.500 Linebaugh - Any current owners?

[Hanzy4200]

I'm pretty new to magnum revolvers with my experience being limited to hot .44 mag loads. I'm considering a .500 Linebaugh. I want a fun magnum and something a little unique. When it comes to components like molds, gas checks, dies, ect, are they typically difficult to find, especially now? I know Starline has brass. For any of those who own one, are you happy with your purchase?

[Elmer Fudd]

Call John or Dustin Linebaugh and ask them.
LBT makes moulds for .510 bores the same as any other. I doubt you will be happy with any other mfg, other than NOE, Accurate, etc. John recommends LBT.
Checks direct from Gator or Sage's sells Gators.
Niche calibers often have limited production runs, as opposed to having them in stock all the time. Not a lot of demand in the huge bore revolver realm.

[Targa]

Very cool on the .500. I almost did the same thing but went with the .475 linebaugh because at the time components were a bit easier to find with more options.
Just know that If you haven’t handled one, the BFR’s are borderline comically large guns.

[lar45]

Here's mine, built by John Linebaugh.
5 1/2" Stainless, Octagon barrel, Ebony grips. Absolutely love it.

http://www.lsstuff.com/pics/500linebaugh/500l-01.jpg

http://www.lsstuff.com/pics/500linebaugh/500l-02.jpg

http://www.lsstuff.com/pics/500linebaugh/500l-03.jpg

http://www.lsstuff.com/pics/500linebaugh/500l-05.jpg

http://www.lsstuff.com/pics/500linebaugh/win-primer.jpg

[Rug480]

That's a beaut Lar

Hanz, if you can find one snatch it up, was going to get a bfr 500L myself but availability is nil now.
If going for one of the full custom Ruger platforms, I regretfully have not had the pleasure yet but understand they are on another level.

I had a 500jrh which is practically the same as the 500L, full tilt loads from that puppy were the only thing I've shot that has drawn blood for me but it was a plow handle with ill-fitting grips. I hear the new bisley grips take all the fuss out of the big bores.

Components can be hit or miss, if you cast and can get your hands on dies and brass your golden. If you don't cast, maybe look into the JRH as that's based off SW500 specs and a ballistic twin of the 500L.

Good luck, big bore cannons pull you in and won't let go.

[Hanzy4200]

That puppy is sweet! I'd love one on that level, but I cant justify the funds. They ran you what, $3.5K?

[444ttd]

i can't afford a custom revolver in 500L, so i bought a 23" MGM encore barrel.

[skook]

Hanzy,
About 10 years ago I was at a Linebaugh seminar in Cody, and John walked by and asked if I wanted to shoot his personal gun. Of course you don’t pass on an opportunity like that.
I already had a .475, and up and down the shooting line I had been watching guys split gloves, break grips, and bruise knuckles. So as I was lining up the sights with that beautiful brassy 500 Linebaugh that he carries, I gritted my teeth and flexed my elbows to be prepared for what was sure to be bone jarring recoil.
You guessed it, John’s personal gun apparently shoots mostly mid-range loads of 1000 fps or less, and it was a ton of fun to shoot!
John grinned at me and explained some of the reasons why he preferred both the .500 as well as the shorter barrel lengths, and how the combination was both pleasant to shoot and super adaptable.
Since then I’ve picked up a couple, and the 4 3/4” length with midrange 900ish loads has become my go-to gun for hiking and plinking. It shoots mostly Unique @ 10-13gr depending on the bullet, easily holding minute-of-rock/stump/rabbit.
Now, instead of just shooting a cylinder or two of boomers and being put away, these beautiful little guns have gone through thousands of cast loads, and I keep one holstered right on to my day trip belt pack.
Brass seems to last forever, casting your own bullets (300-480gr) keeps costs down, and you can’t beat the feeling of how those big 50’s load and shoot, always knowing that anytime you want you can load that cylinder up with “heavies” ��
Russ

