I am finally getting my long wanted 500 S&W 4" revolver. I'm pretty much going to be plinking paper for a while to get use to it. To make shooting affordable I am setting up to reload. I stumbled upon a company called Missouri Bullet Co. and ordered some 400 gr. hard cast non gas checked bullets from them (they were very affordable). Then I realized that I can't find loading data anywhere for it. Has anyone ever loaded that bullet or a similar one? I'd be interesteg getting jacketed bullets too, they seem to be quite a bit more expensive. The best I found is $28 for a box of a 100 300gr. Speer Gold Dot. Anything that is over 300gr. seems pretty pricy. Any suggestions?

Talking with Hodgdon a few years ago they suggested using Lil Gun for powder, just a suggestion.

"plinking paper". Check the Hodgdon site for load data. I used Titegroup powder on my 440s. Went bang, didn't hurt, and hit the paper. The paper plate could not attack me after being hit. I haven't run them over the screens; nice loading.

The site also has data for Trail Boss. I bought several cans of this to load lite loads with RCBS cast 400gr.

My favorite load with the Gold Dot 300's is 44 gr Win 296.

The 400's with no GasCheck try 30 gr H110.

I load 40 gr H110 ( or 43 gr LiLGun) under the 370 Cast Performance WFNGC.

For the 275gr Barnes Copper Flying Ash Tray try 44 gr LiLGun.

385gr Remington try 40gr LiLGun.

Or If you have any AA#9 laying around try
33gr under a Cast Performance 370 WFNGC for good all around load.

Hmm, I can't find my 440 and 500 loads right now--


OH & for the
700gr T-REX Killer try 30gr LiLGun.

(Disclaimer:: OF COURSE- these loads should all be reduced 10% before trying in a different revolver)

By the way I am brand new at reloading so I may ask some naive questions. I did look at the Hodgdon site but it appears that the 400gr bullets that they tested were all jacketed. Is it ok to use jacketed data for hard cast lead bullets? Thanks Duggaboye for sharing your favorite loads.

I believe the Missouri Bullet Company sends a sheet with load data with your bullets. You might check with them and find out.

The problem with using jacketed bullet data with hard cast loads is the resultant velocity may be excessive and result in barrel leading.

I wouldn't use Lil' Gun. There was a thread on another site where the head buy at Freedom Arms noted that the flame temperature with Lil' Gun was so high that the forcing cone on a revolver would be ruined in short order.

For light loads, you could try Trail Boss. On the Hodgdon web site, there is a page that tells you how to come up with a Trail Boss load for any cartridge. In my Encore, I found H110/Win. 296 to give the best accuracy with Sierra 400 gr. Sports Master bullets.

Lil' Gun is HOT, HOT, HOT and will never go in any of my revolvers.
I turned a .357 into a soldering iron with 12 shots.
Save it for a .410.

+1 on what Grumulkin said about temps generated by Lil Gun.

I recommend you purchase at least two reloading manuals. The .500 S&W has been around long enough for load data to be published now.

Good luck getting started and ask questions.

George1,

As to -Same powder load -different bullet-

If you read the majority of loading manuals--

Somewhere in each book you will find a paraphrase of:

-Any different Bullet whether cast or jacketed should have the load developed individually.

Why?

Pressures will be different (even in the same weight) of different bullet designs.

(and to some degree in differing chamber/barrel combinations)

As to LiLGun-

Not to create discord (and yes I have read similar reports)-

-in my 3 different 500 X- Frames I can see no evidence of throat/cone erosion.

Perhaps I will,

LilGun loads have been the staple in a number of bullet weights over many hundreds of rounds from 2003 to this date.

Your mileage may vary.

quote:

I recommend you purchase at least two reloading manuals. The .500 S&W has been around long enough for load data to be published now.

It is hard to believe, but I got the latest Speer Reloading Manual #14 it has load data only for a 350gr jacketed bullet, that's it.
I looked into 3 other manuals (latest editions before I went on spending $30-35 on them) and found out they do not even mention the 500 S&W less having loading data!
That is the main reason that I take all your feedback.

Hodgdon publishes a reloading magazine every year which goes for about $6. I'm sure you'll find more than one load in there or on Hodgdon's web site.

I have a question and it is why a 4" barrel with a .500 S&W??????. Talk about overbore capacity!
How about a .458 or .460 Weatherby with a 4" barrel? Just maybe a .50 BMG on a 4" rifle!
Some of you are funny!

Better a four-inch barrel than a ten-inch barrel IMHO......

Actually 6 or 6.5 would be just about right. At least for me.

quote:

Originally posted by bfrshooter:
I have a question and it is why a 4" barrel with a .500 S&W??????. Talk about overbore capacity!
How about a .458 or .460 Weatherby with a 4" barrel? Just maybe a .50 BMG on a 4" rifle!
Some of you are funny!

late '03 received my 8 3/8 500, also got the DeSantis bandelro style rig --

to cumbersome to flyfish with , difficult in the saddle etc , etc--

Next was the Snubbie without a brake--
Tooo little of a good thing

now I've got the braked 4" --

almost right for the center chest carry I prefer for fishing , riding, climbing etc.

A 5" to 5 1/2" with a break would be Goldie Locks I believe

quote:

I have a question and it is why a 4" barrel with a .500 S&W??????. Talk about overbore capacity!
How about a .458 or .460 Weatherby with a 4" barrel? Just maybe a .50 BMG on a 4" rifle!

You are going to hate my answer!
IT'S GOT THE LOOKS!

I called Missouri Bullet Company they do not offer load data for liability reasons

I've got the 4" also. I picked up a Galco holster for it and really like it. You can carry it cross draw or strong side with just a change of where your belt goes through.
Load Data:
My plinking load is the Lee 440 with 13gn Unique for 890fps. Your 400gn bullet will probably go 900fps with the same load.
For the 700's I use 24gns 4227 for 900fps.

I shoot the 500 in a Handi-rifle and LIL-GUN was the one for full power loads.

Trail boss is what I use for plinkers and 440 cast bullets.