.500 S&W Magnum - bullet touching tapered part...
Hi,
today I got plastic coated 400gr .501" HC bullets for my 500 S&W revolver. Bullet design is originally for .50 AE. So I can crimp it at place where it should be crimped in .50 AE or I can crimp it to another groove for longer COAL and more place for powder in the case. But when crimping to "another groove", the bullet will just be touching or a little pushed over the edge of tapered part of chamber in cylinder.
Is it safe/ok to try or avoid it? It looks like the tapered part of chamber is pretty tight (you can't pass through .500 bullet by hand).
Here is picture of bullet. Bullet design origin is lubricated HC bullet, but when coated, no lubrication is needed. That is why it is possible to think about crimping to another groove. My bullets are actually pink

Thank you for help.
Jiri
While not an expert in revolvers, I'd say that if it doesn't protrude from the cylinder you should be okay.
03 June 2016, 08:22
ramrod340quote:
While not an expert in revolvers,
+1.
If the loaded round will fit in the chamber and not protrude out the front I would "assume" it would be fine. I would be comfortable with it.
Simply start low and work up.
04 June 2016, 18:10
cgbachOn heavy recoiling hand guns you have to be careful with the O.A.L. and the crimp. If you are loading right out to the end of the cylinder and get any bullet jump under recoil you can tie the gun up. I have done this on several occasions. Start by loading a little short. Fire 5 shots and inspect the last round to see if the bullet is moving under recoil. Always allow a little room, just in case.
C.G.B.
04 June 2016, 18:30
p dog shooterquote:
Originally posted by cgbach:
On heavy recoiling hand guns you have to be careful with the O.A.L. and the crimp. If you are loading right out to the end of the cylinder and get any bullet jump under recoil you can tie the gun up. I have done this on several occasions. Start by loading a little short. Fire 5 shots and inspect the last round to see if the bullet is moving under recoil. Always allow a little room, just in case.
C.G.B.
+1
There is a lot of place from the bullet to the end of cylinder, it is not a problem.
But bullet is touching "chamber throat" in the cylinder. Throat is so tight that it needs significant force to fully push loaded cartridge into chambers.
Jiri
04 June 2016, 22:25
ramrod340quote:
Throat is so tight that it needs significant force to fully push loaded cartridge into chambers
If you are having to PUSH the loaded round into the chamber I would shorten the COAL if it were mine. Or since you have plenty of chamber length can you have the throats recut a touch longer?
ramrod340:
I have to push only with that bullet, if I want to crimp to the second groove. With tha same bullet and the first groove, there is no problem. And with Woodleighs there is also no problem (there is only one groove).
So I will load it with shorter COAL for crimping to the first groove. I am not going to push this (Ares HC coated) bullet to the max speed.
I already made loadings with 25 and 25.5gr of VV N105 and 36 and 37gr of H110. Will take it to shooting range and chronograph it. That bullets are very good quality and for only about 0.26 USD each.
Jiri
Today, I chronographed it. Muzzle to chrono distance about 6-7 yards.
25gr VV N105: 1407 fps, 1786 ft-lb, very consistent "grandpa" load
25.5gr : 1427 fps, 1836 ft-lb
36 gr H110 : 1558 fps, 2189 ft-lb average of two fired
37 gr H110 : 1552 fps, 2171 ft-lb average of three fired
I will try 38 gr too. But how it is possible to get lower velocity with more powder? Is it just deviation error (too little cartridges fired)?
Jiri