500 handi questions

[max1138]

found a handi in 500 smith for cheap. typical story, too much gun for someone and he swapped it in cheap, the shop wants 150 to get his money out of it.

Im considering it just to have another frame and the 500 might be fun to play with.
which rings/mounts/scopes hold up to 500 mag recoil levels.
are scout/er scopes the way to go with these bruisers?
the previous owner reports the front sight broke off on the first shot if thats any indication.

[quickdtoo]

The front sight is plastic, so that's no surprise, it was probably already broken. The factory scope rail properly mounted(see FAQs) will work fine with any practical scope mounted on it, I have almost 200 rounds of full power loads thru mine with a Nikon 2-7x32 Shotgun scope mounted in Leupold PRWs, 350g XTPs, 385gr Core-lokts, 440gr Cast Performance and 700gr Ranger Ricks, still works fine.   Don't expect it to be fun to shoot with factory loads, but handloads to your acceptable recoil level are very tolerable, specially with a nice recoil pad like a Limbsaver.

Tim

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_1_53/ai_n16866654/

http://www.shootingtimes.com/longgun_reviews/ST_hr500sandwmag/

[gcrank1]

Get it before somebody else does!!!
Figure the rest out later........

[cwlongshot]

DEFINITELY BUY IT!!! 

Even if you don't end up liking it, you could sell off the parts and recoup your $$ and a couple more for your troubles.

CW

[phatgemi]

I have a Burris mini-mag 4 power on mine. It seems to be holding up quite well so far........Factory rail mount.

[max1138]

ok, so it is worth doing then.
Ill drop by sometime this week and grab it.
altho im not at all sure about the 440 or 700 grain loads Tim mentioned, we are all out of tyrannosaur's to shoot here in Mississippi, just deer and hogs.
im thinking a reduced load will whack a 200lb deer or a 300lb hog very nicely  and my shoulder may survive to shoot again.
Im down to one good shoulder and am kinda picky about what i subject it to.

[cwlongshot]

I forgot about the scope mount part of your question...

I also have a 500 and mine is mounted with a factory ultra base, Leupold PRW rings and a Leupold 2x7x33 VXII scope. ZERO mount or scope problems here. The 500 does have some sharp recoil with some loads. I suspect this is the root problem many have accuracy problems. But good, quality rings, properly mounted, like Burris ZEE, Warne MAXIMA, and Leupold PRW will not let you down. For a scope, I prefer Leupold, but many others will be just fine with the 500. Maybe step up from the cheapest offerings for good measure. 

CW

[gcrank1]

I dont think I would spend the money on factory loads; Id shoot acouple and say 'enough of that' and the rest would sit. Plan on putting that money into reloading to the performance level you are comfortable with and you'll be happy.

[phatgemi]

Factory ammo prices will kill you on the 500. Reloading is the way to go. If you want full power loads perhaps try the 350 grain xtps over H110. For reduced loads I have Missouri bullet company 400 grain cast over 12 grains of trail boss. I real nice lite load. Should also have plenty for deer size game.......Have fun.

[cwlongshot]

Yes the cost of ammo certainly is a prohibitive factor, sorry for not mentioning it sooner.

 I don't think about it, was I reload for it. Mine also shoots lead much better then jacketed so I cast my own or use the Ranger Rick 440's.

 10g of TrailBoss and a 440g lead slug is a powder puff load!! I also like 5744 powder and the same 440g FPGC bullet.

CW

[max1138]

well, I bought the 500,
 shot the 500,
 after my ears quit ringing and the blurred vision cleared up the 500 is going to a happier home with my godson,
 hes 17 and weighs 235 and wants a 500 for Christmas. gotta love redneck kids, we raised that one right
  his dad bought it for what I had in it  and I threw in the scope and rings to go with it along with the other box of magtechs.
should be one suprised kid on christmas morning.
  I told his dad im not going to be held responsible for his kid walking sideways with one shoulder lower than the other one, he said "dont worry he already loads his own for my 45-70 and I wont shoot his loads cause they kick too hard, he will be fine."
apparently it doesnt bother him, good for him.
 im recoil sensitive and will find a nice 30-30 or 308 barrel and be happy.

[gcrank1]

At the end of a long hard day I thank you for the chuckle!

[walkingwolf]

I don't find the recoil that bad. The .500 is fun to shoot.

[cwlongshot]

I don't find the recoil that bad. The .500 is fun to shoot.

 I agree with this statement.
 As someone here once said, "Recoil is in the shoulder of the beholder". It's a personal thing. Lets face it, it doesn't really hurt, its just not "comfortable" with some calibers. Its what we are willing to put up with for the hobby we like.
 
 Back 8 years ago, when I cracked the vertebrae in my back, I couldn't shoot anything with any recoil!! Last week we shot up a couple boxes of stiff 45-70 loads, almost a hundred 454 rifle loads and about half as many 500 S&W!! Not I DO HAVE limb-saver pads on all three of these calibers. 

CW

[AtlLaw]

I also like 5744 powder and the same 440g FPGC bullet.

Hey Brie, would you pm me that load?  I gotta bunch of 5744 and that 440 FPGC looks like it would make a good plinkin bullet!