[lar45]

I think John uses HS-6 in his moderate loads. One thing to remember is that the 500 Linebaugh is not a high pressure cartridge like the 475 is. The 475 operates at 50k, while the 500 is either 28 or 30k(memory is not what it used to be, sorry). Somebody wrote a book on Big Bore Handguns and mistakenly listed the 500 Linebaugh as running at 50K.
At one of the Seminars, John had a bulged cylinder on display at the sign in table from someone trying to run the 500 too hot.
One of the nice things about shooting the 500 is that it doesn't ring your ears like the 475 or 454, or even a hot 44 mag will do.

[Hanzy4200]

I got one! Only regret is it is a 7 1/2" barrel. I would have preferred the shorter, but the price didn't make sense. $1,100 for mine, $1,500+ for the shorty on GB. I already ordered brass from Starline. Now I need to fine dies, GC's and a mold.

[Targa]

Congrats on the gun. I would probably order these Hornady dies https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011021424 and then look for a mold with the biggest meplat as possible deserving of the sludge hammer that thing is..:D

[Three44s]

I do .44 Mag and .480 Ruger. I am very “invested” in HS 6 powder as well!

If I had a .500 I would settle on my favorite revolver powder there in a heart beat.

Three44s

[buglump]

I'm pretty new to magnum revolvers with my experience being limited to hot .44 mag loads. I'm considering a .500 Linebaugh. I want a fun magnum and something a little unique. When it comes to components like molds, gas checks, dies, ect, are they typically difficult to find, especially now? I know Starline has brass. For any of those who own one, are you happy with your purchase?

I purchased the Magnum Research BFR with Bisley grip and 5.5 inch barrel. Had to put Hi-Vis sight on front because of old eyes and had it stacking 450 grain hard cast one on top of the other until past Friday when the thing locked up. Will not cock. Cylinder will spin, loading gate opens but the gun will not cock. With less than 200 rounds put through it I am hoping this is a rare fluke. Of course Magnum Research had already closed for the day when I called so I've got an email request in to see what my next move is. Wish I had went with a John Linebaugh, Reeder or Clements on my Blackhawk frame. Would have cost a little more but I've been shooting it since 1982 with heavy .44 mag loads with no glitches. Bought this BFR to carry when I run away from home to Grizzly country and now even if they fix it I'm not going to have the confidence to carry for protection.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Sounds like maybe the hand or transfer bar is hanging up on something . Check it out yourself.

[Targa]

Did your base pin walk out on you buglump? Look at the bottom of page 14 of the BFR owners manual. I did not have mine set correctly on my BFR and it locked up the gun.

[reloader28]

Accurate makes a very nice mold. I use the 51-450C.
Johns load of 16gr HS-6 runs 1030fps in my 5.25" Blackhawk. 1050fps with a mag primer.
18.7gr 2400 is 900fps
30gr H4227 and a mag primer runs 1170fps and will wake you up but not unbearable

[white eagle]

i can't afford a custom revolver in 500L, so i bought a 23" MGM encore barrel.

I have the same set up only a 22" barrel
just took a black bear with mine
it's devastating
I do want a revo but just can't afford the price

[Iwsbull]

I have the Accurate 51-450B (drops about 460 with my mix) and the 51-480RP ( drops a bit over 490) in a BFR 7 1/2” a nice light load that is very accurate at 100 is 14.5 of HS6 with the 480.

[Hanzy4200]

Old thread of mine, but it popped up! I ended up having Tom at Accurate cute me a two cavity mold. Cavity #1 is a 350 SWC and #2 is a 500 gr FN. The 350 is decent, but the 500 gr is a tack driver. I'm shooting these mostly around 1,050 fps with Unique. The hottest I've shot are with a stout charge of W296 getting 1,600 fps. Those are serious loads in a 3.5 lb gun. I don't know what goes much beyond those, but I think they are my limit.

