New Handi-rifle in .500 S&W

[Boomer68]

Just bought one and have not yet taken possession but thought I would ask for some load suggestions. This is my second handi-rifle. My first one was over 10yrs ago and a .45/70

I don't have any casting equipment yet, so bullets would need to be bought. Also, should I even bother mounting a scope?

Thanks!
Ian

[manatee1947]

As for a scope, if you do, use a shotgun scope as they can stand the recoil. I have not for 2 reasons- one- the fiber optics are the best sights I have seen in years, I can actually see them if the light is dim. two- I find that I will be consistently using  it at under 100 yards. I actually have shot a better group @ 50 yards (1.5 inches) with the irons than I can with a 22lr, Ammo is ungodly high. I immediately bought a set of Lee 440gr molds and the reloading dies etc. My loads are costing me about 10 cents per shot, plus my time. Turns out my best load is 14 gr of unique, for about 1100 fps, plenty for everything except bears. Good luck with your gun.

[phatgemi]

As for a scope, if you do, use a shotgun scope as they can stand the recoil. I have not for 2 reasons- one- the fiber optics are the best sights I have seen in years, I can actually see them if the light is dim. two- I find that I will be consistently using  it at under 100 yards. I actually have shot a better group @ 50 yards (1.5 inches) with the irons than I can with a 22lr, Ammo is ungodly high. I immediately bought a set of Lee 440gr molds and the reloading dies etc. My loads are costing me about 10 cents per shot, plus my time. Turns out my best load is 14 gr of unique, for about 1100 fps, plenty for everything except bears. Good luck with your gun.

Are your rear sights plastic. Mine were and lasted about 10 minutes. At range and they fell off......El Cheapo on the sights. They did look good though. I run a 4x mini mag scope and so far it is holding up. If you don't cast, missouri bullet co makes nice 500 cast bullets. Very economical and with a load of Trailboss make a nice shooting load. Probably similar or even lighter than your 440 gr loads.

[gcrank1]

If I had brass, primers, powder and a mould and wheel weights I dont think I would even need dies at first (if at all). With mid loads you wont be expanding the cases hard into the chamber walls and if they extract nice just reload with a bullet dia. that fits the neck snuggish (probably as cast and Lee Liquid ALOX or pan lubed) and go. Its about the way a lot was loaded on the frontier.
You dont want to reduce that case neck dia. too much anyway for lead, and a lot of factory dies do just that.

[manatee1947]

Yup, they are plastic, but then I have not and will not be shooting any heavy , planet wrecker loads. I have had no trouble as of yet. If they go south I will be purchasing one of those ghost ring peeps for it.

[Boomer68]

Thanks for the replies. I hope to get back into casting soon and will probably pick up the Lee mould. The rifle will most likely be used within 100yds, so maybe a peep sight might work better. I wanted the rifle for backup while out in the bush just in case a bear shows up

For the 440gr Lee, what would be a good starting load? Any good powders to start with?

Thanks
Ian

[cwlongshot]

For lite loads TRAIL BOSS is working well.

For med lite thru fairly heavy I very much like XMP5744.

For heavyweights Lil gun, 296 and H110 also work very well.

I found that for the heavy loads a heavier latch spring is beneficial.

CW

[Boomer68]

For lite loads TRAIL BOSS is working well.

For med lite thru fairly heavy I very much like XMP5744.

For heavyweights Lil gun, 296 and H110 also work very well.

I found that for the heavy loads a heavier latch spring is beneficial.

CW

Many thanks for the suggestions CW!
I will start light and work up slowly

Ian

[jason045]

I have had excellent luck with the 610 gr ranger rick t-rex thumpers over 30.0 grains of lil gun.  This will give you a little over 1400 fps with a 16" barrel and probly around 1500 with the 22".  The groups have been outstanding averaging less than .75 moa at 100yds.  My best was .189" for three shots.  I suspect the gun could maybe even do a little better but Im limited by the 2.5x scout scope.  It pretty much blacks out my peel and stick target dots.  Every gun is different though.  Some members had great luck with the 440 cast performance but the best I could get out of them was about 3.5-4"

[Darreld Walton]

I had an older steel tube Weaver K2.5 on mine, and now have a steel tube K4 sitting on it, as I needed the 2.5 for an M1903A4 sniper rifle match.
Can't seem to hurt the things, and they're inexpensive.
As for cast bullets, I've been shooting the Rimrock Bullets 500 gr. flat nose in mine, and they do pretty well.  Flat rate postal shipping makes it reasonable.

[phatgemi]

For reloads, I use the 400 gr cast bullet from Missour Bullet Company. Very reasonable for a box of 200. Works well over Trail Boss for a nice gentle load. Would probably be good medicine for a small bear and/or deer.  You sure can load the 500 for a whole lot less than factory. Good luck.