500 S&W Maximum

[Haywire Haywood]

I wonder how long it will be before someone stretches the 500 case and comes up with a Maximum....

just my random brain droppings....
Ian

[Questor]

I'm glad people tinker with stuff like that, but after a point, I lose interest.

I lost interest when the handguns got bigger than I want a handgun to be, like the Encore, the Raging Bull, and the X frame. I also lost interest when the recoil of the cartridges imperiled the small bones of my hand and wrist.

It's as if I'm trapped in a dreamworld of delusional fantasy where "reality" means that the 44 magnum and hot loaded 45 Colt is the ideal, and smaller or bigger things just don't matter.


Here's a link to the 600 nitro handgun thread:
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=42770&highlight=

[Haywire Haywood]

Oh, I wasn't thinking of a handgun, that was the furthest thing from my mind.  NEF is releasing their Handi-Rifle in 500 Smith this month (22" barrel  :wink: ).  I was wondering when I could do to that what I did to my 357 Handi and ream to Max.  With some extra case capacity, I might be able to use some slower powders and acheive the same velocities (or more) while lowering chamber pressure.  The immediate problem I see is that the 500 Smith is an original design, no parent case to cut down for experimentation.     I was also thinking BP loadings with hollowbase Maxiballs.

more brain droppings,
Ian

[Questor]

Well, in that case, here's an idea:

I read that the Savage smokeless powdered muzzle loader is immensely strong. According to an article I read last week in the 2004 Gun Digest, Savage stress tested it with heavy loads, but gave up before destroying one. The heaviest load they used was two bullets fired with 90 grains of Red Dot powder. After they fired that load (remotely, of course) they were convinced that the gun was strong enough to sell.

I don't see why you couldn't use the same load. Or maybe the same load with just one bullet.  (just kidding, of course).

[Redhawk1]

Funny you should say that. A gun smith in California is making the 500 Maximum. Check it out.     http://www.jrhgunmaker.com/

[New Hampshire]

SSK makes a slightly altered version of the .50 140 Sharps that uses .50 BMG bullets.  Does that qualify (even though his was there first.)
Brian M.

[Haywire Haywood]

Of course these revolvers with 5 to 7 inch barells are actually hand guns that pack as easily as a 44 magnum, but hit second only to the Smith & Wesson hand carbine, the 500 S+W Magnum.

Seems their "500 Maximum" isn't exactly 'Maximum' compared to S&W's offering.  

Thanks for the link tho,
Ian

[Redhawk1]

Of course these revolvers with 5 to 7 inch barells are actually hand guns that pack as easily as a 44 magnum, but hit second only to the Smith & Wesson hand carbine, the 500 S+W Magnum.

Seems their "500 Maximum" isn't exactly 'Maximum' compared to S&W's offering.  

Thanks for the link tho,
Ian

You need to call Jack Huntington up. He also re-chambers the 500MAG cylinders to the 500 California super. You can shot the 500MAG's and the new 500 California super. It is different than the 500 Maximum. I was going to send you BFR 500MAG to him and have it done but decided the 500MAG was enough.  

[Haywire Haywood]

lots of interesting replies, never heard of the "California Super", sounds interesting.  
I looked at the 50-70 but in addition to it not being a true 50, the case dimensions dictated more than just a finish reamer to lengthen the chamber, the rim is bigger which affects the ejector on the Handis.  Even if I had a modified chambering that used a .500 bullet, it wouldn't be a simple hand reamer project like the 357 Maxi was.. oh well, I'll leave it to the wildcatters to iron it out.  I figure it's just a matter of time till they do.  Then I'll just leach off their work.    :-D  

thanks,
Ian