My Personal Limit

[Gibson]

Well, I have found it with the BFR in 500 S&W.

Accurate and all I want.

*- Brass
CCI 250 Primer
37 grains WC820
465 gr. Lee FN
Alloy: 50/50 Lino/WW quenched


Firm, brisk recoil. Odd but the gun shoots better, the heavier I have gone. Recall, the plate post? It was a bit lesser loading than this.

I have kept the accuracy, maybe even a bit more consistent. The gun likes it; I like it. But it's "high and pressurized".

Anyway, I shan't mention velocity. Let's just say "jowl jacking". It's a shooter though.

Do not mean to bore y'all with these posts but I love this darn handgun.

I think this will more than do for hunting.

[jmort]

You are going to be the Hubel458 of handguns.

[Cherokee]

You are happy and that is what matters. Enjoy it.....

[Gibson]

Obliged fellas.

My post is somewhat, superfluous. I just post it to add to the near plenum. :)

[runfiverun]

44 man will have some ideas on velocity and alloy that will help for hunting with the big bores.
i only have experience to the 45 caliber but he took what i had and went further, plus he has shot several more deer.
i get one per year if i am lucky.
i might get to see three in a year if things are really good.

[Gibson]

"it's all an educated guess,,,, till the trigger is pulled."

^veritas^

[fcvan]

No matter how you slice it the 500 S&W is a beast! I've fired my neighbor's with 325 and 440 grain full house loads from Buffalo Bore. Brisk comes to mind. Thank God his is the 8 3/8" model, every ounce helps. Still, you gotta love a gun that gives 1000 ft/lbs with a 440 at only 1015 fps. In that massive gun those are plinker loads. The load listed above is significantly faster than that and from what I've seen still isn't max. The capabilities of that cartridge/platform are amazing. Frank

[Gibson]

The loading I mention does better than BB or Cor-Bon with a heavier slug. 465 grains at ~1675-1700 is a chugging along. My BFR, measured their way, has a 7.5" barrel. It is a true TANK, 17-4 PH SS throughout,

You are very much CORRECT as to the platform and the cartridge. Both are very capable. I think a 600 grain bullet mold from Mountain Molds may be in order next. "tek's" pop is sending me some 700 grainers just for fun.

The BB 440 is running at 1625. Their numbers and I believe them. They have always held true in the loads that I have shot.

I may push it further but I'm really rather content with it. When you shoot between 20 and 50 rounds, everyday, the powder mounts up in that thing. Besides it is as accurate as all get out!

But you do get good with them. Then again, I'm ~300 lbs and an aging bull, so eyes aren't what they used to be.

[x101airborne]

I shot a couple cylinders of factory stuff out of a buddies 8 inch smith 500. I actually enjoyed it more than shooting my 44 mags. Of course, as long as I was standing. I found the 500 just to be a gentle shove backwards and then take a step back to stop the recoil. Now as far as "loud" goes, the 500 DEFINATELY has the edge!

[44man]

It is a great cartridge for sure, I just do not need so much and even the JRH needs a T Rex in front of it! :bigsmyl2:
The 700 gr we tested had less penetration and turned badly in test media. They left oblong holes in paper. They also take half a bucket of WW's to make one! :veryconfu Then the gun weighs a ton with a cylinder full.
Hunting thin skinned game with the S&W will need some expansion, not a lot just enough. It makes a very large hole as is but the high velocity needs slowed some as it hits deer. Open too much and you need a blotter to pick up the deer! [smilie=s: No need to gut, it is a shake and bake round.
I suggest keeping boolit weight in range, don't go too heavy or stability will go away.

[Mohillbilly]

My BFR is a beast. shot some 350's at 1600 fps and Wow ! I hit a 10 inch gong at 25 yrds . the plate was over an inch thick on a 3 ft arm and it spun real good .

