Went shooting today & found my next purchase. S&W 460 magnum.

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

I went shooting today with my step father. Put 400 rounds of CCI mini mag through my GSG-5P without any problems at all. The gun performed flawlessly. My cousin showed up at the range and had his usual assortment of nice pieces. Then he pulled out the S&W 460 magnum / 8.5" barrel. That gun is amazing. I went from shooting 40 grain to 400 grain rounds. I would not want to be on the receiving end of that handheld cannon. The recoil was less than I expected, yet you can feel the gun "kick" slightly and definately feel the power in your hands. My cousin let me put about ten rounds through it. Hands down the most badass piece of hardware I have ever shot. I am buying this gun within the next couple of months.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.ph p/cPath/21_39_72/products_id/15070

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krc4IxWUdnA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxq1ssCsGUY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xcv9voxJmDI&feature=related

[bear]

Can you fire the 45LC, 454 Casull, and the 460 though the same gun?

[bondosgto]

Can you fire the 45LC, 454 Casull, and the 460 though the same gun?

yup, and 45 schofield

[Scurvy]

dude, go big or go home. 500 S&W > 460mag

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

dude, go big or go home. 500 S&W > 460mag

A few folks were telling me that 460 has more pressure than the 500. Good point. I might as well buy the 500 magnum.

[City Goat]

First time I went shooting I shot a 500 Magnum, lol

I asked the guy at the range "Any advice on how to hold it?" he replied "Don't break your nose."

lol

[elpuerco]

First time I went shooting I shot a 500 Magnum, lol

I asked the guy at the range "Any advice on how to hold it?" he replied "Don't break your nose."

lol

lollolol

[codyallcorn]

i'm happy with my 44 mag, if i need anything bigger i'll just use something like this guy has

http://www.cnccookbook.com/img/OthersProjects/laht i.jpg

[shrike]

700 nitro express
http://www.haluze.cz/fotky/big/kanon-2.jpg1.980747.jpg

or a 2 bore (note the 700 nitro express shown below on the left for comparisson - the 2 bore uses 500grains of powder and up to a 3000 grain bullet)

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l221/lilwolf_01/ wierd%20guns/600-img-0070-tm.jpg

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/2boremuzzle-tm.jpg

[csurane24]

:jawdrop: wow that is very nice

[bondosgto]

700 nitro express
http://www.haluze.cz/fotky/big/kanon-2.jpg1.980747.jpg

or a 2 bore (note the 700 nitro express shown below for comparisson)

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/600-img-0070.jpg

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/2boremuzzle-tm.jpg

seen the 900 nitro, that was impressive.
i have only seen the four bore, not the two bore

[shrike]

only thing larger in a hunting rifle (ie non military use) was the famed 1.008 calliber vincent bufffalo thumper. I have never seen a picture of this beast. I think they made one and decided "no go"!

[swmn]

Tpr,

Dont't overlook the BFR while you are shopping anyway. If you just have to have DA, then you are looking at the Smith and the 460 is a real nice gun.

If you can consider SA, look over the BFR line from Magnum Research real careful like before you lay out your shekels. Especially the .45-70, mmm, mm.

http://www.magnumresearch.com/BFR.asp

Not to run down the 460. The day I was buying I wanted a 460 with 5" barrel, couldn't find one, got a 4" 500. I don't remember the SAAMI limits on the 460, for the 500 it is I think 60,000 for the pistol, but the primers start leaking up around 45,000 or so. Doan remember if it was cup or other for the units.

EDIT: It's psi, not cup.

The nice thing about the .45-70 from Magnum Research is you can get close to 460/500 energy at around 25,000 whatevers of pressure. Plus you can feed it black powder ;-)

[Quantim0]

The .460 isn't a great cartridge. It runs at extremely high pressures and can be a little dangerous.

If I wanted a big angry revolver something like a .454 Cassull or even .500 S&W would be a better choice. Those aren't running on the ragged edge of safety and will take down almost anything on the planet.

Guns chambered in .454 can also shoot .45 colt and another cartridge for practice.

[WhatsAHemi]

I love my 500, but 5 rounds is about all my wrist can take. They're also not cheap guns to fire. A 500 grain box of 20 is $75.00 if you go with Hornady.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z227/Calixto_02/ P1010001.jpg

From left to right

40 cal, 45 cal, 44 mag, 500 mag

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z227/Calixto_02/ Calsize.jpg

[Nmbr1GMfan]

My dad has the S&W .500 mag, nice piece. The .460 is a little cheaper to shoot given its ability to shoot multi chambers

[swmn]

SAAMI max on the 500 Smith is 60,000psi, not cup. Most commercial ammunition ( per Handloader mag #227, Feb 2004) run about 45,000psi max.

I imagine Chuck Hawks has terrific info on the 460. Yup. Official SAAMI max 65,000 psi (ouch!), etc. http://www.chuckhawks.com/460_SW_Mag.htm

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

Tpr,

Dont't overlook the BFR while you are shopping anyway. If you just have to have DA, then you are looking at the Smith and the 460 is a real nice gun.

