Survey on your favorite S&W .500 Magnum loads and for which version of Smith and Wess

[John Ross]

Hello, just to clarify, you are loading 2 254 swc in the same case? What kind of velocity are you getting?
Sounds like a great idea

Quickload says about 770 FPS with two 255 grain bullets OAL 1.980" out of a 3" .500 with 37 gr. RL-17 at a pressure of 20,000 PSI.

28.0 H-110 should give about 1050 FPS at 36,000 PSI.

[obersaber]

Quickload says about 770 FPS with two 255 grain bullets OAL 1.980" out of a 3" .500 with 37 gr. RL-17 at a pressure of 20,000 PSI.

28.0 H-110 should give about 1050 FPS at 36,000 PSI.

Thank you for the Quickload info. I might try your suggested 28gr of H-110 out of the 22" barrel Big Horn Armory model 89 but to be honest, the 770fps double slug load out of a 3" revolver is approaching my limit. With regard to accuracy vs power, On this one, I believe I will just rationalize until I feel good then quit. Respect!!!

[obersaber]

FYI - The Big Horn Armory model 89 lever action in 500 S&W is limited to cartridges no longer than 2.15" OAL

[RJM52]

Have had one of the 4" models since they came out... Also have a stainless 20" TC Encore barrel.

Have settled on 350 grains as the weight of choice...just don't need anything heavier for what I do with the gun.

Cast:
NOE 350

Jacketed:
Hornady XTP
Sierra JHC
Speer FP

Plated:
Berry's

Loads:

Berry's plated and NOE Cast:
18.0 grains of Unique/1080 fps

Jacketed:
20 grains of Unique/1250 fps

Jacketed from the rifle:
43 grains of H110/1800 fps (1280 from the 4" and will light your hair on fire)


Bob

[obersaber]

Have had one of the 4" models since they came out... Also have a stainless 20" TC Encore barrel.

Have settled on 350 grains as the weight of choice...just don't need anything heavier for what I do with the gun.

Cast:
NOE 350

Jacketed:
Hornady XTP
Sierra JHC
Speer FP

Plated:
Berry's

Loads:

Berry's plated and NOE Cast:
18.0 grains of Unique/1080 fps

Jacketed:
20 grains of Unique/1250 fps

Jacketed from the rifle:
43 grains of H110/1800 fps (1280 from the 4" and will light your hair on fire)


Bob

I like the "light your hair on fire" loads from a short barrel. I hear blue dot makes an impressive flash.

[obersaber]

1.05 oz to be precise.


Accurate Molds #50-450H &
Big Horn Armory model 89 w/22" barrel

[obersaber]

I have some ultra-light solid copper projectiles designed for the 50GI that weigh in at 185gr.
I would like to see how fast I can get them to go in my 3" barrel x-frame and also in my Big Horn Armory model 89 with 22" barrel. I want to use W-296 but don't have load data. I am wondering if John Ross has experimented with lighter 500 S&W bullet weight choices.

[obersaber]

Tried John Ross suggestion of 28gr W-296 with twin 255 gr SWC at 25 yds. out of my Big Horn Armory model 89 in 500 S&W with 22" barrel. I did not weigh slugs before they got paired up and probably could do better if the twins are the same weight.

[RJM52]

obersaber... 296/H110 is my favorite powder for high velocity Magnum loads. I use 43 grains of H110 with a 350 grain bullet and from 4" barrel it only gets 30 more fps than a load of 20 grains of Unique. Twice as much powder at a lot more per pound and a LOT more muzzleblast for 30 fps...

That said neither is a max load. For H110/296 I have always found that the best load for accuracy and consistency is to put just enough H110 in the case so that the base of the bullet sits right on top of the powder leaving zero air space. Never any pressure signs and accuracy is always great. I have done that for various bullets in .357, .41, .44 and .454 and it has always worked. And it is usually within 1-2 grains of a Max published load.

Bob

[obersaber]

RJM52 - your advice to fill the case to the bottom of the bullet with W296 works for me as well. Just touching, not compressed. The 185grCopper Hollow Points from Guncrafter take 54 grains of W296 without signs of pressure and with a loud resounding boom. Thanks again for your advice.

[Dieselhorses]

I know this is a "sharing section" on loads but I'm having a hard time finding a starting load for this one:





HP's I cast render about 338 GR and solid should be 350-355 GR. This is a plain base mold but powder coating. Shooting from an 8.375" barrel, Win LRP's and powder on hand is IMR-4227, H110, 5744, A#9 and Unique. (I have Titegroup but I like cases a bit full). Just looking for plinking rounds to work up.

Thanks for any input!

[obersaber]

Accurate reloading guide says start with 35.1gr A#9 for 1676fps...44.3gr for 1917fps. 14.5gr UNIQUE is mild and accurate but has the potential for a double load if you don't pay attention.

[Dieselhorses]

Accurate reloading guide says start with 35.1gr A#9 for 1676fps...44.3gr for 1917fps. 14.5gr UNIQUE is mild and accurate but has the potential for a double load if you don't pay attention.

I'm only loading 20 at a time for now (with this slug). Despite powder coat trying to keep velocity under 1400 FPS (due to no check) but that might be inherently impossible, thanks for the input!

[obersaber]

No check needed with powder coat boolits. No check plain base design works better with powder coat. You can push powder coated bullets as fast as you desire without leading.

[Dieselhorses]

Once again, didn't mean to sway the balance of the OP's original subject of deployment but I found this and if this thread is still alive I'll post some results/pic's/etc.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...in-500-S-amp-W

[500aquasteve]

Big Horn Armory model 89 with 22" barrel and S&W x-frame 4" bobbed down to 3". With the fancy grips I like 15gr Unique with a powder coated 254grSWC. Two of the the SWC's back to back using 35gr Reloder#17 prints about an inch apart at 25 yds. from the snubby. Attachment 236942

obersaber, by chance if you happen see see this, if you don’t mind mentioning where you modified the 4” to a 3”? I am very interested in this.
Pictured below ��