.500 Linebaugh - Mold and Load Suggestions?

[Hanzy4200]

I would love some recommendations for a mold. I will likely order from Accurate, as he has been good to me in the past. I've read conflicting information on gas checking this caliber. Some say it's not required, but all of the factory loads I've seen are GC'ed. Furthermore, if I go with a GC mold, where in the heck can you find a .512 GC? I grabbed the last set of Hornady dies from Graff's and ordered brass from Starline. Would appreciate some powder suggestions. My options are limited. Unique, W296/H110, and some rifle powders. Loading for a Magnum Research BFR.278201

[lar45]

That's a sweet revolver.
The 500 Linebaugh is not a high pressure cartridge like the 475 is. 28-30k vs 50k for the 475. So I would say that it doesn't need a gas check. My molds are plain based.
John's personal loads use HS6 . With the powders you have on hand you could easily load some light to moderate loads with Unique and some heavy loads with 296.
I have a 350gn mold for light stuff and friends to shoot, and a 440 for moderate to heavy loads.
Your individual loads will depend on the bullet profile you select and it's length and shank length. Once you decide on a mold, you can let us know and many hear have Quickload and can punch in the numbers to get some starting and max loads.

[Hanzy4200]

Are you sizing to .512? What is you lube choice?

[reloader28]

John likes gas checks in his guns if that means anything to you.
Mine is the 51-450C from Accurate. Plain base at 455gr and mine drop at 514 (perfect) so I pan lube and shoot them unsized.
Johns favorite load is 16gr of HS-6 and it runs 1050fps with a mag primer, 1030fps with a standard primer in my 5 1/4" barrel.
Go to singleactions.com and look up 500 Linebaugh load data. Theres a bunch there

[Lloyd Smale]

heres my take on it. If your hunting deer obviously any bullet will work. But if its truely big game get yourself an lfn at least 440 grain and my favorites were the ballistic cast 450 and 480 lfn gas. 400 and lighter bullet give poor penetration. Dont waste your time with soft alloys or hps looking for expansion. We shot a couple 1000 lb bison with 420 hps and it was a nightmare. The bullets went about 4-6 inches into the buffalo. We shot one ran after it and my buddy emptied his and i shot twice before it got sick enough to stop. We didnt really look it over well like we should have and when it was my turn i had a perfect 50 yard broad side shot and the whole deal started all over. Both of those buffalo got so hot the meat was crappy. Only fit for burger. Those big hps act just like a huge parachute. Stick with an lfn and cast it out of something north of 15 bhn. I used to use 5050 ww/lino with the 450 and 480 lfngcs. the ls6 load listed is a good one and will kill about anything with a good bullet. For top end loads we loaded 28-30 grains of 110 with the 450. Its a bit stiffer then John shot but John told us it wouldnt hurt a thing. Matter of fact my buddy went well about that and hes shot more linebaughs then anyone in the country including John who is one of his best friends. If you talk to John just ask about Al.

[Hanzy4200]

Thanks for the information. I don't plan on hunting anything large anytime soon. I'll likely take it out for whitetail next year. I'm planning to order two molds, one around 350 gr and the second probably between 400-500 gr. Considering most of my loads will be mid power, I'm feeling pretty confident in a PB design. On another note, I spoke to the previous owner today about barrel length. I initially wanted the 5 1/2", but for whatever reason it's selling for $400+ more than this one. He said Magnum Research will shorten and recrown the barrel for $100! I find that a little hard to believe.

[krems]

I’ve been using Gator Gas Checks on .500 Linebaugh bullets sized .512. I much prefer The short shanked .50 caliber gas check as compared to the longer shanked ones.

[Three44s]

By all means add HS6 to your powder list!

Three44s

[Hanzy4200]

Know where to get some? Lol.

[lar45]

Are you sizing to .512? What is you lube choice?

Yes, I size to .512"
I've been using Carnauba Blue and have had zero problems with it.

Glenn.

[Targa]

I have recently switched to powder coating but before that I was using Carnauba Blue as well. Really good stuff.