[Gibson]

I shot a couple cylinders of factory stuff out of a buddies 8 inch smith 500. I actually enjoyed it more than shooting my 44 mags. Of course, as long as I was standing. I found the 500 just to be a gentle shove backwards and then take a step back to stop the recoil. Now as far as "loud" goes, the 500 DEFINATELY has the edge!

Interesting. I have a SBH, 4 5/8" barrel in .44 mag, and have run it full on, all out (see my sig) and it is not anywhere near the league of the 500. When I first got it, I shot some factory loads (Fed Fusion) and I thought it seemed less than the .44 mag with extreme loads but not now. Shooting my .44 mag on the same day, it feels like a .22LR. But it's not. Both are damn fine weapons.

[Gibson]

It is a great cartridge for sure, I just do not need so much and even the JRH needs a T Rex in front of it! :bigsmyl2:
The 700 gr we tested had less penetration and turned badly in test media. They left oblong holes in paper. They also take half a bucket of WW's to make one! :veryconfu Then the gun weighs a ton with a cylinder full.
Hunting thin skinned game with the S&W will need some expansion, not a lot just enough. It makes a very large hole as is but the high velocity needs slowed some as it hits deer. Open too much and you need a blotter to pick up the deer! [smilie=s: No need to gut, it is a shake and bake round.
I suggest keeping boolit weight in range, don't go too heavy or stability will go away.

T-Rex.

Just so happens there's a colony of those things living in my backyard! Just call me "T-Rex Exterminator" :guntootsmiley:

Hope are doing well, amigo! Wife and son are at St. Judes today, but everything is going good.

[snuffy]

Gibson, you're not boring ME! Is that 465 lee what your 440 lee mold casts out at? Mine are running @ 470 cast with the range lead I have.

As for the 700 grain boolits, mine are cast from the Miha cramer HP mold from the group buy back a couple of years ago. The "grand canyon" mold. In my 7-3/8 smith, with 296 and lil'-gun, they are stable out to 100 yards. I never have chronoed them, it's not fun to fire them from a bench. I don't trust my off-hand shooting enough to risk destroying the screens of my pact chrono. I have not tried to see if those giant HP or Penta HP would expand in test media. I think it would be difficult to recover/stop one.

http://www.reloadammo.com/500sw.htm

That's where I got most of my data.

[Gibson]

Gibson, you're not boring ME! Is that 465 lee what your 440 lee mold casts out at? Mine are running @ 470 cast with the range lead I have.

As for the 700 grain boolits, mine are cast from the Miha cramer HP mold from the group buy back a couple of years ago. The "grand canyon" mold. In my 7-3/8 smith, with 296 and lil'-gun, they are stable out to 100 yards. I never have chronoed them, it's not fun to fire them from a bench. I don't trust my off-hand shooting enough to risk destroying the screens of my pact chrono. I have not tried to see if those giant HP or Penta HP would expand in test media. I think it would be difficult to recover/stop one.

http://www.reloadammo.com/500sw.htm

That's where I got most of my data.

Hi Snuffy:

My Lee "440" bullet when GC'ed and lubed weighs 465 grains consistently. I weighed several.

The amazing thing to me is the accuracy of the gun, itself.

Want to sell the 700 grain mold? Pm me if you do. Maybe we can achieve a meeting of the minds :)

I am looking for a BFR in .475 Linebaugh, now, but I found a Ruger #1 brand new that I can get shipped here for $889. It'll take me until December 1st to have the spare cash for it, so the .475 will be after New Year's. Those T-Rex occasionally get outta hand. A dose of .458 Lott should settle them :)

Nice link. I have perused it often.

[44man]

T-Rex.

Just so happens there's a colony of those things living in my backyard! Just call me "T-Rex Exterminator" :guntootsmiley:

Hope are doing well, amigo! Wife and son are at St. Judes today, but everything is going good.
Good to hear about your son. You know I have prayers for all of you.
I want all here to also pray.

[Gibson]

Good to hear about your son. You know I have prayers for all of you.
I want all here to also pray.

.44man = a fine man in my book.

