Author Topic: S&W 500 magnum. Need hotter loads. (Read 1887 times)

Questor · « **on:** February 18, 2004, 08:12:14 AM »

Now that the 500 magnum is here, we need to start developing something with more power. Any ideas? Should we go with weight or velocity? I.e., a 1600 grain bullet at 1600 fps, or same weight, more velocity, like a 400 grain bullet at 4000fps?

I read with interest Brian Pierce's recent article on recoil in which he relates how an extended shooting session with the 500 temporarily crippled his hand.

What we need is something that will do instantaneous and permanent damage to anyone who fires it. For example, crushing all the bones of the hand and wrist, forearm, upper arm, and shoulder-- with a little retinal detachment thrown in for good measure. I think we'll be happy then.

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2004, 11:48:38 AM »

I doubt it Rudy. Some folks seem to never end the quest for more power. Seems to be it might be better to just learn to be better hunters and shooters. After all once upon a time the Indians did quite well using self made bows and arrows and then along came the white man with those super powerful muzzle loading flint locks tossing round balls and just wiped out all the game.

Now the game has morphed into super critters and anything less than a super duper short fat or long fat magnum round will just bounce off the hides. Sure is a good thing no one still wants to hunt with bow and arrow or muzzle loading flint lock with round balls anymore or they'd never kill anything. Or would they?

?

GB

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2004, 12:28:10 PM »

I'm trying to find a four shot revolver that shoots 10 gauge magnum slug loads. This will work nicely with my .460 Weatherby derringer.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2004, 12:40:52 PM »

Questor: If you personally do not like the 500 MAG, don't knock it. There are a lot of use that do like it. I personally do not get so upset that I have to criticize what people like to shoot and neither should you. As far a paralyzing your hand, I have never came close to that. If you don't like the 500MAG that's OK, just let us enjoy it. To much negativity :eek:
Thanks

Questor · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2004, 02:41:45 PM »

Redhawk, I'm a man, not a woman. You can interpret what I say literally. I never said anything about not liking it. I'm asking what the next step in power is. What do you think? Will it be velocity, bullet weight, or perhaps bullet diameter. Come to think about it, somebody may find it worthwhile to go through the hoops of getting the larger diameter approved. .600 Nitro-Ruger anyone?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2004, 04:31:25 PM »

I am sure it will keep going. We are never satisfied. It will come to the point where no one will be able to shoot it, but just got to have it. That's the nature of the beast. :wink:

willis5 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2004, 06:40:18 AM »

when the recoil becomes too much, we will find a way to tame it... wrist straps and support braces around our forearms or something

Questor · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2004, 08:47:54 AM »

And all I can do is wonder why. Except for elephant hunting, where do we need the extra penetration? Does, for example, the 500 magnum kill hogs faster than a 480 Ruger, 454 Casull, or 44 magnum?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2004, 09:06:29 AM »

Questor, I bought mine to hunt TREX.

Just kidding:) I got mine for back up for a bear hunt. I don't want to make the local new paper. :eek: But I would use it for other game. Bullet choice would be taken into consideration. But it is no different from using a 50 Cal Muzzleloader. IMHO

Questor · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2004, 09:50:38 AM »

It ought to be really popular for a bear backup. I read that they're coming out with a shorter barrelled model that sounds like it's built for that purpose. I'd like to find some credible information on relative killing effectiveness on hogs with the various big bores. I've only used a 44, and some claim that a 454 kills them faster. The 480 Ruger is the one that I find most attractive. The 500 is physically too large for my tastes (the revolver, that is). Maybe I'll warm up to it someday.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2004, 12:08:10 PM »

No no, I like my Uncles idea better: a 50 BMG Revolver. Perhaps a Ruger Stupenda Redhawk :-D !
Brian M

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2004, 05:01:16 AM »

Graybeard
Very Well Said!