[Iwsbull]

Agree, I much prefer the HS6 loads to the H110, unless you are wanting to conserve primers if that is the case then they last longer when they are touching off copious amounts of H110.

[257X50]

They are a lot of fun. Shorter barrels are nice for long range too

[Snyd]

John Gallagher built this for me a few years ago. 50th Ann. 44mag Flat top, Bisleyized, 500L. John had made some Dall Sheep grips for me from some rough horn I had picked up on a Sheep Hunt. He barely got some slabs from that sad hunk of horn for the grips. Well, I couldn't leave well enough alone so I sent the gun and some horns from a Dall Sheep that I killed in the Brooks Range here in AK to Rob Rowen and he worked his magic.

I shot the heck out of the gun, killed a moose with it, and wanted a couple things done to it so I contacted John and sent it to him. Well, then John then entered into the fight of his life, Lord Rest his Soul, and the work was delayed for obvious reasons. He had gotten a start on it and was working on it right up until he took that last turn for the worse. I had spoken with him just before he passed. His son Isaac then contacted me and told me that they had sent the gun to Hamilton Bowen, a friend of the family, to finish it up. I am very thankful to John, Isaac and Hamilton for this. Here is a Gallagher, Bowen, Rowen 500L. To say it is special to me is quite an understatement. It will see the inside of the Rybka Tomahawk again, get packed around here in AK and hopefully draw more blood. 455gr plane base from a Ballisicast mould. Hs6 for easy shooting, a bunch of LilGun for full house loads.

https://i.ibb.co/4F1dsxp/P6060003.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/dbNYp6t/P6060024.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/W683H7q/P6060009.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/nwv6mWn/P6060011.jpg

[Cosmic_Charlie]

It sounds like a flexible round. The buy in is steep though. I can imagine how satisfying it would be to master that round.

[Lloyd Smale]

if your looking for john or dustin to do one prepare to WAIT. They are probably at least 2 years out right now. As to components today im glad i have brass that i got when it was easy to come by. Any odd brass is tough to get today. Good thing is the 500 is a low pressure round. About the same pressures as a 44 special so brass lasts a LONG time. Molds? For a few years there were tons of molds coming out for them. Seems to have slowed considerably as of the last couple years. Especially after ballistic cast went under. Gator makes checks for them so thats not an issue. But if you want a new gun and John or dustin to build it (which you should) you will have time to find brass and molds before it gets in your hand.

[Lloyd Smale]

couple 500s stainless one was the first 4 inch 500 john did. the other was an oct barreled case hardened 4 inch dustin built291004

[Lloyd Smale]

another one. this one i won at a linebaugh seminar John built 4 5/8s with grips by dustin (who does the best big bore grips made) 291005
also had a 5.5 in 500 and a 5.5 inch 475 john built.

[Iwsbull]

Would that I had the money for a custom, but I was fortunate enough to grab one of the BFR production run. I have just sent it back to BFR for them to shorten the barrel to a less cumbersome length. I do have to say that I am not sure I would get much range time if it were not for the BFR banana grip as it doesn’t punish my knuckle with every round I fire.

[Hanzy4200]

Would that I had the money for a custom, but I was fortunate enough to grab one of the BFR production run. I have just sent it back to BFR for them to shorten the barrel to a less cumbersome length. I do have to say that I am not sure I would get much range time if it were not for the BFR banana grip as it doesn’t punish my knuckle with every round I fire.

I'm interested to hear how you like that. I spoke to them about shortening my barrel as well.

[Hanzy4200]

John Gallagher built this for me a few years ago. 50th Ann. 44mag Flat top, Bisleyized, 500L. John had made some Dall Sheep grips for me from some rough horn I had picked up on a Sheep Hunt. He barely got some slabs from that sad hunk of horn for the grips. Well, I couldn't leave well enough alone so I sent the gun and some horns from a Dall Sheep that I killed in the Brooks Range here in AK to Rob Rowen and he worked his magic.

