I agree with the above comments. A man wants what he wants, though, so if a 5" barrel is it...have at it. The last time I looked, the up-charge was about $78. Personally, I prefer 6" and the standard butt configuration. The round butt doesn't give me the support I want in my palm. We all have our preferences.
I'm not aware of a commonly used .475 bullet that won't work in the .475 FA cylinder. With regard to the .500WE, the 350 and 400 gr. Sierras will work, but even when seated in the top of the cannelure, are uncomfortably close to the front of the cylinder for me. I can highly recommend the 350 XTP in this cartridge. I've used it a lot. It's extremely accurate and a good killer. CPBC makes a number of bullets that will work well, from 370 ( my favorite from this maker) to 440 gr. Others make some super heavy .500 bullets for the .500 S&W ( 500-750 gr.) that I suspect will not work.
With regard to the alternate cylinders, my .500 WE was originally a .50 AE which was retrofitted with the additional cylinder and sent to me as one of the first two outside the factory for testing. Bob Baker may have changed his mind on this, but when the .500 WE was introduced, FA announced that the .50 AE would no longer be available, even as an alternate cylinder, unless there was sufficient customer demand" in the future". If that remains their position, then your only way to a convertible would be to find a .50 AE and have it retrofitted, with whatever other options you want. This could be an expensive proposition, depending upon your
" used gun" purchase price. Personally, I would get only the .500 WE cylinder, because it can be down loaded to .50 AE specs and lighter. I feel the same about a .480 cylinder, particularly since Ruger has apparently dropped the chambering, but that's just me.
As Rob suggests, both the .475 and .500 WE can do whatever needs done. I've used the .475 more, and taken more big game with it, so it is probably my sentimental favorite. But once again, that's just me. Get one. Then the other.
