Question for the 500 S&W Mag Handi Owners

[kynardsj]

How many fps are you picking up over an 8 3/8 pistol by shooting the 500 mag in a rifle ? The loadbook I use has my 350 gr JHP's running 1697 from a revolver and I was wondering what my gain would be. Thanks.

[quickdtoo]

See the links in the FAQ on the 500S&W, there are two gun writer articles with load test data.

Tim

[kynardsj]

Well I reckon yall can just call me dumb as a rock cause I have searched for the last 45 minutes and can't find these FAQS.

[cwlongshot]

I cannot post pics. Thru my phone but If memory serves, I was getting 1750 fps with a 500 gr hornady XTP.

Accuracy was another story.

CW

[manatee1947]

reloading books show a 15" encore barrel gains only about 100fps over the smith, so probably another 100fps.

[quickdtoo]

The FAQs and Help sticky is in the shaded top section of topics on this page, it's the 6th topic down, two above this one right now, the one that says FAQ's and HELP ****PLEASE READ!!!****!  

Tim

[kynardsj]

Figured out how to work the FAQS thing ( Thanks )  but still didn't see what I was looking for. Hopefully someone with both guns and a chrony will chime in.

[quickdtoo]

If you use the Crtl f page search option as directed at the top of the page, it takes you right to anything you search for, they're both in the More Handi Info section. With hunting loads, ball park figures...you'll get 2150fps with 350gr, 1900fps with 440gr and 1400fps with 700gr.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,26264.msg504312.html#msg504312

[kynardsj]

Thanks Tim. I was guestimating that I was in the area of 2000 fps in a rifle barrel with a load that was 1697 in a revolver. My load is the bottom end of the Lilgun loading but it's very accurate so I figured if it ain't broke don't fix it. It's put two deer in the freezer in the last week or so with head shots at 50 and 75 yards.

[quickdtoo]

For the range that the 500S&W would typically be used at, even the slower heavy bullet loads work fine on deer from all the reports here, just like trapdoor loads work fine in the 45-70.  The velocities I listed were with max Lil'gun loads, accuracy is ~2" 3-shot groups at 100yds, not excellent, but plenty good for its intended purpose.

Tim

[cwlongshot]

I cannot post pics. Thru my phone but If memory serves, I was getting 1750 fps with a 500 gr Hornady XTP.

Accuracy was another story.

CW

My apologies, I was mistaken. Mid 1500 for the 500's.



But I got better then 1700 for the 400's...



CW

[quickdtoo]

Ditto on CWs comment on accuracy, John Taffin's accuracy looks great until you see that all shooting was done at 25yds!

Tim

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_1_53/ai_n16866654/?tag=content;col1

NEF .500 S&W HANDI-RIFLE
FUN/HUNTING LOADS

Bullet                          Load         Velocity   Group Size
brand, weight              (powder, charge    (fps)      (inches)
                           weight, grains)

OREGON TRAIL 370 GC        Trail Boss 11.7    1,028       1 1/2
CAST PERK BULLET 370 GC       Unique 10        999        1/8!!
CAST PERF. BULLET 370 GC      H4227 25        1,298         1
CAST PERF. BULLET 370 GC       IMR4227        1,327       1 1/8
CAST PERF. BULLET 440 GC      Unique 10        935         5/8
CAST PERF. BULLET 440 GC      H4227 25        1,312        5/8
CAST PERF. BULLET 440 GC     IMR4227 27       1,326       1 1/8
DRY CREEK 440 KEITH         Trail Boss 10      926        1 1/2
DRY CREEK 440 KEITH          Universal        1,122       1 1/2
DRY CREEK 440 KEITH          IMR4227 27       1,332       1 1/4

Notes: Groups are the result of three shots at 25 yards.

NEF .500 S&W HANDI-RIFLE
HUNTING HANDLOADS

Bullet                          Load         Velocity   Group Size
(brand, weight)            (powder, charge    (fps)      (inches)
                           weight, grains)

CAST PERF. BULLET 370 GC       H4227 30       1,513        1 1/2
CAST PERF. BULLET 400 GC      5744 32.5       1,472        1 1/8
CAST PERF. BULLET 440 GC       H4227 30       1,521        1 1/2
CAST PERF. BULLET 440 GC      5744 32.5       1,461         3/4
OREGON TRAIL 370 GC            H4227 30       1,585        1 1/2
DRY CREEK 440 KEITH            H4227 30       1,552         7/8
DRY CREEK 440 KEITH           5744 32.5       1,477         3/4
SIERRA 400 JFP                5744 32.5       1,419         5/8

Notes: Groups are the result of three shots at 25 yards.

NEF .500 S&W HANDI-RIFLE
FACTORY HUNTING LOADS

Load                             Velocity   Group Size
(brand, weight)                   (fps)      (inches)

BUFFALO BORE 400 JFN              2,035       1 1/8
BUFFALO BORE 440 LFNGC            1,497       1 1/2
BUFFALO BORE 440 LFNGC/HEAVY      1,925         1
COR-BON 275 BARNES                2,068       1 1/8
COR-BON 400 JSP                   1,971       1 1/2
COR-BON 440 HARD CAST             1,947       1 1/2
HORNADY 300 EVOLUTION             2,248        3/4
HORNADY 350 XTP/MAG               2,056        3/4
HORNADY 500 FP/XTP                1,546        5/8
WINCHESTER 400 PLATINUM TIP HP    1,978        7/8

Notes: Groups are the result of three shots at 25 yards.

[jason045]

For the range that the 500S&W would typically be used at, even the slower heavy bullet loads work fine on deer from all the reports here, just like trapdoor loads work fine in the 45-70.

  I'll second Tim on that one.  I shoot the 610gr Ranger Ricks at 1425 fps.  I could probably get near 1600 out of it but the load is amazingly accurate and its penetrative powers are outstanding even when you shoot through obstacles in your way.