Anyone shooting a 500 S&W?

[Tim50]

I have always liked this cartridge in the Katahdin setup. Who out there shoots this barrel? I have heard some horror stories of the recoil. Just wondering what others have expierenced. I would be shooting factory ammo to start with. Thanks for any input.....

[kynardsj]

I just put this same answer on another post in this forum. I also own the 20 inch stainless Katahdin Pro hunter. Mine loves 350 gr JHP's over 35 gr of Lilgun. Very accurate and while I wouldn't want to spend the afternoon going thru a hundred rounds plinking cans with it, the recoil is very manageable as it's not a max load. No problem sighting it in and don't even think about it when I shoot a deer. In truth, I've been kicked much harder by lesser calibers in a different style rifle. Factory loads may be a bit stout according to what weight bullet and who makes them. Good luck and good shooting with yours.

[jy951]

Factory ammo is going to send you to the poor house real quick.  Just trying to find a load the barrel likes could cost you several hundred.   I'd recommend buying some basic reloading equipment if you plan on keeping the barrel shooting it much.


As far as recoil, the 350 grain loads aren't to bad.  I've shot 500 gr loads, but my barrel had a brake on it.  Still not too bad.

[doc_stihl]

I shoot a 440 gr cast over unique as a plinking load and they're enjoyable. I shoot out of a 15" pistol barrel and a 26" rifle barrel. 
 
Now the 700 gr over lil'gun. Those are a serious handful.

[Muddyboots]

.500 S&W in 26" MGM barrel; shoots lights out with either Hornady 300 gr FTX or Barnes XPB 325 gr. over 40.0 gr. Lil Gun. Velocity around 2000 for both.  Pro Hunter contour for barrel. I would recommend MGM in heartbeat for this barrel. Couldn't be more pleased with performance. Use in Indiana shotgun zones. Here is buck from this year with it. 50 yd shot, went all of 50 yds before crashing. Recoil is manageable with 26" barrel and really balances out nice with the longer barrel. Keeps the barrel jump down too.
Muddy