"Best" powder(s) for 500 S&W

[wlc]

I know "best" is subjective, so here goes... I've got a T/C Encore rifle with a 20" 500 S&W barrel on it right now. I've cast up some 440gr keith boolits from MiHecs 501-440 cramer mold. My solids are dropping right at 445 grains sized(.501) and lubed. I don't really want barnburners, but looking for a good solid hunting/plinking type load that doesn't abuse my shoulder after only a few rounds. I've got A1680, W296, Lil' gun, and RL7 on hand. What say you on the "best" powder, even if its not one of the ones I have. Thanks!!!!!!

[375RUGER]

the 1680, lil' gun and 296 will give you full power loads.
Unique is good, start at 9g and work up to where you want it.
I've loaded 100% density of BL(C)-2, WC844, WC846 under 420ish boolits. All the powder doesn't burn. Didn't have that problem with the larger boolits that I noticed. Velocities were in the 900fps range with these.

[Foxcatcher]

I have used Lil' Gun and Titegroup with 440 hard cast and 400 gn rs lead. Lil' Gun is used in my hunting rounds for a hot load that reaches 1800 fps. Titegroup for the 400 gn. plinkers.

Don

[475/480]

For a good medium strong load I use AA1680.


Sean

[scarry scarney]

for fun plinkers (on revolver), Ive used Trailboss.

[Spawn-Inc]

for fun plinkers (on revolver), Ive used Trailboss.

+1, otherwise lil,gun and w296/h110 for full power loads out of my 6.5" revolver.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I know "best" is subjective, so here goes... I've got a T/C Encore rifle with a 20" 500 S&W barrel on it right now. I've cast up some 440gr keith boolits from MiHecs 501-440 cramer mold. My solids are dropping right at 445 grains sized(.501) and lubed. I don't really want barnburners, but looking for a good solid hunting/plinking type load that doesn't abuse my shoulder after only a few rounds. I've got A1680, W296, Lil' gun, and RL7 on hand. What say you on the "best" powder, even if its not one of the ones I have. Thanks!!!!!!

BEST POWDER: H110/W296 follow the data in the manuals...do not down load with these powders.

Plinker's ??? drag out a 44 mag and shoot that.

[41 mag fan]

In my 500 best powdwrs i've found are in order.....Lil Gun, Titegroup, H110, AA1680.
All have been over 440gr GC boolits

[Andrew Mason]

I love my .500 mag with H110/296

[Dieselhorses]

Forgive me for raising this this thread from the dead! but is there anyone out there loading a 340 gr hard cast/powder-coated plain base and what powder are you using? Bullet is HP-NOE that casts at 338-341. TIA!

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I have loaded a 385gr RF PB with 17.0 gr of Unique (I worked up from 12gr until I got pressure signs at 17.5gr) shot in a 4" revolver.

[stubshaft]

I use nothing but Lil Gun in my 500's.

[Dieselhorses]

Still testing Unique right now up to 17 grs.. Have to pick up a lb. of Lil Gun this weekend. I've had some success with H110 and a lot with IMR 4227 with 440 grainers. One thing I noticed when using IMR 4227 at starting load of 31.5 gr's is that it almost looks like it touches the base of bullet (440 LC-RF) and going up from there may be compressed. Being it's a "pencil-lead" type of powder it doesn't settle right unless I charge from high up. But anyway, thanks again for the advice!

[kayala]

I've used couple lbs of Lil'Gun in my 500 and 460 but don't load it anymore. Partly because got scared of all the talks of excessive FC erosion, partly because after 2-3 cylinders gun becomes really HOT. Switched to AA#4100 - measures like water, can be reasonably downloaded.

[Dieselhorses]

I've used couple lbs of Lil'Gun in my 500 and 460 but don't load it anymore. Partly because got scared of all the talks of excessive FC erosion, partly because after 2-3 cylinders gun becomes really HOT. Switched to AA#4100 - measures like water, can be reasonably downloaded.

FC erosion, that's interesting. Always something that man makes that's gonna wear down. I wonder if there is a way to find out how far off it is from it's factory numbers.

[odfairfaxsub]

It was talk from freedom arms or whatever they’re called. Voiding warranty work. Wonder how they can tell without spending tons on forensic testing to turn down a 200 dollar warranty job? I don’t use lil gun bc it gets too hot too quick. I used h110 in mine. Wasn’t a big fan in the winter time but that’s what I used.

[frank505]

LilGun melted my front sight

[Petander]

42 grains of VV N120 for 425 grain plinker @ 1150 fps /4" barrel. Soft,slow recoil.

VV N110 for anything full house. I have a NOE 340 PB in the mail, will start with N110 right away.

EDIT: I use CCI 250 magnum rifle primers for cleaner brass and sure ignition.

EDIT2: 42 grains,not 40.

[Dieselhorses]

42 grains of VV N120 for 425 grain plinker @ 1150 fps /4" barrel. Soft,slow recoil.

VV N110 for anything full house. I have a NOE 340 PB in the mail, will start with N110 right away.

EDIT: I use CCI 250 magnum rifle primers for cleaner brass and sure ignition.

EDIT2: 42 grains,not 40.

I know you probably wouldn't use Ramshot Enforcer but if you did, what would you start at with your NOE mold? I examined Western Powder's:

RAMSHOT ENFORCER
275 (P) RAIN HP 42.4 1,822 49.9 2,111 47,218 1.965
300 HDY FTX 41.4 1,829 48.7 2,130 55,209 2.175
300 (P) RAIN FP 42.5 1,824 50.0 2,085 52,022 2.005
325 BARNES XPB 38.0 1,680 42.0 1,820 57,000 2.292
335 (P) RAIN HP 38.3 1,718 45.0 1,930 52,267 1.960
350 HDY XTP 38.2 1,685 45.0 1,914 55,002 1.980
350 SIERRA JHP 39.6 1,686 46.5 1,916 54,623 2.050
350 (L) MBW LFNGC 38.7 1,706 45.5 1,979 54,345 1.950
370 (L) CP WFNGC 37.8 1,670 44.4 1,898 55,069 1.995
375 BARNES XPB 33.0 1,475 37.5 1,665 57,000 2.292
400 BARNES FNFB 32.8 1,545 38.5 1,718 55,248 2.030
400 SIERRA JSP 38.3 1,632 42.0 1,749 54,416 2.045
410 (L) MBW LFNGC 35.1 1,531 41.3 1,744 54,917 2.085
440 (L) MBW LFNGC 33.4 1,476 39.4 1,659 54,730 2.105
440 (L) CP WFNGC 32.0 1,512 37.6 1,676 56,024 2.005
450 (L) MBW LFNGC 31.7 1,486 37.2 1,661 54,718 1.995
450 (L) MTB LFNGC 31.0 1,466 36.4 1,639 54,978 2.050
500 HDY XTP 28.3 1,306 33.2 1,466 52,301 2.070

The 335 gr. bullet is closest to mine (338) so I guess 38.3?

[John Boy]

http://stevespages.com/500p_2.html