If you can consider SA, look over the BFR line from Magnum Research real careful like before you lay out your shekels. Especially the .45-70, mmm, mm.

http://www.magnumresearch.com/BFR.asp

Not to run down the 460. The day I was buying I wanted a 460 with 5" barrel, couldn't find one, got a 4" 500. I don't remember the SAAMI limits on the 460, for the 500 it is I think 60,000 for the pistol, but the primers start leaking up around 45,000 or so. Doan remember if it was cup or other for the units.

EDIT: It's psi, not cup.

The nice thing about the .45-70 from Magnum Research is you can get close to 460/500 energy at around 25,000 whatevers of pressure. Plus you can feed it black powder ;-)

Funny you posted this. I was just looking at the 7.5" barrel .500 magnum model a little while ago on the website. Thanks for the info and suggestion.

[swmn]

Funny you posted this. I was just looking at the 7.5" barrel .500 magnum model a little while ago on the website. Thanks for the info and suggestion.

That is exactly the other pistol I have in .500SW. Still made in USA, but SA only and the Smith trigger has been legendary for a long long time.

The trigger on the BFR can be a cold hearted ex-girlfriend, but this isn't a gun you are going to fire 400 rounds at a time.

I do wish I'd got the 45-70 instead. I guess I'll have to get another one.

[bondosgto]

ive heard that ronnie barrett is working on a super secret 50 bmg pistol

[bear]

ive heard that ronnie barrett is working on a super secret 50 bmg pistol

Eff that!!!!

[Tyopheus]

Looking for a large caliber, go .500 or go home. Obviously you're not looking at this gun to carry, just to blow shit to smithereens with. The .460 is certainly "fun." But just go all out with the .500, it's a "fun" gun to desecrate just about anything with. I thought about buying a .500 awhile back, but the insane ammo price along with the 1K gun price made me happy with my .44 Mag Blackhawk.

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

Looking for a large caliber, go .500 or go home. Obviously you're not looking at this gun to carry, just to blow shit to smithereens with. The .460 is certainly "fun." But just go all out with the .500, it's a "fun" gun to desecrate just about anything with. I thought about buying a .500 awhile back, but the insane ammo price along with the 1K gun price made me happy with my .44 Mag Blackhawk.

Correct. That was fun absolutely destroying the bottles and other targets at the range. I am going with the 500 magnum after a few folks suggested it instead of the 460 magnum.

[WhatsAHemi]

^^ Good man! FYI most ranges won’t even let me shoot my 500 at the pistol range because of the steel plates, but they will let me fire it on the rifle ranges. They also put you on the other end all by yourself because of the concussions you may give everyone else when that thing goes off.

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

^^ Good man! FYI most ranges won’t even let me shoot my 500 at the pistol range because of the steel plates, but they will let me fire it on the rifle ranges. They also put you on the other end all by yourself because of the concussions you may give everyone else when that thing goes off.

You are not kidding about the concussion. My step father and I were about five feet behind my cousin when he shot the 460 and we were amazed at how much you could feel it. After shooting it, I had a huge SEG and knew I was going to buy one. So the SEG will be a tad bigger with the 500.:)

[blevyouknow]

The guys in the 2nd video are funny as hell! Just having fun. I'd shoot with 'em.

[swmn]

Yah, the shock wave is something with the 500. Nobody wants to stand near me at the range :-(

OTOH, reloading this round pays for a reloading press pretty quick. $50 for dies, $70 press, $20 for a digital caliper at Lowes, $5 for primers, $30 for a pound of powder, bullets about $1 each, saving $2-3 per ignition at the range, priceless.

I started out with a big enough bucket of brass to just find 20 all the same length so my crimps would come out uniform. The case mouths do go out of square pretty quick, so another hundred for a case length trimmer and $30 for a tumbler and $10 for some media.

If you can't pay for your reloading gear reloading 500 Smith you never will. I saw a box of Ultramax 325Gr roundnose for $55. a couple days ago. Thats a Speer 325gr bullet, starline brass. Loaded with match grade primers and powder that burns cleaner than Ultramax's, my per round cost on those is about $1.30 assuming my time is free.

So $26 per box, I am coming out ahead $29 per box. Including a box of 50 bullets a couple paragraphs up startup cost to load 500 smith is around $200-300, so break even point is ~around~ ten boxes. In new for me calibers now I buy a few boxes of factory fodder to get a feel for the product and buy empty unprimed factory fresh brass in bulk.

[bondosgto]

Looking for a large caliber, go .500 or go home. Obviously you're not looking at this gun to carry, just to blow shit to smithereens with. The .460 is certainly "fun." But just go all out with the .500, it's a "fun" gun to desecrate just about anything with. I thought about buying a .500 awhile back, but the insane ammo price along with the 1K gun price made me happy with my .44 Mag Blackhawk.

not always true. if you go hunting in africa, and you loose your ammo (happened to a friendof mine) the 500 is IMPOSSIBLE to get, wheres as if you get a 460 you do have choices. if you can find any of those.
btw, if any of you guys do go hunting over there, take some extra ammo, makes great trading stock, for hunting of private land

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

http://www.shootersjax.com/model500-65.aspx

[swmn]

http://www.shootersjax.com/model500-65.aspx


Well, the 6.5" won't be real quick on the draw if you are facing a ticked off, salmon fed brown colored bear with a big shoulder hump. But those aren't real common in Massachusetts.

