S&W 500 reloading data requested

[snowwolfe]

Found a bunch of Cast Performance boolits for my S&W .500 in 370 and 440 grains under my work bench that I forgot were there.

Can you guys post some of your favorite loads for this grain bullets? Prefer using WW 296 as I have about 10 pounds of it. Just looking for a "medium" load for plinking.

Thanks!

[xr650]

I haven't used 296.
Will this help?
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

[69daytona]

I use Lilgun,H110, titegroup and Unique, if you need any loads for those let me know

[ebner glocken]

I've used 32-36 grains of ww-296 with the lee 440, lots of power and accurate enough.

Ebner

[TDC]

Snowwolfe,

Two of the best references on this board for 500 loads are 69daytona and Ranger Rick. Ranger Rick is well known everywhere for his experimentation with the 500 as is 69daytona.

Ranger Rick makes some of the finest boolits available for the 500 and has "real world" hunting experience with his boolits and handloads. 69daytona has all the barrel lengths of 500s and he's constantly experimenting with the 500s performance...

Both are capable of providing info far beyond those found from common reloading data sources, and both are great guys to converse with. Ya can't go wrong if they'll help you out....

[stubshaft]

I use 35.0gr 296 behind the 440 boolit in my 15" pistol barrel and 24" rifle barrel (Encore). I have to drop down to 30.5gr behind the same boolit for my 12" barrel because it will not burn all of the powder in the heavier charge.

[wilddog45]

Here is some useful information. http://www.reloadammo.com/500sw.htm

[wilddog45]

I have not used the W296 either but the info I linked above compares it to H110 which is what I use the most. But using a 440 gr as an example I like to start with the starting grains and work my way up watching preasure signs on the case and if you can get from a boom to a cracking sound check to see how hard it is to slide the case up and see how bad the primer is hammered. If both of these signs are evident then reduce by .5 gr and you are good to go. Of course this is how I determine a max load in the 500. Lots of times a lower load is more accurate.The point is to be safe and start with your starting grains and not your hot loads and you will learn a lot more about your gun.