Anyone ever try to make any? If you did, were you happy with the results?

I suppose if anyone would make them it would be Speer . I've used the 44 version which holds 1/4 oz of # 9 shot .My experience has been limited .If larger shot was used in the 500 you'd be able to shoot larger creatures.

I doubt anyone commercially loads 500 S&W shot shells because of a limited market. Go to www.gunblast.com and look up snake loads in the article archives. In a nutshell you cover the powder charge with an over the powder wad cut from cardboard with a 500 brass case with a sharpened case mouth. Load the case with #9 shot to get the shot density up. Load a 50 caliber lead ball to seal the case mouth and hold the shot load in the case. The article is for a 38 special but you will get the concept by reading it.

All shotshells in revolvers are pretty much worthless for snakes. Have to be 3-4' to be effective. Best snake load in a .500 is a 350 gr. Sierra HP. Will shoot the snake in to as far back as you are accurate.

When I was experimenting with every conceviable load in my 480, round ball, 45 acp cases et al, one thing I figured I had to try was to make a shot load for ptarmigan.

I loaded a charge of as I recall red dot, seated a gas check over the powder charge, filled the case with 7 1/2 shot, and topped it with another gas check then crimped it in place. I loaded up 5 of those rounds, and put a target at the 7yd line. I swear not a single pellet made a hole on the target!

I debated making special cylinder length cases from 45-70 brass to get a larger load of shot, and playing with card wads and other shenanigans. Then I figured having a 300 gr cast bullet at 700 fps was just as effective on small game, and could be aimed to hit the target.