HI,

I have it right this time.Since I hit on this subject a littl bit I thought I would ask if anyone here have any reloading data that they use with the 500L .I have seen reloading data on the 500 Linebaugh and of the powders I have used for other rounds and like is the win296. What other reloading powders also are good for the 500Mag, Linebaugh?. I plan on using a heavier bullet between 475-500 grains. Thanks,Kev

Kev,

There's not much data out there for bullets heavier than 450 grains but there's lots of good data with several powders in this article from John Taffin's sixguns.com: TAFFIN TESTS: THE .500 LINEBAUGH

I would be severely careful of any data provided to you for bullets that heavy. I don't know ANYONE who uses them and I know about everyone I care to know regarding the Linebaughs...from the maker to one who shot an elephant with one to the foremost collector of Linebaughs in the USA to John Taffin, etc. etc.

I honestly don't think you know what you're getting into by discussing 500 grain bullets in the 500 Max. Anyone who needs to ask these questions is way out of their league. This is serious stuff. I can't emphasize that enough. You will probably be offended by this and that is not my intention but so be it if it keeps that gun out of your face.

Having said that, Sixgunner.com is the best place bar none for learning about this and almost anything else handgun related. Just don't show up talking about 500 grain bullets...they might eat you up.

Kev,

When you'll receive your gun converted in .500 line you will receive in the same box reload datas supplied by custom gun's maker.

Or if you trust only John Linebaugh, may be you can call him to get some reload datas.

with the 475 lfn gas check i have used up to 29 grains of 110 and a couple other loads have been 15 grains of hs6 and 17 grains of hs7 all lit off with a cci 350 sorry thats all I have with big bulets other then a 505 wfn that I played with a little the most Ive shot with that one is 27 grains of 110 this is in a linebaugh made gun and these loads dont show excessive pressure signs in my gun

HI,

YUKON DELTA, Hell no I do know what the hell I am getting into. If you look at MR. Linebaugh web page he has done test with a 495 grain bullet in a 500.And if you saw MR, LLOYD SMALE post you would see he uses a 475 grain load.So I am not out of my LEAGUE have been shooting big bores for a long time and the question is not unreasonable, but reasonable.There is data out there for heavy weight bullets in the 500MAG. Thanks,Kev

HI,

I think I may have answered my own question. I just was looking at MR. Linebaughs web page under his peneration test and saw where there will be a test using a 525 grain WFN, Cast Performance.I happen to have been using this bullet today at the range in my 50-110, which chronographed at 2199fps on average and had a high of 2211 fps. I posted this on African Hunting today. Thanks,Kev

Why don't you load up that 525 in the Linebaugh and report back to us on your findings. I was there when they shot it for penetration. The best shooters in the game can't handle it well. Go ahead and disregard my comments since you already know what you're doing. Better shooters than most have broken fingers with loads like that I promise you.

I can tell that you didn't like my post. That's ok like I said before. I'm sure you DO know all about what you're getting into now that someone told you what to properly call the gun that you've ordered.

HI,

If a person loads it within reason I do not think it will be as bad you state,I know there is going to be recoil, I understand that. I have never had to much problem with recoil, the other day shot over 65 rounds from the bench with a 525 grain bullet at around 2200 fps.I think a 525 from a Bisley 500 around 1,100 or so would be okay. I will take your advice. Thanks,Kev

That sounds reasonable. Believe it or not, I'm just trying to strongly caution you. Those are bullet weights that can take you off the deep end very quickly. Be safe.

Kev, I've shot 500's from my brothers 4 3/4" 475 at 1100fps, the 400gr bullets were a bit harder to handle, both were manageable to those that shoot bigbore pistols... The bullets were seated on top of as much H110 as we could fit under them. I'll get you the load and oal if you like? The bullet takes up a LOT of room in the case.

Most guys are use to shooting 45LC's so the bigger ones are always viewed as monsters to them, oh and most probably are afraid of loading 500 grainers to begin with so have no idea what the load would be...

475LB, 500gr hardcast... heavy crimp - no cannelure. You can see the base of the bullet where the line is, it's deep.



[ 01-11-2003, 21:11: Message edited by: Brent Moffitt ]

I shoot mostly 465gr SWC out of mine, loaded with Lil'Gun for the Medium to hot stuff, and 2400 for the light-medium stuff.

I have some of the 525gr WFN's but never got any data that I trusted... so I haven't tried them. Just for plinking.

CAS, the load for this is 21gr H110 at 1.810", a top load. I like the 400gr XTP's or Gold Dots myself. The size of them after impact is just absolutely obseen!