I shot the heck out of the gun, killed a moose with it, and wanted a couple things done to it so I contacted John and sent it to him. Well, then John then entered into the fight of his life, Lord Rest his Soul, and the work was delayed for obvious reasons. He had gotten a start on it and was working on it right up until he took that last turn for the worse. I had spoken with him just before he passed. His son Isaac then contacted me and told me that they had sent the gun to Hamilton Bowen, a friend of the family, to finish it up. I am very thankful to John, Isaac and Hamilton for this. Here is a Gallagher, Bowen, Rowen 500L. To say it is special to me is quite an understatement. It will see the inside of the Rybka Tomahawk again, get packed around here in AK and hopefully draw more blood. 455gr plane base from a Ballisicast mould. Hs6 for easy shooting, a bunch of LilGun for full house loads.

https://i.ibb.co/4F1dsxp/P6060003.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/dbNYp6t/P6060024.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/W683H7q/P6060009.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/nwv6mWn/P6060011.jpg

That is a gorgeous firearm, and clearly one with a lot of memories behind it. That's one to treasure.

[Hanzy4200]

I would love to hear some of the data you guys are using. When I got the revolver, I searched the net a compiled a bit of data from different places. I'm loading a 350 gr SWC and a 500 gr FN. I wish there was a place of compiled load data for new owners.

[Iwsbull]

Will do they said about a 45 day turnaround on it. If it is anywhere near as handy as my little flattop 44 special with the 4 5/8” barrel then I will be ecstatic.

[Lloyd Smale]

That is a gorgeous firearm, and clearly one with a lot of memories behind it. That's one to treasure.

galleger did two for me. A single six in 5 shot 41 special and a 5shot bearcat in 32 mag. Funny story with the 32 mag. I took it to my buddys house a couple days after i got it and we were out shooting steel with it and his daughter who was 13 at the time showed up. Shes like a daughter to me too. She fell in love with it and wouldnt put it down. I left there that day without it.

[Iwsbull]

Got it back today, hope I have a chance to touch a couple off this weekend. I will say that the hand feel is much better. They cut it to 5”. 291274

[Jim22]

I used to shoot .44 magnums including a 4" Model 29, a Dan Wesson revolver, a 4" cut down Redhawk, and a Contender. I shot them a lot. Used to compete in IHMSA. When I read about you wanting a .500 Linebaugh my right hand began aching right where the thumb attaches. The middle finger on my right hand is VERY arthritic from the trigger guards beating it up.

No more big bores for me.

Jim

[Iwsbull]

I will say that the Bisley style from BFR doesn’t bite me, but the Ruger style Bisley does. I ousted some pics about the 2 Bisleys and how much more room one offered over the other. That said I am mostly shooting HS6 loads so they are not bad, I will say the H110 loads you feel for awhile.

[buglump]

Sorry Cosmic Charlie I've been out of the loop for a while, medical issues. Yes that was the problem. Got it fixed, BFR sent me a new pin and I'm back up and running.

[buglump]

Hey Targa, thanks for the response. Been out with medical issues and first time back in a while. I checked that and it still didn't fix it but when I took the pin out and pushed with metal drift it unlocked. BFR sent me a new pin and I'm up and running. I love my Linebaugh, so much in fact I've got a Blackhawk being converted. Should be a little lighter and more compact than the BFR, having a 4 5/8 barrel put on. Experimented with loads in the time of no powder and with Alliant Steel I can throw my slugs that are dropping at 475gr accurate and without a lot of kick and flash. The mold I ordered was for 450 gr. but they're dropping heavy as well as the 500gr. cavity throwing them at around 535gr. Going to stick with 475gr for shooting out of a revolver.

[Iwsbull]

Have you ran the Steel powder loads over the chrony?