Krazyhorse · « **Reply #12 on:** February 27, 2004, 04:59:17 AM »

Quote from: Questor

I'm trying to find a four shot revolver that shoots 10 gauge magnum slug loads. This will work nicely with my .460 Weatherby derringer.

I would pay good money to see you fire those two guns off, especially if the 10 gauge is a "snubbie"! :lol: I'll even take you to the emergency room when you're done. :wink:

I hear the same comments about the .500 now as I did several years ago about the .454. I shoot a .454 and it does have " Very Healthy" recoil but so far it hasn't broken any bones. :lol:

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #13 on:** February 27, 2004, 09:48:47 AM »

dont have a smith but do have a .500 line and a .475 and enjoy shooting them yes even with full power loads. Dont beleive everything the gun writers tell you there trying to make for interesting reading. Yes they kick no they wont hurt you (if you have even a little common sence) I have many times sat down in one sitting and shot over 300 full power loads and guess what never once did i have to go to the hospital! If we stopped when guns were enough to kill something we would still be in the black powder age. Personally i dont care for the smith not because its to powerful but because its to big. Yes there are practical uses for it. I couldnt imagine a better whitetail bear pig load then a .50 cal 400 grain bullet at 1000 fps. From experience i can say that there cleaner killers then the 300 grain .44s and .45s at 1300fps and they dont recoil any heavier and beleive me someday i will go on a hunt where full power loads are needed. Ive heard it all about the macho guys that buy the .500smiths to impress there friends but beleive me very few of them keep the gun for more then a year. Ive actually seen more macho idiots showing off there .454s then any other caliber. Nothing gives me more joy then to be at the range when someone takes one out and usually unboxes some factory ammo. Cause ive yet to see one of them shoot it well. Some people have different recoil tolerances and theres nothing wrong with that. I was blessed with a good coach when i started and he got me over the fear of recoil as a matter of fact my girlfreind has shot both of my linebaughs with full power loads and though i cant say she liked it she aslo didnt go to the hospital. I love shooting handguns ALL HANDGUNS and personally im glad smith stepped up and made a true big bore for the people who cant afford customs.

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 27, 2004, 11:18:31 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard

Now the game has morphed into super critters and anything less than a super duper short fat or long fat magnum round will just bounce off the hides. Sure is a good thing no one still wants to hunt with bow and arrow or muzzle loading flint lock with round balls anymore or they'd never kill anything. Or would they??

GB

AMEN!!! My thoughts exactly! You my friend just earned a great deal of my respect. I've been saying this for quite some time now. Funny how all those deer figured out ways to toughen up so the weak little .30-30 isn't suitavle for them anymore.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 27, 2004, 12:40:44 PM »

I think a lot of you miss the whole picture. :shock: I don't think animals have got super strength.

I just choose to use more power. :-D I don't think less of any off you for using what works for you.

In my opinion you all put yourselves on some kind of pedestal. :roll: I hunt with a bow, and Muzzleloader and take plenty of deer.

But if I choose to use a large MAGNUM gun I should be able to without all the up turning of noses from fellow shooters. :evil: I chose big bore guns because I can. If you have to ask why, you just would not understand

TopGun · « **Reply #16 on:** February 27, 2004, 02:40:54 PM »

I'm with Redhawk on this one. :cry: Just read the posts here on GBO and see how many guys magnumize their .45 long colts, or try to extend thier .41's. We as handgunners have a affliction to this. Always in a quest for more. :? I have many 6mm and 7mm's and I also have have a 30-378, but I still hunt with my 45-70 and .444. I like them big heavy slugs. My S&W 500 will be my sole 'partner' on my Elk hunt this year. I think it will be perfect for stalking the timber. It doesn't hurt. Gosh with warne base and rigs and Leupold, loaded it weighs 5 tons! I don't find teh recoil objectionable. :wink: I shoot 50-60 rounds every session from 25 to 125 yards. I feel confident the 440 LSWGC over 38gr of H110 will kill anything in it's path. T-Rex, call 9-1-1, There's a dead dinosaur in the fiield! :cry: I used to theink teh 44 maggie and 300 gr is awesome.