However, you will be able to break the crankshaft in a Mack truck with one of those.

I have seen the 4" as low as $1049 local, haven't seen a 6.5 before.

[swmn]

PS: Sierra 350 Gr jacketed flat point + Starline brass + Federal match primer + 41.5 grains Hodgdon H110 or 41.5 grains Winchester 296 = ready for Tyranosaurus Rex and easier to control than that Winchester platinum crap.

[Napalm]

You know what gets me is the 500 mag with a 2 inch barrel. WTF, the cylinder is longer than the barrel. and its ported.

I need to try a 500. My last large bore shot was with a 454 casul.

[swmn]

You know what gets me is the 500 mag with a 2 inch barrel. WTF, the cylinder is longer than the barrel. and its ported.

I need to try a 500. My last large bore shot was with a 454 casul.

The two inch is marketed to bush pilots to carry as emergency equipment if they have to land somewhere they didn't mean to land. Effective range is generally estimated to be about point blank or so, but better than nothing in an emergency.

[bear]

I have never shot anything bigger than a 44 mag... are these .460's and 500mags even fun to shoot at the range? Im talking like 20-30 rounds or does it just kill your wrist and hands?

[nzballer05]

.500 is a big round. I would not shoot more than a few cylinders by hand and then use sand bags.

We have tested several .500's at work. We have to put 600 rds through each one. Talk about alot of noise, a big headache at the end of the day, and a moutain of unburned powder lol

[bear]

.500 is a big round. I would not shoot more than a few cylinders by hand and then use sand bags.

We have tested several .500's at work. We have to put 600 rds through each one. Talk about alot of noise, a big headache at the end of the day, and a moutain of unburned powder lol

what do you do?? I wanna get paid to shoot guns!

[Tbonekilla]

PS: Sierra 350 Gr jacketed flat point + Starline brass + Federal match primer + 41.5 grains Hodgdon H110 or 41.5 grains Winchester 296 = ready for Tyranosaurus Rex and easier to control than that Winchester platinum crap.

I roll with Hornady XTP 350gr + 43.0gr H110 + CCI 250 LRM primer = lighting off a quarter stick at arms length lol.

440gr hard cast with gas check + 39.0gr H110 + CCI 250 LRM primer = the best universal 500 round IMO.

[nzballer05]

what do you do?? I wanna get paid to shoot guns!

Im a ballistics technician.

Do lots of stuff for the military and law enforcment, glock, ruger, S&W, mossberg, H&k, etc etc

[bear]

Im a ballistics technician.

Do lots of stuff for the military and law enforcment, glock, ruger, S&W, mossberg, H&k, etc etc


How does one go about getting into that profession?

[DeepBlueZ]

How does one go about getting into that profession?

I'll second that!!!!:turbonaug

[nzballer05]

How does one go about getting into that profession?

I'll second that!!!!:turbonaug


Extremely hard to do. There are only a few labs in the united states that do what we do, several others around the world. I would say only about 100 or less people in the United states do what I do. There is no schooling or degree program for this. Its all hands on learning. It is so limited in fact that we have a shop attached to our building. All the equipment we need and use we have to custom fabricate up ourselves, there are no stores that sell what we need. I just happen to be lucky enough that one of the labratorys is in my home town (about 4 miles from home) and my parents knew the owners :)

I have been there for about 1.5 years now and have met alot of high ranking officals from the pentagon and customers around the world. We shoot everything from .22 to .50 BMG and everything in between. All types of exotic and normal ammo, and shoot everything from glass, steel armor, body armor, fiberglass, helmets yada yada yada

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

Extremely hard to do. There are only a few labs in the united states that do what we do, several others around the world. I would say only about 100 or less people in the United states do what I do. There is no schooling or degree program for this. Its all hands on learning. It is so limited in fact that we have a shop attached to our building. All the equipment we need and use we have to custom fabricate up ourselves, there are no stores that sell what we need. I just happen to be lucky enough that one of the labratorys is in my home town (about 4 miles from home) and my parents knew the owners :)

I have been there for about 1.5 years now and have met alot of high ranking officals from the pentagon and customers around the world. We shoot everything from .22 to .50 BMG and everything in between. All types of exotic and normal ammo, and shoot everything from glass, steel armor, body armor, fiberglass, helmets yada yada yada

Have you tested dragon skin body armor? Just wondering the results if so.

[swmn]

I have never shot anything bigger than a 44 mag... are these .460's and 500mags even fun to shoot at the range? Im talking like 20-30 rounds or does it just kill your wrist and hands?

I had a walnut gripped S&W in .44 magnum back in my twenties. Now I am in my forties and the 500 Smith is easier to shoot than I remember the .44 magnum being. On the one hand grip technology has come a long way, on the other none of my joints are what they used to be; some folks will say my memory is fading too.

Last year I would light off a box of 20 three or four times a week while I was working my loads up. This year I go to the range with my trail pistol on the first Saturday of the month and as long as I can put 20 for 20 in a hole the size of a bear skull I am done for the month.

