Anyone Load 500 S&W mag?

[chili17]

Picked up a John Ross Performance Center piece and looking for loads. Primarily going to shoot 4-500gr bullets. Was looking at using 1680 and WC846 since I have a bunch for mid power loads. Unfortunately John passed a few years and while I have some of his notes, I dont have anyone to confer with. If you dont know, John was THE authority on all things 500mag. Thanks!

 

[Slowmo]

I’ve got its little bro, a .500JRH. Never shot the full .500S&W though. H110/W296 (or surplus WC297 back when that was still around) is always my go to for magnum revolver rounds.

I messed around a little with mid-power loads but ultimately decided it was an expensive version of what I could accomplish for less with .44 mag/.45 Colt Ruger loads.

 

[chili17]

My way of thinking a mid power load for 500mag would be around 1500fps for a 400gr and 1400fps for a 500gr

 

[Deerhurst]

Wife has a 500 mag. I load her 440gr using Longshot.

1250FPS with the 440s gets decently spicy.

The wife likes a mild little 900fps load.

 

[Slowmo]

My way of thinking a mid power load for 500mag would be around 1500fps for a 400gr and 1400fps for a 500gr

Gotcha, I thought you were envisioning something milder. Those figures are about what top end .500JRH does (pretty much interchanges with .500 Wyoming Express data from Hodgdon), which is a nice performance level and shooting experience in my short-frame BFR.

 

[chili17]

With operating pressures of 60k, should be able to get 1600fps with a 500gr bullet and 1800fps with a 400gr

 

[nklf]

I have not started loading for the 500 yet. Primarily due to time. Factory loads are quite stout.

 

[chili17]

41gr of 1680 gave me 1435fps with a long shank 400gr LSWC yesterday. CCI LRM. 5" barrel. Going to have my dad cast me some 450-700gr bullets because Im his favorite son and I hate casting

 

[root]

Chili if you need projos send me a PM I have a few boxes of 500 S&W projos I bought by mistake for my desert eagle.
They are to long to seat in the cases and fit in the mag.

 

[chili17]

Think I found it. 400gr jacketed bullet at 1525fps. 50grs of 1680

 

[Deerhurst]

That should be spicy!

 

[chili17]

Honesty its getting tough for me to tell much difference in recoil after 1350fps. I know it is greater because the rubber grip starts to abrade my palm

 

[Slowmo]

In my experience, the Hogue Tamer grips that come on most .500s don’t last long anyway. I used them on my S&W 69, and the rubber covering the Sorbothane pad has torn relatively quickly for two separate pairs. S&W replaced one under warranty since I bought it through them. Not sure I bothered to try to get the second replaced because it had such a brief lifespan that it was apparent it wouldn’t be a workable long term solution for me.

 

[chili17]

Yea thats starting to happen after about 200rds of full power loads. Actually bruised my palm under my index finger knuckle. Any recommendations on grips? Not big on anything with finger grooves. Was thinking about trying some pachmyer compacs

 

[Slowmo]

Unfortunately I have never found a long-term grip fix for the DA hand cannon riddle.

The soft plastic/hard rubber ones that currently come on most S&Ws are not bad. If I remember correctly, the X frame uses the same grip as a K/L frame. The current grips have a bit of finger groove, but not too much and could be sanded down. They provide a little bit of padding for the web of the hand compared to bare steel, but are still pretty hard. They are a little slippery and roll in my hand though. Not sure I ever tried them with gloves or athletic tape, but that could probably fix the slip.
https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/413860000