It still is, but wow, the 500 is something to behold. BTW--this will be my 5th Elk with a hand-gun :shock: : 35 rem, 375JDJ, .444 Marlin, 375JDJ!! But it will be the first with a revolver. Guess which didn't die right away? The Elk shot with the 300 win mag. I finished that one with my Ruger 4 5/8" BH and HOT 250's. Just because I could!!

I love this site!!!!! Keep it up GBO!

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #17 on:** March 03, 2004, 09:17:52 PM »

My .357 Ruger GP 100 will drop anything I'd care to shoot at. I don't need to shoot something that hurts on both ends. I'm a big guy and I've shot many large bore weapons Pistol and rifle, if you think that hand cannon don't hurt when you lite one off...... your wrong. If you want one buy one but there is absolutly no practical NEED (not use or want) for them.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 04, 2004, 03:53:42 AM »

Quote from: Badnews Bob

My .357 Ruger GP 100 will drop anything I'd care to shoot at. I don't need to shoot something that hurts on both ends. I'm a big guy and I've shot many large bore weapons Pistol and rifle, if you think that hand cannon don't hurt when you lite one off...... your wrong. If you want one buy one but there is absolutly no practical NEED (not use or want) for them.

Maybe you do not see a practical use for one, but there are hundreds of thousands of us that do. I am glad your little guns suits you fine, but some of us like big guns and can handle the heavy recoil. I have grow to despise critics anymore. I have never in my 30 years of shooting knocked any gun people choose to shoot, but you guys that consistently criticize us shooter that choose big bore gun are just plan -------, I can't think of a nice way to put it, so I will let you fell it in. That is why the gun owners are so divided on gun issues, we can't even support one another without criticizing someone for there choice. Guns are guns from .17 to 50BMG. Don't pick and choose what you think should be acceptable and not acceptable. You sound just like the antigun and law makers deciding which guns should stay and which should go. This is my opinion and if you take offense to it you should. :evil:

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #19 on:** March 04, 2004, 08:29:54 AM »

Maybe you should reread my post. I never critisized your use or want of one. I said it has no pratical purpose and it dose not. i want a .50 BMG rifle it dosn.t have any practical purpose eigther, But I want one. I own eight .22s of various types they get shot alot, They are practical. I also never said I couldn't handle the recoil, I just don't want to, (You maybe should look a little closer at what that recoil is doing. People are have wrist and elbow problems from shooting them. Facts)

You seemed to want to offend me in your post Redhawk, sorry it didn't work this is a open forum for disscusion and opinions I use it as such thats all. No offense taken none intentionally implied.

The only note that could have struck a nerve if I was as thin skinned as you seem to be would be the comparrison to an anti.
I am an avid gun owner and shooter, Life member of the NRA#137865592, And retired US NAVY I've supported and fought for your rights to own that pistol my whole life, You still have it don't you?

XP1900 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 04, 2004, 08:38:31 AM »

i'm with redhawk on this. we don't need to tell others what gun to shoot.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 04, 2004, 09:56:55 AM »

Badnews Bob, I am also a Life Member of the NRA, I have also served, but in the United States Air Force. I reread your post and it still sounds the same to me. Your quote (practical NEED) is your opinion but in my opinion (practical NEED) is my decision. The speed limit is 65MPH, why are there car that can go 120MPH. It is just because we can. If everyone thinks like you do, then there would only be 4 or 5 different rounds available. I want to be able to make the choice what I want.(Without being criticized.) You are absolutely right about this being an open forum and opinions are greatly welcome, but expect us to disagree with you when we think differently. My whole point is what works for you is good, but what works for me should be up to me.

Here is why I get so uptight when I see such posts. Look at all the ranges that don't want 50BMG or big bore guns to be shot on there range. It is always a select few that decide they are not practical and therefor should not be allowed.

