Author Topic: S&W 500 Info Please! (Read 918 times)

The ROWD · « **on:** July 01, 2007, 02:36:27 PM »

I just ordered my first Handi in 500 S&W b/c of this site. I would like to get any information that you guys might have on this caliber in the Handi. For example, max accurate distance, recoil, any hunting stories, and pics would be nice. I ordered through SportsSouth so it should be here this week. Thanks in advance!

eskimo36 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2007, 03:01:14 PM »

In my 500 S&W I shoot the most loads with 10 grains of unique under 440 grain lead GC bullet. That load is just plain fun. My medium load uses 15 grains of Titegroup under the same bullet and my "elephants in the yard" load load uses 40 grains of H110. The bullet I use in all my loads is a very hard cast gas checked bullet with a 90% meplat from Ranger Rick in Alaska. http://www.lsstuff.com/ranger-rick/

cbourbeau32 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2007, 03:48:31 PM »

I haven't got a chance to really shoot for accuracy with this load yet but if you just want a "plinking" load you might want to consider picking up some Trailboss powder. 10 grains of Trailboss has about the equivalent recoil and noise as a 410 shotgun. Hunting loads would definitely have to be a different powder but for fun loads the trailboss is good. I haven't tried to develop a hunting load yet. I probably will as deer season approaches. Have fun. Charlie

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2007, 04:12:17 PM »

Rowdy,

John Taffin wrote an article on the 500 Handi, I have it in .pdf format, if you want it, let me know, I can email it to ya, it's about 400kb in size.

And welcome to GBO!!

Tim

xhare · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2007, 03:06:21 AM »

I have a 500, killed a deer with it this past season. For hunting the recoil is not that bad. For sighting in, practice, and just having fun at the range, standard loads can be downright brutal. The Handi is a light rifle and full power loads from the 500 have a lot of power. Take something to help soak up the recoil if you intend to shoot full power loads. A folded towel between the stock and shoulder is simple and goes a long way towards helping. But like the others have stated, you can create some downright powderpuff loads that can make this gun a lot of fun.

The ROWD · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2007, 04:05:06 AM »

Thanks quickdtoo, but I already have that article. Very good article...
What scope bases/mounts do you guys recommend?

cwlongshot · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2007, 04:36:45 AM »

I always recommend the same thing.... LEUPOLD scope with Leopold rings in lo. Mounted on a factory ultra base.

Here is the rings:

Here is a Leupold VXII 2X7 mounted in Leupold rings on my 500 when I first got it.

Its mounted about as lo as you can mount a scope on a handi. (With out altering the gun) Excellent optics and perfect eye relief to fit the handis high hammer.
Although its a good scope, the one model scope I do not recommend is the Bushnell Trophy. Because the controls are so large it requires the use of tall mounts, I hate tall mounts. I also hate shoot thru rings that allow use of irons with your scope. Some people like them, and they do work. You just will not find any on my firearms.

Many other combos that will work, this is just my favorite.

CW

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2007, 06:47:32 AM »

Quote from: The ROWD on July 02, 2007, 04:05:06 AM

Thanks quickdtoo, but I already have that article. Very good article...
What scope bases/mounts do you guys recommend?

I kinda thought you may already have it, but didn't remember for sure.

I like Burris Signature Zee rings, mediums work with most scopes, depends on the ocular bell/power rings size, I have a bunch mounted in the mediums, but some need highs which aren't real high compared to a lot of other high rings.

I'm also quick to take the dremel to the tip of the hammer spur to lower it just a little, it doesn't take much to make a big difference, see the FAQs "low profile hammer mods", then low or extra low rings can be used, unfortunately Burris doesn't make the Sig Zees in low, then I turn to Leupold PRWs or QRWs, I've also used Warne rings, but vertical rings are tough to lap, and I won't mount a scope in unlapped rings, I hate ring marks as much as CW hates high rings, but high rings won't ruin a scope, ring marks can and do damage the scope internally.

Tim

1.5-4.5x32 Bushnell Banner mounted in Sig Zees, hammer bob

Leupold VX1 3-9x40 mounted in medium Sig Zees, factory hammer

3-9x40 Nikon Prostaff mounted in low Warne quick release, hammer bob

Leupold VX1 2-7x32 mounted in medium Burris Sig Zees, factory nickel hammer

Top Bushnell Legend 2-7x32 mounted in Leupold low PRWs, factory hammer
Bottom Weaver V3 1-3x20 mounted in high Sig Zees, factory hammer

Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32 mounted in medium Leupold Rifleman rings, hammer bob

Zachary · « **Reply #8 on:** July 02, 2007, 07:23:37 AM »

Tim, from the looks of it, I'm curious how you pull back the hammer when there is virtually no clearance between the hammer and the scope.

Zachary

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** July 02, 2007, 07:52:01 AM »

Hammer extension mounted to the right side.

Tim

cwlongshot · « **Reply #10 on:** July 02, 2007, 07:53:18 AM »

Hammer spurs!!

Zachary · « **Reply #11 on:** July 02, 2007, 08:20:56 AM »

Thanks for the close-up. I couldn't quite see it in the first series of photos. Also, somewhere I read "factory" hammer too.

Thanks again.

Zachary

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** July 02, 2007, 08:26:39 AM »

By "factory hammer" I meant unmodified, the hammer extension is factory standard with any scope rail mounted rifle/barrel.

Tim

Zachary · « **Reply #13 on:** July 02, 2007, 10:14:04 AM »

Oh, I see now. Thanks Tim.

Zachary

SwampThing762 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 02, 2007, 02:49:21 PM »

The Williams WGRS receiver sight gives a good sight picture to 100 yrds with the fiberoptic front sight, as well. The Magtech factory loads are not that bad on recoil. I would say about like a 30-06 spfld.

BTW, the article on the 500 Handi-Rifle is also listed on the website www.findarticles.com in its entirety of text complete with the load data.

ST762

cbourbeau32 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 02, 2007, 03:16:48 PM »

Tim I would like to have a copy of the Taffin article if you don't mind. Thanks, Charlie

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** July 02, 2007, 03:24:38 PM »

On the way, Charlie!!

Buckeye · « **Reply #17 on:** July 03, 2007, 02:37:07 AM »

Do you fellars know if anyone has reamed the 500 S&W to 50 Alaskan ?

xhare · « **Reply #18 on:** July 03, 2007, 02:49:15 AM »

Would that work? I think you could do the chamber but I thought the 50 Alaskan used a .510 bullet, not the .500 bullet of the S&W.

SwampThing762 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 03, 2007, 03:13:17 AM »

I think I saw where Wild west Guns already has a lever rifle chambered for 500 SW....the Model 04. Wild West Guns already sells weapons reamed for the 50 Alaskan.
Yes, the 50 AK requires a .510 diameter bullet, and the pressures listed should be safe in a Handirifle. The hodgdon website lists the top pressure of a load for this caliber
35,500 CUP.

ST762

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** July 03, 2007, 05:33:02 AM »

This is another of those much discussed topics that keeps popping up!

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,107565.msg1098312087.html#msg1098312087