S&W 500 load check.

[Thompsoncustom]

Just loaded up my first rounds for my S&W 500 today and just wanted to make sure this all sounds safe.
OAL is 2.000 bullet is a Lee 440gr over 18gr of PowerPistol.

The only other thing new to me is roll crimping as this is my only revolver and I'm kind of unsure if I have the crimp set right or not but I figured I'd fire one round and then remeasure the others to see if they move under the recoil.

[Don Purcell]

Main thing is the bullets feel tight as you seat them. Tension on the bullet is key before the crimp. That Lee is a good bullet in the .500. Don't try to make up for loose tension with a heavy crimp as too much crimp can bulge the case mouth area and actually loosen the bullet plus cause chambering problems. Keep your powder dry.

[Bonz]

I have never tried PowerPistol with a bullet heavier than 350 grains. Very interested to hear how your 440 grain shoots with 18 grains of PowerPistol. I swage my own .500 bullets out of 45acp brass and the average length of fired 45acp brass is just a "tad" too long on a 350 grain bullet. A 400 grain bullet swaged out of 45acp brass would have a small lead exposed tip which would be fine in my revolver. I normally load my 350 grain bullet with 24 grains of PowerPistol. Please post how your 440 grain bullet ends up shooting like.

[Greg S]

Alliant PP load data lists a Speer 350 UCSP, Fed 215 and 27.0 grains. Noteable is they also no list data for 2400 and 300MP. You'll need to do some research to better get a grip on pressures with that load since PP is simular in burn to Bdot and not the more generally used slower powders.

[Thompsoncustom]

Thanks for the advice, neck tension on the bullet is really good.

As far as pressure goes I have quickload tho I don't remember what the estimated psi is off the top of my head I do know that it was pretty low.

I've reloaded 9mm for quite a few year and 308w for a little while but this will be my first time reloading for a revolver.

[Thompsoncustom]

Shot 20 of them today and everything went great still like a 44 mag on steroids but not the full 500 so pretty good range load for me.