.500 JRH Load data

[Richard_Otto]

Hey Guys I have a BFR in .500 JRH coming in a few weeks and I am looking for some load data.for 440-450 grain cast bullets both light and heavy. I have Brass,Ammo and load data on the way from Jack Huntington but would like some of your input as well.

Thanks for your input.
Richard Otto

[44man]

Hey Guys I have a BFR in .500 JRH coming in a few weeks and I am looking for some load data.for 440-450 grain cast bullets both light and heavy. I have Brass,Ammo and load data on the way from Jack Huntington but would like some of your input as well.

Thanks for your input.
Richard Otto
We are using a 440 gr PB with 29.5 gr of 296 and a Fed 155 primer. A 400 gr Double Tap WFNGC uses the same.
I can't help with light loads.
I would reduce to 29 gr for a 450 gr boolit.

[ole 5 hole group]

Welcome to the forum:

You might find that the 440 grain bullet in the 500JRH to be problematic relative to seating. The JRH case taper might cause a problem. A plain base bullet is a bit friendlier and if the plain base has just a slight taper to it, all the better relative to seating in the 500JRH.

When using gas checks you’ll have to crimp low into the crimp groove, otherwise you may run into problems getting the round to go into the cylinder charge holes because of that very slight bulge that the case taper will cause.

A very pleasant light load, which is fairly accurate in my revolver, uses 23.0 grains of IMR-4227, which runs right at 950fps with the WLP primer – if you use the CCI350, it may run 20fps faster.

14.0 to 15.0 grains of HS-6 is a pleasant load with the 440 grain – the bullet coasts along between 976fps to 1,033fps respectively.

Using Vihtavuori powder (VV) I use both N-110 & N-120. Using 25.2 to 27.8 grains of N-120 I get 930fps & 1,087fps respectively and the recoil is mild and both shoot very well in my revolver.

If you want to step up the loads for hunting iron clad creatures raiding the flower gardens you can go 32.0 grains of N-120, which will get you 1,235fps. 28.0 grains of IMR-4227 or 24.0 grains of (VV) N-110 will push that 440 grain pill in the vicinity of 1,250fps. 30.0 grains of IMR-4227 with the WLP primer zips along at 1,304fps. If you’re running Micarta grips on that hogleg – anything over 1,200fps will get your attention. The load 44Man mentions will run in the area of 1,300fps.

I cut the primer pockets deeper on some 500JRH cases and used rifle primers – didn’t seem to effect accuracy one way or the other and only increased velocity by 25 to 30 fps.

If you want to shoot 500 grain bullets – your best bet would be to use 500 grain Hornady jacketed XTP’s – they will seat without a problem and are accurate in my revolver. You can push those puppies along at 1,200fps if you feel the need.

[44man]

(You might find that the 440 grain bullet in the 500JRH to be problematic relative to seating. The JRH case taper might cause a problem. A plain base bullet is a bit friendlier and if the plain base has just a slight taper to it, all the better relative to seating in the 500JRH.)

This has NOT been a problem with the JRH but it is with the .500 Linebaugh. Different parent brass and the JRH is better. The Linebaugh brass thickens faster. It might be stronger but boolit seating depth is critical.

[Richard_Otto]

Hey Guys
Thanks for the info it is greatly appreciated. Has anyone used theMt.Baldy 450grain Keith or similar style.
R.O.

[Whitworth]

(You might find that the 440 grain bullet in the 500JRH to be problematic relative to seating. The JRH case taper might cause a problem. A plain base bullet is a bit friendlier and if the plain base has just a slight taper to it, all the better relative to seating in the 500JRH.)

This has NOT been a problem with the JRH but it is with the .500 Linebaugh. Different parent brass and the JRH is better. The Linebaugh brass thickens faster. It might be stronger but boolit seating depth is critical.

Yup, no issues at all seating the 440s. The 400 grain load was over 31.5 grains of 296, not 29.5. The 440 grain load runs right at 1,350 fps out of my 6.5-inch BFR.

[44man]

Yup, no issues at all seating the 440s. The 400 grain load was over 31.5 grains of 296, not 29.5. The 440 grain load runs right at 1,350 fps out of my 6.5-inch BFR.
That was the Linebaugh load.
My book show 29.5 gr. for the JRH.

[Whitworth]

That was the Linebaugh load.
My book show 29.5 gr. for the JRH.

Yes, for the 440 grain load.......

[44man]

Yes, for the 440 grain load.......
The JRH is 29.5 for the 440 gr and also for the 400 but the Linebaugh is 31.5 for the 456 gr boolit. Have to be awful careful.
I can't tell anyone to go to 31.5 in the JRH until I see what is on your load box. I can only go by what I wrote in my book to be safe.
Every one should know to load up carefully anyway.
My fear is a guy that jumps to max right off. Every boolit is different and seats different depths.
To really be safe I might have to pull one of your boolits to weigh what we loaded. Do you have any left with the 400 gr?

[ole 5 hole group]

Using gas checked HC 0.501 sized bullets that measure 0.496 from crimp groove to base causes me problems.

If I seat and crimp as I normally would, I find most rounds will not drop into the charge holes. I need to seat the bullet so the case mouth is just touching the crimp groove and 99% of the rounds will then drop in.

If the case mouth is mid-center (or higher) on the crimp groove, then the rounds wouldn't drop in. I've forced a couple in and then "pounded" them back out and in all instances, you could see the ring around the brass at the bottom of the gas check that caused the bulge not allowing the round to go into the cylinder properly.

At that point in the case is where the tamper begins. If your plain base bullets are just a hair shorter or has a very slight bevel you're good to go.

[Whitworth]

The JRH is 29.5 for the 440 gr and also for the 400 but the Linebaugh is 31.5 for the 456 gr boolit. Have to be awful careful.
I can't tell anyone to go to 31.5 in the JRH until I see what is on your load box. I can only go by what I wrote in my book to be safe.
Every one should know to load up carefully anyway.
My fear is a guy that jumps to max right off. Every boolit is different and seats different depths.
To really be safe I might have to pull one of your boolits to weigh what we loaded. Do you have any left with the 400 gr?

31.5 was the load with the 400 grain bullet......you just don't remember.

[44man]

31.5 was the load with the 400 grain bullet......you just don't remember.
You expect me to remember---ME, ME, that's funny! :drinks:

[Whitworth]

You expect me to remember---ME, ME, that's funny! :drinks:

I have no such expectations! :bigsmyl2: