More useful .500 S&W load data

[John Ross]

For those of you who like to rely on published loading data from a powder manufacturer with pressure testing equipment, as opposed to the recommendations of an enthusiastic amateur with fewer technical resources at his disposal, I have some good news.

I have often said that the now discontinued powder 4759 is a very useful propellant in the .500 S&W. It is about the same speed as 296, but considerably bulkier such that a Smith & Wesson revolver cannot be overloaded with it unless the bullets are made of something that is more dense than lead, and it doesn't have ignition issues when loaded down to black powder pressure levels.

4759 is difficult if not impossible to come by nowadays. It was THE powder to use in big bore rifle calibers that were originally designed for black powder. Many of those people are now using Accurate 5744 in their .45-90s, .50-110s, and the like if their guns will handle 25,000 psi pressures.

This powder is made in Canada, and the factory provides a wealth of loading data for it and the other powders that they make. The entire manual is available online at

http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/up...371.1603529555

I have taken the liberty of doing screenshots and cutting and pasting the relevant 5744 data for the .500 S&W. It is sized such that it fits perfectly on an 8.5 X 11 sheet of printer paper.

Doing some simulations with Quickload, which supports 5744, it appears that this powder is capable of giving an overload, but not a dangerous one--which is to say, not as high pressure as a proof load. There isn't enough room in the case to get more than about 70,000 psi with any weight lead bullet. That's always a good feature to my way of thinking.

Conveniently, the factory also provides data for "reduced" loads using this powder. A glance at these will tell you that they yield considerably more power than any load using Trail Boss.

I will throw out one area where I disagree with whoever compiled the loading manual. They specifically state "No other load recommended" with their "reduced load" data, implying that you must follow it exactly.

I suspect that if you drop the powder charge below what they have published, you may end up with ignition issues, and I understand that. Quickload estimates that the pressures of their "reduced load" recommendations are in the 25,000 psi to 27,000 psi range.

However, I see no reason whatsoever not to use any powder charge of 5744 that is greater than their "reduced load" recommendation, but still less than what they list for a "starting load" with that bullet and powder.

This powder merits further experimentation.

[Alferd Packer]

Brian Pearce has just run an answer in the oct.2020 issue of Handloader that may interest those of you with the big hand cannon.
Anyway he recommends some loads that are reduced to give you some shooting pleasure.

[John Ross]

Brian Pearce has just run an answer in the oct.2020 issue of Handloader that may interest those of you with the big hand cannon. Anyway he recommends some loads that are reduced to give you some shooting pleasure.

Here is the "article" referred to in its entirety:

.500 S&W Reduced Loads

Q: Several years ago I purchased a Smith & Wesson Model 500 chambered in .500 S&W Magnum with the 4-inch barrel to take on Alaskan fishing trips. When I first purchased it, I fired it enough to become reasonably competent, but I never really liked shooting it due to its recoil. Unfortunately, since my last fishing trip, it only rests quietly in the safe. After reading your comments on reduced magnum revolver loads, I thought that perhaps I could enjoy the gun with a load that is going around 800 to 900 fps with a 350- to 400-grain cast bullet. And I would like a second load that will push the same bullet to around 1,200 fps. Do you have any suggestions for bullet choice and powder type and charge weights?

J.S., Hermiston OR

Through careful selection of components, the .500 Smith & Wesson can be downloaded for substantially reduced recoil.Through careful selection of components, the .500 Smith & Wesson can be downloaded for substantially reduced recoil.

A: For your light load I would suggest using the Oregon Trail Laser Cast True Shot 370-grain WNFP with 14.0 grains of Hodgdon Trail Boss powder, which produced 995 fps from my revolver that has the 8-3⁄8-inch barrel, and is probably within your targeted 800 to 900 fps when fired from your revolver with a 4-inch barrel. For a bit more velocity, try 15.0 grains of Hodgdon Titegroup powder, which produced 1,258 fps from my gun and is probably around 1,200 fps from your gun’s shorter barrel. Incidentally, the above loads were assembled in Starline cases with the “R,” which indicates that primer pockets are designed for rifle primers. Both loads were ignited with CCI 200 primers. Hope that helps!

JR comment: Nothing new here, and one more recommendation to increase your chances of destroying your .500...



JR

[lar45]

Holy $#!+ Balls Batman, how did that one happen?
A double charge of fast powder?

[John Ross]

That's what the smart money says. I have now personally examined a total of five S&W .500s that have been destroyed. In EVERY CASE, the powder used was TiteGroup. I am flabbergasted that Hodgdon publishes loads for the 500 with this powder. In my opinion it is an accident waiting to happen, and I will not allow any quantity of it in my shop.

[Warhawk]

JR ... I bought one of your 5 inch Performance Center guns a couple of years ago. I’ve finally settled on a load that does what I want. 14 grains of Trail Boss under a polymer coated 330 grain cast bullet (Badman Bullets). It clocks right at 1000 FPS and is easy on my surgically repaired hands.

[John Ross]

Glad to hear you're still using and enjoying the gun!

If you ever get tired of it, keep in mind that one sold at auction a year ago for over $4000...

[lar45]

I totally missed the boat on your 5" guns. I already had a 4" S&W and a 7.5" BFR... At the time I didn't realize that your special run had a 10"twist barrel for stabilizing the 700gn monsters.

[Petander]

5744 is an interesting powder. My chances finding it are zero...

You can not reduce loads like that with "normal" powders, I remember talking to a Vihtavuori engineer about this, I wanted to make reduced cast 300-400 grain 470 NE loads. 5744 is great for that. He called me back the next day with data for Vihtavuori powders but you can't go below 67% fill even with N120.

[500aquasteve]

I love the 500 magnum for what it is. The only reason I would fire “reduced loads” out of it would be for my wife or daughter to try. Have not loaded 500 S&W (or anything) yet - still researching, but my target load will be 440 cast at 1500 - 1600 ft/sec.

Out of about 6 different commercial brands of 500S&W ammo I’ve tried, I have discovered one brand (Armscor) to be very light. I wonder what powder they use.

[ebner glocken]

5744 is an interesting powder. My chances finding it are zero...

You can not reduce loads like that with "normal" powders, I remember talking to a Vihtavuori engineer about this, I wanted to make reduced cast 300-400 grain 470 NE loads. 5744 is great for that. He called me back the next day with data for Vihtavuori powders but you can't go below 67% fill even with N120.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2183114906

[cleah]

OK guys. I've read enough to be confused and now know enough to be dangerous. I have the 8 3/8" barrel S&W 500 magnum. I have been using it with the Lee 440 gr bullet with gas check, rifle primer and 10.0 gr of Trail Boss. It is fun and comfortable enough for several cylinder loads of single handed. I just bought the MP Molds die for the 700 gr, and the two hollow-points (round and pentagonal). From what I have read about Trail Boss, and my experience to date (about 30 rounds), it seems pleasant enough. Any advice is very much welcomed regarding charge for all four bullets. I am looking for a fun experience, i.e. max safe loads.