i was thinking this was the max weight bullet to send down a 500s.w. tube, how fast will it go? does anyone shoot this heavy and what are your loads. i was thinking about the heaviest bullet to get above 1,100 fps preferably 1,200 fps.

Some of these are "other peoples loads" so use with caution, but there is data for the 700gr bullet. Why are you interested in such a heavy custom bullet?

http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=500%2...Order=Powder&Source=

It looks like the point of diminishing returns is reached with the 700gr bullet. I've briefly looked at the loads listed and they all seem to follow a fairly continuous velocity versus weight curve until the 700gr bullet is reached. It really drops off the velocity scale!! Doing some quick calculations, the magic sectional density number of 0.3 is reached at 525gr. The maximum ft-lbs are reached somewhere in the 450gr range while the maximum momentum is reached at about the 600gr range. Taken these three points, along with your apparent affinity towards heavy for caliber bullets, I would opt for something in the 550-575gr range. Seems like it combines the best properties of three performance aspects the best that this caliber can.

good stuff. so 600gr. seems to be the magic number i was looking for for a sensable heavy load at a reasonable preasure and speed of 1,200 fps. does this sound right?

I think you can get the 600gr bullet up to 1200fps without much problem. A call to Hodgdon may be wise to confirm the data posted above.

that sounds good. i think the 6" raging bull will do nice even though the style is not traditional but with the porting and shorter barrel it will be packable and functional.

That sounds like a nice packer!! Taurus has come pretty far in the quality arena over the past years. That 2 inch model looks freakin awesome!! Talk about a portable hand cannon. Jam it down the throat of any critter trying to eat you... Should produce some serious heartburn

Boomstick, go to LeeJurras.com od Super Vel fame. Lee has done extensive work with the 500 SW heavy loads...........JJ

Boomstick:

Since when does Taurus make a 50 caliber? or am I missing something.

Regards... Jim P

go to their web site...they have the 500 s.w. 2" barrel and up

I have loaded and shot some of the 700 gr cast bullets in my 500. I have used primarily Lil'Gun and worked up a load. I had a ladder set up to get to 27 grains of powder but only made it to 25. Velocity was leveling off and recoil was progressing from unpleasant to truly torturous. I don't have it right in front of me, but I believe the velocities for 24 and 25 grains were 1126 and 1136 fps, respectively. This is certainly a load that does not lack for serious knock-down.

I have a RB in 454, 6.5" bbl. At 50yds I can get 3 bullets to nestle in about the same hole and the other 2 open it up to about 1.5". I do have a problem with heavy loads and the cylinder not indexing on the next shot. Like the bolt is comeing open during recoil. It looks like the Taurus 500 will be about 1 lb lighter than the S&W.
For a 2" bbl, I think I would go with the Ruger Alaskan in 480.
With that short of barrel I think the recoil will be much worse with the larger case without getting much more velocity. Too much powder to burn in a 2" tube??

quote:

Originally posted by WunderDog:
I have loaded and shot some of the 700 gr cast bullets in my 500. I have used primarily Lil'Gun and worked up a load. I had a ladder set up to get to 27 grains of powder but only made it to 25. Velocity was leveling off and recoil was progressing from unpleasant to truly torturous. I don't have it right in front of me, but I believe the velocities for 24 and 25 grains were 1126 and 1136 fps, respectively. This is certainly a load that does not lack for serious knock-down.

thats good stuff. i would probably try the 700 grainers but would probably shoot the 600 grainers. with a s.d of .343 and relative penetration of 61" and the thorinly stopping power index just making it powerfull enough for elephant cape buff rhino hippo that would be good enough, with the 700 grainers just as good with the edge to the 700s though and better s.d though. truly a safari side arm

I did some quickload simulations for the 2" and 4" 500 S&W with 500, 600 and 700gn bullets and 40ksi.
500 @ 1057fps , 1196
600 @ 929fps , 1041
700 @ 784fps , 824

quote:

Originally posted by Lar45:
I did some quickload simulations for the 2" and 4" 500 S&W with 500, 600 and 700gn bullets and 40ksi.
500 @ 1057fps , 1196
600 @ 929fps , 1041
700 @ 784fps , 824

i will need at least 6"... like my wife

What do you need 700 grains for?The little 454 Casull with a measly 360 grain cast boolit from Cor-Bon was within 2 inches in penetration of the mighty 458 Win Mag with 500 grain solids.

Ifin the 458 Win Mag can't kill it with 500 grains,I doubt any pistol is going to kill it either.

Quality(Shot Placement)--Not size!!!!!

Jayco

i sure would like to see these in balistic gelatin...i would say the 600gr. wfn @ 1300 fps would be better than the casull...but you are right about the "quality" (unless we are talking about the 22lr ect)

Mr. Stick, as I see it, going much above 500gr bullets get's a tad troublesome as I haven't found anywhere that makes them. I could very well be wrong, but the heaviest cast bullet commercially available for the 500S&W is 440gr. Hornady makes a 500gr JSP but that's about it. Going beyond that point gets into casting your own, and from what I've read, the larger and heavier your bullets are, the more difficult they are to properly cast. My point being, what can the 600gr - 700gr bullet do that lighter bullets can not? And is that reason enough to get into casting your own? With all due respect, it sounds like alot of trouble for little, if any gains...

quote:

Originally posted by ManCannon:
Mr. Stick, as I see it, going much above 500gr bullets get's a tad troublesome as I haven't found anywhere that makes them. I could very well be wrong, but the heaviest cast bullet commercially available for the 500S&W is 440gr. Hornady makes a 500gr JSP but that's about it. Going beyond that point gets into casting your own, and from what I've read, the larger and heavier your bullets are, the more difficult they are to properly cast. My point being, what can the 600gr - 700gr bullet do that lighter bullets can not? And is that reason enough to get into casting your own? With all due respect, it sounds like alot of trouble for little, if any gains...

i have had several offers to buy others heavy cast bullets...thanks guys...i have also looked at mountain molds and designed a few good ones(i think) i guess it just fits my bullet philosophy 600 gr. in a 500 s.w. will go 1300fps. great s.d. big meplat great momentum. on paper this is AWESOME

B.S. Casting your own is lots of fun. It's more economical also. Now all you'll need is to get some surplus powder and you'll be set.
WC820 at $8 a lb is my favorite pistol powder. and turns in performance real close to W296. Mine burns just abit faster, some say like AA#9

quote:

i will need at least 6"... like my wife

Which is why your neighbor Tyrone gets a jingle every time you're outa town...

Most sorry man; I fought it, but just could NOT resist! Talk about a set-up...

wow, that was clever...