500 W.E. vs the 500 JRH ????

[Crazy Horse]

I am think about buying a FA 555 in 50 A.E. and getting either a 500 W.E. cylinder from FA fitted to it or a 500 JRH cylinder from Jack Huntington fitted to it. I really don't care for the looks of the case design on the 500 W.E.  I am sure it is a great caliber but the belted case just looks funny to me. It seems like the 500 JRH would have been the best way for Freedom arms to go when they decided to make a new 50 caliber pistol since you can cut 500 S&W cases down and Buffalo Bore makes loaded ammo for it. Has anyone got any experience with these calibers and what are the pros and cons of each caliber? 

[Ken ONeill]

No problems with the .500 WE case. It works fine. A .500 WE is a factory original gun, a benefit in my mind, but that's my opinion. Similar performance from both the JRH and WE. The .50 AE cylinder can't be converted to .500 WE or .500 JRH; both require a new cylinder if FA does the WE ( but then you DO end up with a convertible cylinder gun!), or a rechambered smaller caliber cylinder if Jack does the JRH. I picked the WE, and that's what I recommend, but in any event, buy one. Or both.

[MS Hitman]

This sounds like a wonderful story for the fall issue of Guns & Ammo; just in time for hunting season. 

Truth of the matter is, that neither you nor any game animal you shoot will be able to tell the difference between the two calibers. 

[Dusty Miller]

Naw Hitman, I think G&A should stick with what they know and run another story comparing the 9MM and the 45ACP!!

[HHI 812]

I think Ken has a lot of experience shooting the .50's in the FA, and his articles in Sixgunner proves him out. Shot Jack's BFR in 500 JRH in February, that BFR actually made, and the gun was pretty tight!. Just got my BFR this past Friday from Jack. I sent him a 454 BFR I found for a great price locally, and had him convert it to his 500 JRH. He put a 4" octagon barrel for me, and rounded the grip some. I originally wanted a bisley grip, but he could not locate any? The modified grip seems to handle the loads, and I'll play with it. I'm spoiled with carbide dies, so went with 500 JRH. I like the quality of the FA(have had several), and almost got a 500WE, but just couldn't get a local shop, to drop the price on a 50AE he had for a long time in his shop. Would have probably had Jack do a 500 JRH cylinder too, if I got that FA? I think the FA will take a lot more pressure, and looking at FA data, they are really getting some great ballistics, with their slightly shorter case, compared to the 1.4" length JRH. Jack said he could probably load the JRH just as hot, but said he didn't need to. As I get older, I'm not pushing my recoil limits like I use to in my earlier days. Have read of too many folks really hurting themselves. And as Jack told me, they have been dropping bison with the Buffalo Bore 440 @ 950 fps load, with great results. Load is so comfortable and easy to shoot, and puts enjoyment back into my shooting sessions, where in my earlier days, after shooting  a bunch of hot loads, soon dreaded shooting the next shot. For me, I like cranking my ammo out quick in my Dillon with my carbide dies. But if I did find a cheap FA 50AE??? As been said, both cartridges are pretty much the same, but the 500 WE is a FA chambering. But then again, Jack originally designed the 500 JRH to fit the FA platform? Plus a couple of my buddies like to shoot my 500 JRH ammo in their 500 S&W's.

[MS Hitman]

Dennis,

There is no need to beat yourself to death.  At the Linebaugh seminar in Jackson this year, I shot a revolver chambered in .50 Alaskan (525 grain bullet @ 1570 fps) for 50" of penetration  in wet newsprint.  Shot the same bullet out of a .500 Linebaugh at 500 fps slower and got the same depth of penetration.  You know which load was the more pleasant to shoot.