Notice Tbone and I are both packing (Sierra v Hornady, yeah yeah) 350gr bullets but I am running with 1.5 grains less of the same (Hodgdon H110) gun powder then him. I can control the smaller charge better enough that I carry it.

For reference purposes an up to date .45 long Colt (Ruger, Freedom Arm, Thompson Center) with a 360 Grain bullet can handle 18.0 to 21.0 grains of Hodgdon H110 without exploding in your face. (Hodgdon reloading website, 05-06-09)

Your Great grandpa's 1873 Colt SAA loaded with 40.0 grains of black powder behind a 250 grain bullet will take bears that square up to 8 feet or so with one or two well placed shots, depending on how soon you need it stopped. (Handloader magazine, Feb 2004, #277)

To square a bear (no offense) first you skin it and then measure from the tip of the middle claw on the left hand to the tip of the middle claw on the right hand. Then measure from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. Add those two numbers together, then divide by two.

A bear that squares around six feet will probably stand 8 or 9 feet tall on his hind legs. One of the docs I work with took a brown bear last year (May 2008) that squared 11 feet, 4 inches. In the pics it looks like he is standing next to a pile of dirt with a bear head laying on the ground. .458 whachamacallit (Rigby?), eleven rounds.

I have fired a bunch of 400 grain and 440 grain stuff in .500 Smith and I am willing to agree to disagree with Tbone on this one. I feel if you can put 350 grain bullets in a grapefruit from 25 feet away all day, and those 350 grain bullets are moving at 1000fps or better; you are either going to live, or you would have died anyway no matter what you were packing.

I remember (in a museum) seeing the skeleton of some 25 foot crocodile that used (a long time ago) to live in North America... the meplat (flat shock generating surface on the front end) on a Sierra 350 JFP in .500 Smith is around 0.35", compare to 0.22" for a (Winchester or Remington factory fodder) .45 long Colt.

I think the Hornady has an even wider meplat than the Sierra (at 350gr in 500 Smith), but both are designed to expand or mushroom or petal where the factory 1873 Colt bullet was designed to penetrate.

Elmer Keith (father of the .44 magnum) figured out in the 1930s that having a nice wide meplat on the front of the bullet tended to make meat on the hoof lie down more or less immediately. Mr. Keith blew up a few .45 Colts before he got around to messing with the .44 Special and agitating for the .44 magnum.

FWIW to whomever, my next pistols are going to be in .45 (long) Colt. I want one with a 4.75" barrel all black and blued to carry with my tuxedo: 40 grains of black powder to go with black tie of course and a 255 grain Keith style bullet. The other one will be a 5.5 inch barrel probably in stainless for day in day out carry wiht Hodgdon 777.

Backing down from .500 Smith (thanks partly to my chiropractor), my next daily carry gun is going to be in .45 Colt. If I happen to take an unplanned excursion outside the city limits and happen to meet an obstreporous bear that squares over six feet, I might have to shoot twice.

[nzballer05]

Have you tested dragon skin body armor? Just wondering the results if so.

Yes we have. They tested it before I was with the company but I can not comment on the specific results. Its confidential. We'll just say there is a reason why you dont hear to much about it anymore ;)

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

Yes we have. They tested it before I was with the company but I can not comment on the specific results. Its confidential. We'll just say there is a reason why you dont hear to much about it anymore ;)

Interesting. After watching the segment on Future Weapons, I thought this product would have a promising future. I actually was contemplating buying a DS vest for work because it appeared after heavy testing on the episode, it seemed to maintain excellent integrity.

[Tbonekilla]

I have fired a bunch of 400 grain and 440 grain stuff in .500 Smith and I am willing to agree to disagree with Tbone on this one. I feel if you can put 350 grain bullets in a grapefruit from 25 feet away all day, and those 350 grain bullets are moving at 1000fps or better; you are either going to live, or you would have died anyway no matter what you were packing.

I whole heartedly agree. The 350's make my teeth chatter were as the 440's don't. If I had to carry mine like you do then I would be loading with a different agenda. In greater metro Chicago I just load for shock and awe. Well, mostly because of cost.

I take it you are familiar with Ranger Rick bullets in Homer, AK? Those 600gr he makes really torque your wrist when loaded full tilt. Made those 700gr feel tame. Just no room for powder.

[nzballer05]

Interesting. After watching the segment on Future Weapons, I thought this product would have a promising future. I actually was contemplating buying a DS vest for work because it appeared after heavy testing on the episode, it seemed to maintain excellent integrity.

What do you do for a living? What type of vest are you looking for? IIA, II, or IIA?

Hit me up in a PM if you want to chat about this some more.

[swmn]

I whole heartedly agree. The 350's make my teeth chatter were as the 440's don't. If I had to carry mine like you do then I would be loading with a different agenda. In greater metro Chicago I just load for shock and awe. Well, mostly because of cost.

In the commercial stuff I don't get very good groups with the Corbon stuff at 400 grains, the Corbon at 440 grains, and I really _dislike_ the 400grain Winchester Platinum Tip hollow point (400 PTHP). The latter is such a high pressure round that the empties stick in all my firing chambers, Smith and Wesson, Magnum Research and I got the NEF Handi-Rifle too.

