500 S&W Katahdin Pro Hunter barrel

[Varmint Hunter]

I'm thinking about buying a 500 S&W Katahdin Pro Hunter barrel (20") for my new Encore rifle. I will most likely use it for Canada/Maine bear hunting.

Does anyone have one of these barrels? How do you like it and how is the blast, recoil, etc?

Any on-game performance that you could share?

[30-06man]

I haven't used one but I want one. Make sure you get the correct forearm for one. The standard forearm will NOT fit.

[BNoz01]

Greetings,

I bought a VV Encore rifle barrel in 500 S&W several years ago.  When I first shot it the recoil was so severe I immediately sent it back for a muzzle brake.  When I shot it with the muzzle brake it was still too severe for me to enjoy at all.  Mind you:  I'm not a complete wuss when it comes to recoil, as I can stand full up 45-70 loads with no muzzle brake.

I first loaded Hornady 350 XTP bullets.  I shot a deer and while the deer immediately went down, the bullet completely fragmented with little penetration.  I suspect the bullet was made for pistol velocities, not rife velocities.  I then switched to a Barnes 275 bullet.  This too was still too much recoil, so I eventually sold off the barrel.

I'd recommend you go for the 460 S&W barrel, because you can download it with 454 Casull and 45 Long Colt rounds.  I think there are now 500 S&W Special loadings out there, but I'd still go with the 460.

Good luck, and have someone take a picture of you firing your first shot with this rifle.

B. Noz.

[Varmint Hunter]

I haven't used one but I want one. Make sure you get the correct forearm for one. The standard forearm will NOT fit.

I just received the 2008 TC catalog and according to them the #7569 forearm is the one they put on the 500 S&W rifle, if bought complete . It is also listed as the same forearm that is used on almost every other ProHunter barrel. Oddly enough, they list a different forearm for the Katahdin barrel in 45-70. Not sure why that is. 

Am I missing something?

[Varmint Hunter]

After reviewing several sources for 500 S&W reloading data I noticed that some guys are shooting 700gr bullets from this cartridge. Recoil must be punishing. I'm not into self abuse so I was considering using the lighter Barnes XPB bullets which have a good reputation in the 500 and don't come apart. Were you shooting maximum loads with the Barnes 275gr bullets? I'm also wondering why heavy loads from the 45-70 would be so much less punishing than the 500 S&W with similar weight bullets?

How long was your VV barrel?
 

Greetings,

I bought a VV Encore rifle barrel in 500 S&W several years ago.  When I first shot it the recoil was so severe I immediately sent it back for a muzzle brake.  When I shot it with the muzzle brake it was still too severe for me to enjoy at all.  Mind you:  I'm not a complete wuss when it comes to recoil, as I can stand full up 45-70 loads with no muzzle brake.

I first loaded Hornady 350 XTP bullets.  I shot a deer and while the deer immediately went down, the bullet completely fragmented with little penetration.  I suspect the bullet was made for pistol velocities, not rife velocities.  I then switched to a Barnes 275 bullet.  This too was still too much recoil, so I eventually sold off the barrel.

I'd recommend you go for the 460 S&W barrel, because you can download it with 454 Casull and 45 Long Colt rounds.  I think there are now 500 S&W Special loadings out there, but I'd still go with the 460.

Good luck, and have someone take a picture of you firing your first shot with this rifle.

B. Noz.

[encore58]

I haven't used one but I want one. Make sure you get the correct forearm for one. The standard forearm will NOT fit.

I just received the 2008 TC catalog and according to them the #7569 forearm is the one they put on the 500 S&W rifle, if bought complete . It is also listed as the same forearm that is used on almost every other ProHunter barrel. Oddly enough, they list a different forearm for the Katahdin barrel in 45-70. Not sure why that is. 

Am I missing something?

I noticed the same thing a month ago when I was looking at the catalog. I owned a .460 Katahdin carbine and was not impressed with it's accuracy. Hopefully, you'll have better luck than I.

[30-06man]

That is very strange. I have always heard don't use the Standard forarm. I guess thats not true for the 500s&w