Anyone got mid-range loads for the .500S&W?

[HammerMTB]

I can find lots of elephant loads, but some 950-1100FPS loads would be helpful. I'm gonna cast the 440 Lee. I'm hearing 10 of Unique (sounds low) up to 14 of Unique. All just hearsay so far. Any chrono data would be very helpful as well.
I don't think I need to throw an ounce of lead at 1500+FPS. The paper will never know the difference.

[subsonic]

I think hodgdon shows trailboss loads for the .500. I think John Taffin might have some loads on this website with Unique - http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_167_28/ai_110457290/pg_2/?tag=mantle_skin;content

[stubshaft]

I tried some Trailboss loads in one of my 500's and got an elevation deviation of 8" at 25 yds. Accuracy in my barrels was not too good but one of my friends swears by TB so I traded the three cans I had to him for Lil Gun.

Not meant to discourage you ,but be aware of the potential for drastic elevation changes.

[Whiterabbit]

I load 460, not 500. That being said, I use trailboss for reduced loads. No accuracy data at any reasonable distance. (one day, but not today.) But my point of impact shifts UP about 3 inches from 10-20 yards. I have no idea why.

I also switch bullets from high velocity (200-340 grain) to cheap-o bulk cast bullets from 200-250 grain. I can't justify loading expensive bullets to 1000 fps. :)

[subsonic]

Also check out John Ross's website.

[5.7 MAN]

26 grains 4759 is right around 1100-1200 fps with a 375 grain swc, I have used a 440 grain bullet with the same load. It should be close velocity wise.

I need to give credit to John Ross for this Load, It works well!

[John Ross]

I think Trail Boss might not be able to give you the 1000+ FPS you want with the 440 Lee. I'd stick with 4759. You can't overload a .500 revolver with it, and you'll be able to hit your target velocity easily with this powder. Start at 22 grains and quit when the recoil is where you want it.

I'd avoid Unique or any other powder where a double charge will physically fit in the case without overflowing.

[ole 5 hole group]

Staying at or under 1,000fps with the 440 grain bullet can be done with 28 grains of IMR4227, which goes 1,025fps. 30.5 grains of Vihtavuoir N120 will push the 440 grain at 998fps and 15 grains of HS-6 will do 928fps.

Like Mr. Ross advised - make sure you don't throw any double charges and life will be good.

[HammerMTB]

I to to thinking about this- which sometimes gets me in trouble....
First I went looking for something slower than Unique, so I opened up my Lee #2. Going down the burn rate chart, looking for powders I already owned, I found AA#9. Magnum pistol powder, even if it really isn't in the .500 S&W Mag class.
Then a page later was a system for interpolating loads. I found a load for AA#9 and the 440gr, but it was 1400FPS or so. So I interpolated a bit and came up with a recipe I think should work down in the 1100FPS range. I don't perceive AA#9 as near slow enough to SPE from reduced charges, so my reasoning is if I'm using less powder, not more, I'm probably OK. The one thing is, if I don't develop enough pressure for a good burn, it may be dirty. I have run into that before. Since this is all pre-work (I haven't got the gun OR ammo in hand yet, just dreaming of delivery!) I have more time to mull it over.
Any input on some related stuff? Some have put forward that they have used 50-70 data. Maybe so, but I have no 50-70 data. I do have lots of 45-70 data. Should be same case capacity, right? 70 gr by volume of 2FG? And if I use data for a boolit of 440 grains, and start conservatively, I think that would be a good starting place.
This would be a great place to try out Quickload.....




Not meant to discourage you ,but be aware of the potential for drastic elevation changes.

I know that barrel dwell time can have this effect. One reason I got a BFR is the front sight is screwed on. I hope to develop loads and corresponding sights.

I do have a high sensitivity for double charges, and would rather not work up a load that leaves that open. I visual check EVERY load, but don't want a cat-***-trophe on my watch.

Thanks to all for their input! Keep it coming!

[subsonic]

AA9 is ok around 25-30kpsi in my experience. Below that, or around that, you get a lot of powder kernals in your hair, the barrel, brass, throats... AA9 does not require mag primers for most loads, but I'm not sure about that in the .500 s&w.

[ole 5 hole group]

If you run AA1680 in the 500 you have to compress the load to make it work and that means you need to run that boolit fast. I tried slowing it down and got squibs and when I contacted AA they stated I need to compress the load in both the 500 SW and 500 Linebaugh Max - shoots very well when compressed in those calibers but if you run them at the minimum shown in their reloading manual, it'll be pretty dirty to say the least and the accracy wasn't there for me - pretty clean and small groups around the top end.