I developed loads at 325, 350 and 400 grains. At the range I usally plink with 325gr. In interior AK where bears rarely square over 6 feet I carry the 350gr, and when I head south into salmon and brown bear country I carry the 400gr. When I go north to white bear country, I am taking the 400s.

FWIW I loaded all my remaining 400s (Sierra JFP) over 36.0 of Vhitavhouri N-110. I liked the Hodgdon H110 better, but I had a bunch of the VV N110 that wasn't going to get used for anything else, and a bunch of 350 Sierras to load with my remaining H110.

At 25 feet I can put my 400s into a basketball one handed double action quickly for 15-20 rounds. Considering the size target I am carrying for it is more than adequate, it is my wrist getting sore than stops me.

I take it you are familiar with Ranger Rick bullets in Homer, AK? Those 600gr he makes really torque your wrist when loaded full tilt. Made those 700gr feel tame. Just no room for powder.

Honestly if I needed something that big I would put together an AR-15 chambered 50 Beowulf and fill a 30 round .223 magazine with my pet load for Sierra 350s...

I have heard of Ranger Rick, not had opportunity to do business with him. I do have some 400gr Keith style but the alloy is really soft, no gas check and cleaning the barrel is a mess. I played with them enough to find they fly best over H110.

Also, I did burn a pound of Win296. It doesn't look exactly the same as H110 when I have a saucer of each side by side on the bench, but darn close. Don't ask me which is which, they are my first two choices. My third choice is LilGun and those are the only three powders I stock/ use for .500 Smith and Wesson.

I am fixin to pick up some TiteGroup shotgun powder for something else and I'll probably play with it in 500 Smith, but it will have to be really, really fluffy to fill the cases well at suggested charge weights. Same for TrailBoss, I have heard it is pretty fluffy, it'll have to be darn near cotton candy to fill the case at suggested weights.

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

What do you do for a living? What type of vest are you looking for? IIA, II, or IIA?

Hit me up in a PM if you want to chat about this some more.

I am a Massachusetts State Trooper. I just went for a new vest fitting about four weeks ago. The brand I chose was Survival Armor.
http://www.survivalarmor.com/

[nzballer05]

I am a Massachusetts State Trooper. I just went for a new vest fitting about four weeks ago. The brand I chose was Survival Armor.
http://www.survivalarmor.com/

Yes I am very familiar with them ;) Actually had the lead engenier and co founder out at our place thurs :)

And thank you for your service. Stay safe.

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

Yes I am very familiar with them ;) Actually had the lead engenier and co founder out at our place thurs :)

And thank you for your service. Stay safe.

Thanks for the kind words. How did Survival Armor rate for ballistic protection? Would you recommend their products?

[bear]

Thanks for the kind words. How did Survival Armor rate for ballistic protection? Would you recommend their products?

[Tpr crosses fingers]*** lol

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

[Tpr crosses fingers]*** lol

I know.:)

[Tbonekilla]

In the commercial stuff I don't get very good groups with the Corbon stuff at 400 grains, the Corbon at 440 grains, and I really _dislike_ the 400grain Winchester Platinum Tip hollow point (400 PTHP). The latter is such a high pressure round that the empties stick in all my firing chambers, Smith and Wesson, Magnum Research and I got the NEF Handi-Rifle too.

I developed loads at 325, 350 and 400 grains. At the range I usally plink with 325gr. In interior AK where bears rarely square over 6 feet I carry the 350gr, and when I head south into salmon and brown bear country I carry the 400gr. When I go north to white bear country, I am taking the 400s.

FWIW I loaded all my remaining 400s (Sierra JFP) over 36.0 of Vhitavhouri N-110. I liked the Hodgdon H110 better, but I had a bunch of the VV N110 that wasn't going to get used for anything else, and a bunch of 350 Sierras to load with my remaining H110.

At 25 feet I can put my 400s into a basketball one handed double action quickly for 15-20 rounds. Considering the size target I am carrying for it is more than adequate, it is my wrist getting sore than stops me.



Honestly if I needed something that big I would put together an AR-15 chambered 50 Beowulf and fill a 30 round .223 magazine with my pet load for Sierra 350s...

I have heard of Ranger Rick, not had opportunity to do business with him. I do have some 400gr Keith style but the alloy is really soft, no gas check and cleaning the barrel is a mess. I played with them enough to find they fly best over H110.

Also, I did burn a pound of Win296. It doesn't look exactly the same as H110 when I have a saucer of each side by side on the bench, but darn close. Don't ask me which is which, they are my first two choices. My third choice is LilGun and those are the only three powders I stock/ use for .500 Smith and Wesson.

I am fixin to pick up some TiteGroup shotgun powder for something else and I'll probably play with it in 500 Smith, but it will have to be really, really fluffy to fill the cases well at suggested charge weights. Same for TrailBoss, I have heard it is pretty fluffy, it'll have to be darn near cotton candy to fill the case at suggested weights.

I tried H110 and AA#9 for the 500. I liked H110 a lot better. So I use the AA#9 for 10mm now. Which works wonders, btw. I have a bottle of 4227 waiting to go behind some 440gr's. Been putting it off though since H110 works so damn good.

This thread made me find some Sierra 400gr's that I didn't knew I had lol. :boink:

[swmn]

[Tpr crosses fingers]*** lol

swmn and Tbonekilla have crossed fingers on defense too.