I've shot 500's out of my 45-70 BFR. It's a much heavier gun though. They were not pleasant to shoot, but were controllable. I've shot 405's out of my 4 5/8" 45colt blackhawk around 1200 and in my 454 at 1550. The blackhawk is a lighter gun than yours will be, the recoil was stout, but manageable. I would think that if you can start on the light side with estimated velocities around 1000fps and work up slowly, then you should be able to find your recoil tolerance. I don't have a 475 or 500 yet, but have shot a buddies 475. This is just my opinion as I have no actual experience shooting 500's in a 500L.
Lar.

HI,

I forget to mention the 525 at 2200fps were from my 50-110 that MR. Clay made for me on a win 86. He does grest work.BRENT MOFFITT nice pic, I will have a 5.5 barrel on my Bisley, on MR. Linebaugh test on penetration I beleived he used a 495 and had it around 1200fps. I think that would be a lot recoil.Do you prefere the H110 over the win296 in the 500?.Thanks,Kev

hey lar45,are those velocities chronographed,45-405@1200,454-405@1550 or are those est,is your 454 a fa or srh?thanks sean

Kev, I've never seen a noticable difference between 296 and 110 so whichever's cheaper... That's in all the ones I've used them on too.

1200's pretty damn fast with a 495gr slug! Keeping your forehead off the hammer should be a challenge with that one!

[ 01-14-2003, 07:23: Message edited by: Brent Moffitt ]

475, they were chronoed. I don't remember exactly the volocity in the 45colt, but it was around 1200. I had it written down in my log book, but I've misplaced it somewhere and have started on a new one. If memory serves me right, I did get close to 1350 before the brass needed a bit of persuation to come out and noticed a hairline crack in one chamber. I got stupid and thought that bluedot might give me higher velocities instead of sticking with 296. I now have a bisley cylinder in it and have backed off on the way hot loads. I do remember exactly the 1550 from the 454 it was chronoed. I used 296 in the 454 loads. I have the Taurus Raging Bull SSmatte 6.5". It'll shoot around 2" groups at 50yds with the right ammo.
Lar.

That's cause W296 and H110 are the same exact thing. If you see any difference in loads, or load books, it's due to lot variations and nothing else.

Forgot to say, the 465 SWC's I shoot are froma 500. They too take up a lot of case but I can easily push into the mid 1300's// which is where I stop, cause it stops being fun. Could probably go higher, but I have no need or want to. They can be seen at or bought from http://www.creeker.net/. 90% of what I shoot in mine.

HI,

CAS, thanks for the information, a 465 SWC at mid 1300 fps that is smoking, what is your barrel length. Thanks,Kev

I've a 6 inch barrel on mine. 1350fps is my "hunting load" of sorts. I've gone a little higher, but never clocked them... mostly cause i didn't plan on shooting them again, cause they weren't too "fun".

Forgot to add, the ones Dry Creek sells are closer to 460grs because of harder alloy they use, but it's the same mould.

[ 01-15-2003, 02:16: Message edited by: cas ]

[ 01-17-2003, 04:22: Message edited by: cas ]

Lar45, Just how much 296 did you stuff under that 405 to get 1550 from your 454? A 325gr cast @1550 is runnin 55K imagine what that 405 was doing!! Be carefull!! One thing to remember when using these big heavy bullets for the caliber is that once you pass the balance point of case capacity per powder volume pressures will flat out take off into no mans land. H110/W296 is the best for heavy loads but stuffed into an area with to heavy a slug and little room for it to work and you may have XX amount of H110 that will have a burn rate similar to Blue dot or quicker when lit. Just thought I would pass this along. Have fun.

Jim, I used load data from my Hodgdons manual for different bullet weights, then extrapolated for the 405. I started lower than my estimate which when shot seemed safe in the gun, then I worked up in .5gn increments until things started to get past interesting. I haven't been able to find my old log book in awhile, I'm thinking one of the kids nabbed it for the cool zippered leather day planner look? I don't remember the charge, but I'm sure I was past the safe zone and stopped. With the muzzle break on the Taurus they were not bad to shoot though. I wouldn't want to try it without earplugs. I'm wondering if the muzzle could be reamed out and a small sleave inserted to cut off the muzzle break so it wouldn't be so painfully loud when hunting?
Lar.

To be honest, the phrase "seemed safe" scares the crap out of me. I used a load in another gun (a 44) for years that "seemed safe" in my gun. Shot great, never had trouble. No bad signs, no sticky brass. No bad primmers. Used it for years. I even gave the load out a few times.
Then years later (after I'd quit using it), by chance I saw what alomost that exact same load was doing CUP wise, when fired in a lab. Gulp. They'd be above SAMMI for the 454. I guess angels watch over stupid people. I don't give that load out anymore.

I here ya cas. Its that phrase "Metal Fatigue" that makes one worry when you know you crossed the line without signs. Glad your 44 and you are still ok.
Jim