I look forward to meeting you and doing some shooting. Finally got my load bench and things in order to work out my loads on my 45 Colt. Anyway, I saw you have been considering shooting an elephant with a handgun. If you don't mind me asking...why an elephant? I understand the trophy aspect of it, but is anything be done with all that meat? What is typically done with the meat of these huge animals?

MS Hitman · « **Reply #12 on:** December 11, 2006, 01:56:57 PM »

My plan is to shoot a tuskless cow, more so because they are usually the meanest and most agressive members of a herd.

NONE of the meat on these animals is wasted. Many local people enjoy the benefit of fresh meat foloowing the photo taking.

Email me at rjmillette@juno.com so we can schedule a time to get together and visit.

2 dogs · « **Reply #13 on:** December 11, 2006, 02:20:13 PM »

JHT, did you ever come to a decision?

JHT · « **Reply #14 on:** December 11, 2006, 02:59:15 PM »

2 dogs,

Thanks for asking; I've been discussing a "very special custom" build with Dustin Linebaugh, but that does not answer your question.

Regarding the Maximum, I've been considering all of the input and much like a menu with too many options I am still undecided. Keeping this in mind, I will admit that I have a liking for handcrafted pistols and the Maximums would fit this category.

Thanks for asking; I will keep you guys updated.

Jay

Lee Robinson · « **Reply #15 on:** December 12, 2006, 04:59:22 AM »

Thanks for the feed back. I was wondering if they used the meat and I am VERY GLAD to see they do. I actually don't have anything against hunting for sport as would be the case for most hunts overseas...but always hope we use whatever can be used...and if we can't use it ourselves (bring it back with us) I hope that we donate what we can to those who can use it (the locals). When I harvest a deer, my dogs get a lot of treats just to keep waste down. Thanks again for your reply.

Lee Robinson · « **Reply #16 on:** December 12, 2006, 05:01:58 AM »

BTW, I have a bumper sticker on my truck that states a fact..."Hunters are America's greatest conservationists" and I know that to be true. I just thought I would clarify that before someone gets the wrong idea of my questions.

JHT · « **Reply #17 on:** December 13, 2006, 02:30:21 AM »

Lee,

Your questions and attitude is that of a true conservationist, certainly nothing at all to apologize for. On the contrary, your questions show that you are a very positive addition to the sporting community. Best of regards,

Jay

P.S. it is my understanding that game harvested from many oversea locales is barred from import into the US, but this is of no consequence as the local community, in many instances, is not only thankful for the meat, but in many cases is in dire need of it for their nutritional benefit.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #18 on:** December 14, 2006, 04:27:26 PM »

Hey JHT, go with the 500 Maximum, it'll kill'm deader!

JHT · « **Reply #19 on:** December 14, 2006, 10:53:06 PM »

Dusty,

Will all know that the 500 Maximum will "kill'm deader," but the question should be will it "kill'm better"

JHT

2 dogs · « **Reply #20 on:** December 15, 2006, 12:14:56 PM »

I happen to have a maximum frame you might be able to trade me out of.....

JHT · « **Reply #21 on:** December 17, 2006, 04:33:38 AM »

2 dogs,

As I recall Ruger came out with the 357 Maximum in two different barrel lengths a 7 1/2" and perhaps a 10". What is the barrel length on the frame that you have? How many rounds have travelled downrange from this gun that you know of? What is the overall condition of this gun, how tight is it, many scratches, etc., etc., etc.

Jay

PS What do you have in mind for a trade item? What State do you reside in?

2 dogs · « **Reply #22 on:** December 17, 2006, 09:13:46 AM »

It is a 10 inch. The box is not original, it is in extremely nice shape. I have not fired it, I did buy 200 new cases for it though. I also installed a Belt Mtn base pin in it. Like you, I was considering a Maximum, but the 475 I had built is all I will ever need. I shoot pretty much anything that has a trigger, so I am open to trades.