Loads for a 500 S&W Handy rifle?

[broomhandle]

Hi Guys,

My pal bought a Handy rifle in .500 S&W. Have any of you gents had any experiance shooting this combo?

Thanks in advance!
broomhandle

[nes4ever69]

i have put some lyman 375 loaded with h110 and lee lube that i cast down range with it and it did ok but that was also i bought it, ran home got the ammo and my bfr, then went to the range to shoot. scope was off for that range (25 yd) and i didnt bore site it before hand.

i shot barnes xpb 325 loaded mid way with h110. very very accurate load in my bfr and this rifle. the biggest problem was cleaning the copper out after the trip to the range.

[onondaga]

Favorite load for my NEF 500 S&W:

500 S&W Mag. 253 gr. cast weight of 50 Cal Lee R.E.A.L. cast wheelweight alloy. .513" diam. sized to .501"

35.2 gr. WC820 powder,

*BPI original filler to rim of casemouth

Starline brass trimmed 1.620", COL=2.005",

1885 fps verified.

Lee Auto Disk=.95cc upper/1.46 lower disk.

Tested in NEF Handi-Rifle, 22" barrel.

Important: The WC820 is a Milsurp powder that can be loaded to H110 data but achieves approximately 11% more velocity for the same weight of powder. A charge of approximately 34 grains of H110 will give similar velocity.

The WC820 or H110 loads listed are not high pressure and are not even near Maximum but work well for accuracy with the cast/sized bullet I list here.

Source for BPI original Filler :
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=695248

*A filler is needed for good ignition in this load due to airspace related to case volume and charge volume. You can set a powder measure to dump an amount to fill the case after the powder charge is in or use a Lee scoop. This filler compresses when bullet is seated for great reliable ignition. Do not substitute a different filler.

I sight in to hit 2 inches high at 50 yards. Here is a chart:

Range Velocity Impact Drop ToF Energy Drift
0 1885 -1.81 0 0 1996 0
10 1820 -0.83 0.09 0.02 1861 0.48
20 1765 0.06 0.27 0.04 1750 0.62
30 1712 0.83 0.57 0.05 1647 0.85
40 1660 1.48 0.99 0.07 1548 1.17
50 1609 2 1.53 0.09 1454 1.59
60 1559 2.39 2.21 0.11 1365 2.1
70 1511 2.64 3.03 0.13 1283 2.72
80 1464 2.73 4.01 0.15 1204 3.44
90 1420 2.67 5.14 0.17 1133 4.27
100 1377 2.43 6.45 0.19 1065 5.22
110 1336 1.99 7.95 0.21 1003 6.27
120 1297 1.38 9.63 0.23 945 7.45
130 1260 0.55 11.53 0.26 892 8.73
140 1225 -0.5 13.65 0.28 843 10.13
150 1192 -1.78 16 0.31 798 11.65
160 1162 -3.31 18.59 0.33 759 13.28
170 1135 -5.09 21.44 0.36 724 15.01
180 1110 -7.14 24.56 0.39 692 16.86
190 1086 -9.48 27.97 0.41 663 18.8
200 1065 -12.11 31.67 0.44 637 20.83

I have lost column spacing copying the file for you but I think you can re-space it if you wish.

This load groups less than 1 inch @50 yards consistently for me or my grandson. Last seasons buck was 194 lbs dressed. A short uphill shot knocked him up into the air.

Gary

[broomhandle]

Hi Fellows,

Thanks for the replys! I'm going to send this link to him.
I hope he joins this site!:smile:

Best to all,
broomhandle

[onondaga]

Here is a bunch of other loads, some cast some jacketed, pistol loads in general go about 150 fps faster in the NEF Handi-rifle:

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=500%20SqqqW%20Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source

http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage_handgun.asp?CaliberID=61

And here is a free online calculator for reduced loads:

http://www.handloads.com/calc/reduced.asp

I use the calculator a lot with my .500 S&W. In the Reloaders Nest loads there is loads for a 250 grain bullet, cast or jacked that use a 50 cal Muzzle Loading sabot and a 45 cal bullet. These sabot loads were designed for the Handi-rifle and are hyper fast.

Gary

[C A Plater]

I have one load I can share. 40.0 grains of AA1680 pushing a 440 grain GC WFN gets me 1650 fps out of my 20" Encore barrel. Yes, recoil is substantial.