They are almost home, she called earlier and said he was sick but wanted a pretzel. "One of those big ones with the giant grains of salt". :mrgreen:

[Bagdadjoe]

"Well, I have found it with the BFR in 500 S&W.
Accurate and all I want."


Yeah, until they bring out the 550 S&W... the itch that begs to be scratched..:grin:

[44man]

.44man = a fine man in my book.

They are almost home, she called earlier and said he was sick but wanted a pretzel. "One of those big ones with the giant grains of salt". :mrgreen:
I have tears over that. I can not go on my friend. I can only say God bless.

[fatelk]

I just followed your link. Will pray for your son. I feel for you and sincerely hope he does well.

We had a scare with our 6yo a couple months ago, that turned out to be nothing serious. He has other medical issues that increase his risk of cancer, and I had it myself when he was a baby, so we freaked out when there were signs of something scary, and more so when the doctor was really concerned. I hate cancer; I really do. I don't know what else to say, other than give your son a hug and tell him he's got a lot of folks that don't even know him pulling for him.:)

[Gibson]

Amen brother.

It was a wake up call for me. I always try to raise my kids tough. Andy complained about his wrist bothering him and it was rather usual for them. They'd come and say, "dad, I 'm pretty sure I blew out a disc in my back playing basketball today." I'd respond, "that's healthy for ya, it'll toughen you". Knowing that they weren't hurt. But with his wrist he kept complaining and one night (I'll never forget this) he was sitting at the kitchen table with a blowdryer going on his wrist. He smiled and said it was the only thing that helped. He even told his teachers thst he couldn't write with the hand but they insisted he write with it (unknown to me). Finally my wife and I took him to the doctor. They put him in the hospital thinking some sort of infection was involved. I thought NOTHING about cancer. He came home and we got a call saying that a random specialist just happened to see Andy's blood work and knew it was something severe. They merely told us we were to be at St. Judes the next morning. I cried, I pleaded with God to let it be a false alarm. It was my son. I made a vow that if he went I would NOT allow him to die alone. I spent the night reassuring him and the next day was the worst day of my life.

I felt guilty for not thinking something was badly wrong. I felt like an imbecile.

My boy did not grasp the severity of the situation. But I just kept telling him all would be well. We spent 8 weeks there.

My life has been profoundly changed. I have been humbled. Brought down.

Seeing those bald headed children fight is real toughness. My God. I'm with 44man, I gotta stop. I'm sorry.

[44man]

Remember that you are here in the right place and that every single member will support you. Many did not know your situation.
Tell your son that he has thousands pulling for him. Give him a hug from all of us.
That also goes to every single member and their families with any problems. The compassion from the wonderful people here is---well you all understand, it can't be put in words.

[Gibson]

44man, snuffy:

Sheared an ERH screw on the big boy. Checked, and Midway is out of stock until the 20th. No problem. . . but I got wanted to shoot it so last evening I appropriated one from my Ruger Vaquero and used a bit of "Krazy Glue" as a weak substitute for the MRI glue, on the housing. Wiped off any excess with acetone, then later MMO.

Took it outside and shot it. It's just remarkable how well that thing shoots.

A little lifting tape on my trigger finger and some MgCO3 and let 'er rock.

The 465 at ~1700 fps is a go. I am using the Lee 440 mold and 50/50 lino/WW water quenched, it weighs 465 after GC and lube.

It CONSISTENTLY shoots well.

Yes, it is WAY more than needed but it makes smile.

First group I shot today, I set of three rounds and grabbed the binoculars. They were lined up pretty tight across the top, I adjusted and the next two were touching near dead center. 50 yards from a rest. Many go with the Bowen sights but the BFR factory sights suit me, fine.

I'll get an image up later.

I'm going to slow it down and try and get a deer with it. I'll begin work on that loading in a day or two.

Appreciate the encouragement I have gotten via pm's and on the forum.

Adieu on this thread :)

http://imageshack.us/a/img132/460/20121016211544.jpg