[Gibbs44]

couple 500s stainless one was the first 4 inch 500 john did. the other was an oct barreled case hardened 4 inch dustin built291004Those cylinders look huge in those frames. I have one old model vaquero that could use such a treatment. Oh well it'll wait. Silly question, but how do they shoot?

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

[TurnipEaterDown]

I've had 3 Linebaugh guns.
My first a stainless barreled 475, on a case colored Ruger Bisley. 8" barrel, no sites, 2x Burris posi lock.
I shot a Lot of 400 gr LBT LFN over 30 gr W296 F155 2" @ 50 yd for 5, and 385 gr Golden Bear JHP over 31 gr W296 F155 1.25" @ 50 yd for 5, some number of years ago.
Shot probably a dozen deer with those 2, and it dropped them quick. Was a help where I used to hunt, as I never wanted them off my friends property.
Lately this one shoots 320 LBT WFN over 22.5 gr of 2400, WLP. 1170 fps. 480 Ruger equivalent. Group as shown. I sighted it for the load after development, the group picture is from development and at the time the gun was sighted for the 400 / 30 W296 load. The residence time change shifted impact markedly.
294626

I Had a 475 Linebaugh Long barrel for a TC Encore for a while.
John Linebaugh cut the chamber for me on promise of some pressure data, after I had Bullberry in Utah (Fred Smith, now retired) make the unchambered barrel w/ a PacNor blank.
Used to shoot 400 LBT WFN, 41.5 gr WC680 @ 1600 fps 36,600 psi, or 36.5 gr I4227 @ 1850 fps 49,000 psi.
Frankly, it got to be too much for me after a while. Busted the TC grip (split it) and taught me a flinch I had to unlearn.

I do have a 500 Linebaugh Long also.
6" Blued, open sites, on a Ruger SRM.
436 gr LBT WFN (mold marked 425), used either 45 gr WC680 for 1270 fps, or 39 gr I4227 for 1410 fps (F155 primers). Hard cast, quenched enhanced WW, BHN ~ 25.
I also shot this same LBT cast of soft lead (BHN ~5) over 8.5 gr trail boss.
Picture of a 1100 lb Bison cow I shot w/ the 436 / 4227 load below. This was a few years ago...
294627

The Linebaugh guns are just wonderful pieces of work, and are worth the penny saving. Of course, I bought mine years ago when the cash was easier to come by, so I understand the cost aspect, but I don't think there are many nicer guns out there in the revolver world.
A friend of mine liked my 475 so much that he had John do a 500 (Standard) for him years ago, and his is open sites and 6", blue.

[TurnipEaterDown]

Meant to add: I never ran any GC bullets in the Linebaugh guns, and don't see any need to myself.
Everyone has their preferences though.

[skook]

Any 500 Linebaugh lurkers still following this thread?
I’m in need of a 512. Linebaugh mold, preferably multi-cavity and of the LFN style.
Can buy or can trade for other 500 or 45 colt molds.
Thanks!
Russ

[Iwsbull]

MP molds has the 525 grain with hollow point option in stock now and they make awesome bullets. 307525 next to 9mm for scale. Accurate Molds has an extensive array and can add about any configuration you want.

[Onty]

If there is a problem trigger guard smacking middle finger, these grips are solution:

https://i.imgur.com/wMgq9Jd.jpg

I think they were made by Eagle Grips https://www.eaglegrips.com/ . Personally, I would omit finger grooves and serration.

BTW, for those shooting SBH with square trigger guard:

307527 307526 307528

Quote:

"I also fitted a pair of Herrett's walnut grips to the gun that I had slimmed down and refinished to better fit my hand. When firing heavy magnum loads, these grips are the most comfortable that I have ever used. I have had them on other Super Blackhawks that I have owned, and they protect my knuckles from dislodging and flying through the air, while still allowing the sixgun to properly roll in my hand under recoil."

https://gunblast.com/Super_Blackhawk.htm

RIP Jeff, we miss you.