On offense, Hodgdon H110 is the shizznit for 500 Smith.


Dear Lord, if I meet hungry black bear tomorrow, please make sure he squares under about 6 feet so I can blow his offside shoulder straight to hell with my first shot. That will save me skinning one leg so I can take the hide and skull to Fish and Game just a little bit faster Monday morning...

[swmn]

I tried H110 and AA#9 for the 500. I liked H110 a lot better. So I use the AA#9 for 10mm now. Which works wonders, btw. I have a bottle of 4227 waiting to go behind some 440gr's. Been putting it off though since H110 works so damn good.

This thread made me find some Sierra 400gr's that I didn't knew I had lol. :boink:

I have not had opportunity to try AA#9.

If you have some IMR 4227 and a .500 Smith the best thing to do is spread some 4227 on the snow between your front door and your mailbox. When you light off the 4227 it will leave a black colored ash behind which will absorb sunlight and melt a pathway so you can check your mail in you fuzzy slippers eariler than otherwise.

M2c.

Edit: Hodgdon H110, Win296 and Lil Gun: all you need to load .500 Smith from 325 up to 400 grains.

EDIT II: With a good solid crimp extruded powders still leave scat in my 4" and 7.5" barrels. VV110 is the least offensive. Cylinder to barrel gap on my BFR is < 0.003 ".

Edit III: Every extruded powder I have leaves scat even in my Handi Rifle; IMR 4227, AA 5744, Vhitavhouri N 110 are the three I have tried.

[swmn]

I only got one powder in stock worse than IMR 4227. You know that line about "not worth the powder and shot to blow him away?"

AA5744 is absolutely miserable in both .500 Smith and .223 Remington. I am sure it is good for something, but whatever that is is some caliber I do not own.

[nzballer05]

Thanks for the kind words. How did Survival Armor rate for ballistic protection? Would you recommend their products?

heheh. I cannot comment on ballistic data and I wont make my peronsal views known in public. I dont need to get in trouble. However they are ok.

I have not had opportunity to try AA#9.

We used AA#9 at work for all of our magnum rounds. It worked really well until we tried experimenting with AA#2. AA#2 is way more reliable and consistant. Especially if you have somewhat of a big air gap inside the case and you wad it. If you dont you wont get a very even powder burn and your velocity will obviously be affected. We constantly get 5-10 foot spreads with the same charge. Hard to beat that

[swmn]

We used AA#9 at work for all of our magnum rounds. It worked really well until we tried experimenting with AA#2. AA#2 is way more reliable and consistant. Especially if you have somewhat of a big air gap inside the case and you wad it. If you dont you wont get a very even powder burn and your velocity will obviously be affected. We constantly get 5-10 foot spreads with the same charge. Hard to beat that

500 Smith is the only pistol round I have ever reloaded. I'll keep an eye out for AA#2. With ball powders in the 500 I don't like loading less than about 40 grains, I will switch to an extruded in that situation. I don't have a chronograph but around that loading point there is an airgap around 1/8" in the vertical case, recoil is different round to round and the groups start opening up from a bench rest. I have never used wadding in metalic cartridges. Chrony is on my short wish list of toys.

[nzballer05]

500 Smith is the only pistol round I have ever reloaded. I'll keep an eye out for AA#2. With ball powders in the 500 I don't like loading less than about 40 grains, I will switch to an extruded in that situation. I don't have a chronograph but around that loading point there is an airgap around 1/8" in the vertical case, recoil is different round to round and the groups start opening up from a bench rest. I have never used wadding in metalic cartridges. Chrony is on my short wish list of toys.


Never reloaded 500. I would guess with a slug like that you would need around 40grs + of powder to get your velocity. Even if its a little less then that or you want to take care of your gap problem try a little wadding. We dont use anything fancy, toilet paper to be exact. Very cheep, fast, and lots of it. Pull a square peice, rip it in half, and stuff it in. Should do the trick. But for consistant shooting obviously chronos are needed.

[Tbonekilla]

I have not had opportunity to try AA#9.

If you have some IMR 4227 and a .500 Smith the best thing to do is spread some 4227 on the snow between your front door and your mailbox. When you light off the 4227 it will leave a black colored ash behind which will absorb sunlight and melt a pathway so you can check your mail in you fuzzy slippers eariler than otherwise.

M2c.

Edit: Hodgdon H110, Win296 and Lil Gun: all you need to load .500 Smith from 325 up to 400 grains.

EDIT II: With a good solid crimp extruded powders still leave scat in my 4" and 7.5" barrels. VV110 is the least offensive. Cylinder to barrel gap on my BFR is < 0.003 ".

Edit III: Every extruded powder I have leaves scat even in my Handi Rifle; IMR 4227, AA 5744, Vhitavhouri N 110 are the three I have tried.

I only got one powder in stock worse than IMR 4227. You know that line about "not worth the powder and shot to blow him away?"

AA5744 is absolutely miserable in both .500 Smith and .223 Remington. I am sure it is good for something, but whatever that is is some caliber I do not own.

4227 is an extruded powder? Damnit, I haven't even opened it yet to look. That seals the deal for me. Ball powder meters like sand in my uniflow.

