Favorite loads for 500 S&W

[dpunch]

I Just bought the S&W pistol and would like to know the loads some of you are shooting. I have a Mihec 440 grain mold and am interested in plinking loads and heavy loads.

[ole 5 hole group]

Take a look at the Hodgdon site – many loads listed there. http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

For plinking: I’ve found 28 grains of IMR4227 with the 440 grain hardcast and the WLP primer to be an accurate load at approximately 1,020fps – if you use the large rifle primer you’ll get approximately 30fps more velocity. I haven’t found the accuracy to be lacking with the rifle primer but I prefer the WLP for everyting under 1,300fps.

You might also try 14 grains of HS-6 with the 440 grain in front of the WLP primer, as it flies @ 976fps & 15 grains moves out at 1,033fps. Extremely mild. VV N120 is a good powder for me – 25.2 grains behind the 440 grain gets me 930fps with very mild recoil and 32 grains will do approximately 1,235fps. Double check your case on the HS-6 light charges to make sure you don't have a "double" charge.

For hunting loads you really don’t need to go much over 1,000fps with the 440 grain but if your game is on the large size then moving up to 1,200/1,300fps might be in order, but the 1,600/1,700fps loads are a bit over the top IMO but if you just feel the need – go for it.

It’s a great round – enjoy yourself.