__________________________________________________________
Remember, my opinion is as irrelevant as yours.....

Don Dick · « **Reply #22 on:** March 08, 2004, 04:21:51 PM »

Hey Bad New Bob, I enlisted in the army in 1967 and after my cousin got KIA I volunteered to go to Vietnam. When I got there I liked it so well I extended my tour. I guess that proves I am dumb enough to have purchased a S&W 500. Look at it this way, I am consistent.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 09, 2004, 02:03:18 AM »

Quote from: Don Dick

Hey Bad New Bob, I enlisted in the army in 1967 and after my cousin got KIA I volunteered to go to Vietnam. When I got there I liked it so well I extended my tour. I guess that proves I am dumb enough to have purchased a S&W 500. Look at it this way, I am consistent.

I don't know if it is good or bad.

But I don't think dumb is the word I would choose. Some may say we are kind of crazy.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #24 on:** March 09, 2004, 07:52:36 AM »

I know I'm more than a little crazy, I enlisted in79 and have seen entirely too much of the persian gulf. Saw way to many of my friends and shipmates die to far from home also.

But life gose on, I want a .50 cal but not one of those hand cannons, make mine a .50 BMG rifle. :shock:

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 09, 2004, 08:04:08 AM »

Quote from: Badnews Bob

I know I'm more than a little crazy, I enlisted in79 and have seen entirely too much of the persian gulf. Saw way to many of my friends and shipmates die to far from home also. But life gose on, I want a .50 cal but not one of those hand cannons, make mine a .50 BMG rifle. :shock:

I had 2 50BMG rifles. A Hesse 50BMG and a Ferret 50BMG. The Hess had a 30 inch barrel and the Ferret had a 18 inch barrel. Fun to shoot and reload. But I did not have a range over 200 yards to shoot it at and the fun factor wore off quick. I wish I had a place to of shot longer ranges. I sold both of my 50BMG's off and got into Black powder cartridge shooting. A lot more fun and saves the shoulder.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #26 on:** March 10, 2004, 09:12:37 PM »

The grass is always greener aint it, I think if I had one of each I would want to invent something else just to satisfy the itch to try something else.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 11, 2004, 04:49:16 AM »

I keep telling myself, I am done buying guns. My safe is over packed and I just keep seeing the new stuff coming out and just have to have it. But anymore I get rid of something to replace it with something new. I keep thinking bigger is better. But all in all, it is just fun to shoot something new.

1911crazy · « **Reply #28 on:** March 24, 2004, 06:46:22 AM »

Yup I understand this post were are we headed in power and size?? Well I have a remington in 338win.mag. but i'm looking at an Ultra Mag. With that said the only way that handguns can go now is to 45/90 or 45/120 or maybe 50/90?? Maybe BPR will make it. Will we buy it sure we will but most will park it just to say they have one right? There are some who thought the 44magnum was bad to handle too. Heck I handle it with one hand and hit what I ainm at too even out to 50 to 100yds. I'm not knocking anyone here stay with the gun you like to shoot. But remember the 357mag. and 44mag. has killed everything in North America so anything else bigger is an advantage to us. BigBill

I can remember being caught about 15ft away from a bear in the 5' high grass and i couldn't see it nor it knew i was there and thinking my '06 just wasn't big enough. Which brings to mind when the guy on the movie Jaws says we need a bigger boat after seeing the size of the shark. We have to carry what we can shoot and feel safe with too. With the mountainlions making a comeback I can picture myself in a one on one with one and the rifle won't do if its on you but a small barreled magnum sure would.

RANGER RICK · « **Reply #29 on:** March 25, 2004, 11:41:45 AM »

BigBill

To late I have already seen a custom 45-90 and 50-90 but not a 45-3.25 . I have a friend that has seen a 60 cal revolver over in Austria

, it is a bruiser .. :shock:

RR