We used AA#9 at work for all of our magnum rounds. It worked really well until we tried experimenting with AA#2. AA#2 is way more reliable and consistant. Especially if you have somewhat of a big air gap inside the case and you wad it. If you dont you wont get a very even powder burn and your velocity will obviously be affected. We constantly get 5-10 foot spreads with the same charge. Hard to beat that

500 Smith is the only pistol round I have ever reloaded. I'll keep an eye out for AA#2. With ball powders in the 500 I don't like loading less than about 40 grains, I will switch to an extruded in that situation. I don't have a chronograph but around that loading point there is an airgap around 1/8" in the vertical case, recoil is different round to round and the groups start opening up from a bench rest. I have never used wadding in metalic cartridges. Chrony is on my short wish list of toys.

Please don't use AA#2 in a 500. That powder is way too fast. Used for .32ACP, 9mm, 40SW's, and shotguns.

http://www.reloadbench.com/burn.html

[nzballer05]

Please don't use AA#2 in a 500. That powder is way too fast. Used for .32ACP, 9mm, 40SW's, and shotguns.

You can use it as long as you know what your doing. (I.E. having chronos to check your velocitys.) Velocity is velocity no matter what type of powder you use. You can use the fastest burning powder or the slowest burning powder as long as you have a case to hold it and you can reach your intended velocity without to much pressure.

Although, we do tend to soup things up a bit at work. Anything from 700 fps to 6,000 fps :turbonaug

We have shot things slow enough that the slugs get stuck in the barells and we have shot things fast enough that we need to use our Doppler Radar to pick up the velocitys (the projectiles are to small and fast to be picked up with the light screens).

[swmn]

I just opened the jar to double check. My one pound of IMR4227 is extruded. The pieces are cut really short, buy definitely cylinders not spheres.

I am sure it must be good for something, but 500 Smith isn't it.

[nzballer05]

I just opened the jar to double check. My one pound of IMR4227 is extruded. The pieces are cut really short, buy definitely cylinders not spheres.

I am sure it must be good for something, but 500 Smith isn't it.


Smaller rifle cartridges. If I remember right we use 4227 for all of our 7.62x39mm rounds. Ill have to double check the load books at work on monday.

[Tbonekilla]

You can use it as long as you know what your doing. (I.E. having chronos to check your velocitys.) Velocity is velocity no matter what type of powder you use. You can use the fastest burning powder or the slowest burning powder as long as you have a case to hold it and you can reach your intended velocity without to much pressure.

Although, we do tend to soup things up a bit at work. Anything from 700 fps to 6,000 fps :turbonaug

We have shot things slow enough that the slugs get stuck in the barells and we have shot things fast enough that we need to use our Doppler Radar to pick up the velocitys (the projectiles are to small and fast to be picked up with the light screens).

Yes but a powder that burns too fast will spike in pressure rupturing the chamber before the bullet even left the barrel. Detonation is not fun.

[nzballer05]

Yes but a powder that burns too fast will spike in pressure rupturing the chamber before the bullet even left the barrel. Detonation is not fun.


Very true. Like I stated, I have never hand loaded a 500. Anyone who handloads should obviously use common since and do their research. We use it for .44 mag (1450fps) and 458. We use powerpistol for .357 Mag. But we also shoot things alot faster then factory velocity. Definatly look into it and do some research. I dont have to do that because I shoot things cast out of a solid steel frame. Excessive pressure isnt an issue for me ;)

[Tbonekilla]

Very true. Like I stated, I have never hand loaded a 500. Anyone who handloads should obviously use common since and do their research. We use it for .44 mag (1450fps) and 458. We use powerpistol for .357 Mag. But we also shoot things alot faster then factory velocity. Definatly look into it and do some research. I dont have to do that because I shoot things cast out of a solid steel frame. Excessive pressure isnt an issue for me ;)

LOL your posts should have a disclaimer

*Do NOT try this at home.*:diaf:

:lol:

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

Damn....
http://www.vincelewis.net/60magnum.html

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_X5nyGu5LQ&feature=related

[swmn]

A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a $16,000, 13.75 pound Pfeifer-Zeliska in .600 Nitro Express.

I don't have any rifles that weigh 13 pounds.

[Napalm]

Yeah, my shotgun doesn't weight that much IIRC.

DAMN. and why a .700 nitro express.

Why smurf around, where is the 1.0 smurfitall freight train killer express overnight.?

[The Guns]

http://www.cnccookbook.com/img/OthersProjects/laht i.jpg[/QUOTE]


why stop at 50BMG or 700NE for a pistol? Let's chamber 20mm Lahti (above) in one. I'll take the 2nd shot with it. I can always turn it down after seeing carnage from the first one.

Always had dreams of making a 16ga pistol. Now I'm old enough to know better.

for the sake of the 460/500 argument- I'd take 460 due to flatter trajectories. It really says something when S&W had to delay the 460 launch because bullet torque was causing frame failure on the 500 based frames.

[elpuerco]

Hey Tpr -- Smith & Wesson has a $75 off sale right now on the .460 and .500.

http://www.newingtongunex.com/sales.html

This is in Newington, CT... FYI.

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

Hey Tpr -- Smith & Wesson has a $75 off sale right now on the .460 and .500.

http://www.newingtongunex.com/sales.html

This is in Newington, CT... FYI.

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately it will be a couple more months before I can buy one.

[TLS_Addict]

I went shooting today with my step father. Put 400 rounds of CCI mini mag through my GSG-5P without any problems at all. The gun performed flawlessly. My cousin showed up at the range and had his usual assortment of nice pieces. Then he pulled out the S&W 460 magnum / 8.5" barrel. That gun is amazing. I went from shooting 40 grain to 400 grain rounds. I would not want to be on the receiving end of that handheld cannon. The recoil was less than I expected, yet you can feel the gun "kick" slightly and definately feel the power in your hands. My cousin let me put about ten rounds through it. Hands down the most badass piece of hardware I have ever shot. I am buying this gun within the next couple of months.

What state are you in? I think we have 2 at the store right now.

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

What state are you in? I think we have 2 at the store right now.

MA. Thanks anyway. Like I wrote in the above post, it is going to be a few more months before I will be able to purchase one.

[TLS_Addict]

MA. Thanks anyway. Like I wrote in the above post, it is going to be a few more months before I will be able to purchase one.

Well we have a lay-a-way plan :)

Also pretty easy to just have it shipped to your local FFL carrier.

[TprGTO-[Robo Fuzz]]

Well we have a lay-a-way plan :)

Also pretty easy to just have it shipped to your local FFL carrier.

Can you beat $950.00 for S&W .500 magnum with 6.5" barrel brand new?

[nzballer05]

Ironically,

Just shot 300rds of .500 S&W today for Smith & Wesson. My partner shot the other 300. 600rds through 1 gun in about 2-2.5hrs lol. We had the ammo down graded a bit. I think they were running ~1200 fps maybe a little slower and a lighter bullet. 250 or 350gr SXT bullet. Ill double check tomarrow

[bear]

Ironically,

Just shot 300rds of .500 S&W today for Smith & Wesson. My partner shot the other 300. 600rds through 1 gun in about 2-2.5hrs lol. We had the ammo down graded a bit. I think they were running ~1200 fps maybe a little slower and a lighter bullet. 250 or 350gr SXT bullet. Ill double check tomarrow

How is your hearing?

[Tbonekilla]

Yeah, full tilt 350gr should be around 1800fps.

[nzballer05]

How is your hearing?

Not bad, Still a slight headache and ringing noise in my ears. I even wore the little foam plugs and then headphones over those

Yeah, full tilt 350gr should be around 1800fps.

Yeah way to much power for what we are doing. Talk about a headache at the end of the day. You can literally feel the shockwave go through your bones and feel your teeth chadder lol. And a very big mess to cleanup with all the unburnt powder.

[swmn]

Ironically,

Just shot 300rds of .500 S&W today for Smith & Wesson. My partner shot the other 300. 600rds through 1 gun in about 2-2.5hrs lol. We had the ammo down graded a bit. I think they were running ~1200 fps maybe a little slower and a lighter bullet. 250 or 350gr SXT bullet. Ill double check tomarrow


That's a long day, I would not do that even with light bullets at low to middlin velocity. I can't help but wonder if they aren't looking for a more controllable round to label .500 SW Special. Take some motrin. Or some Arnica montana and a few beers, the latter is reasonably safe with moderate alcohol.

Who makes the SXT bullet? I don't recognize the acronym.

I would likewise opine there is nothing wrong about a very large bullet moseying along at even 800fps, look at what the Sharps 50/90 did to the North American bison.

[nzballer05]

That's a long day, I would not do that even with light bullets at low to middlin velocity. I can't help but wonder if they aren't looking for a more controllable round to label .500 SW Special. Take some motrin. Or some Arnica montana and a few beers, the latter is reasonably safe with moderate alcohol.

Who makes the SXT bullet? I don't recognize the acronym.

I would likewise opine there is nothing wrong about a very large bullet moseying along at even 800fps, look at what the Sharps 50/90 did to the North American bison.

Tomarrow will be even longer. 2 more guns to go = 1200 rounds lol. It can be found under special rounds. But we also had them purposly reduce the charge for our testing purposes.

I should not have said SXT because I dont think that is right. However there are Winchester Ranger SXT 9mm bullets out there for law enforcment only. Its a hollow point with notches in the tip that narrows down like a cone, not your typical hollow point, some pretty nasty stuff.
Edit:
After double checking its Corbon DPX

[swmn]

I load .500 Smith with 275Gr Barnes X for my nightstand. Nasty enough. Nose opening + meplat is 0.346", 44.0 of H110 motivated by Federal GM210M.

I came by to mention to Matt, keep an eye on gunbroker and stuff. Often there are .500s up "99.9% NIB, only fired once," some priced more sensibly than others. IIRC the SW warranty does not transfer with the gun from the original registered owner, but I bet you know "some people" in Springfield.

[Tbonekilla]

I load .500 Smith with 275Gr Barnes X for my nightstand. Nasty enough. Nose opening + meplat is 0.346", 44.0 of H110 motivated by Federal GM210M.

The muzzle flash will set your house on fire lol.