The Accurate Reloading Forums
BFR .500 S&W bullets
24 January 2008, 06:41
srshooterBFR .500 S&W bullets
Has anyone tried Ranger Rick's super-long nosed 610 gr bullets made for the BFR(too long for S&W 500)? How do they shoot, penetrate,etc...?

24 January 2008, 16:43
Redhawk1I have not tried the 610 gr. but I shot the 575 and 700 gr. in my BFR 500 Mag with very good results.
If you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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25 January 2008, 11:06
srshooterYeah, I've shot the 700 grainers too. They are awesome! I show them to people and they can't believe I'm shooting them out of a revolver....until they see the revolvers that is( 8" BFR & 4" S&W)! I'm glad Ranger Rick made the 610's though. Someone needs to make some long nosed bullets to fill up some of that 3.00" cylinder. OAL on the 610's is about 2.50", I think... about .850"-.90" from the crimp groove to the end. They are just a bit too long for the S&W or Taurus .500's.

14 February 2008, 08:02
RANDERSONHi,
I've shot the 700's in my 4" S&W. No issues on functioning, big issues on controllability and usefulness. They will set you free...
I was told, and corroborated on paper, that those looooooooong bullets WILL keyhole at +/- 20 yards.
Penetration tested thus far: 20" diameter pine tree, through-and-through. 4-foot diameter pine tree stopped it. Both shot at 10 yards.
YMMV, but if you have a .500, you owe it to yourself to buy a box of 700's and try them out just for the Hell of it.
14 February 2008, 22:39
boom stickwhat twist do you need for the 700's?
14 February 2008, 22:49
WhitworthThose 700s look awesome! But, they seem to be too much of a good thing. How in the world do they stabilize? Are they more of a stunt or a usable load?
"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP
If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.
Semper Fidelis
"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"
15 February 2008, 09:57
Lar45The 700's seem to shoot fine from my 4" S&W. I loaded them with 2400 to around 900 fps, it really wasn't bad to shoot. I'm sure they would flatten anything that got in their way.
Here's his contact info if anyone needs it.
http://www.lsstuff.com/ranger-rick/ Lar45
White Label Lube Co.
www.lsstuff.comCarnauba Red high speed cast bullet lube.
15 February 2008, 19:01
WhitworthDoes anyone know offhand what the twist rate is of the Smith .500? Just curious.
"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP
If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.
Semper Fidelis
"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"
21 February 2008, 03:06
Redhawk1quote:
Originally posted by Lar45:
The 700's seem to shoot fine from my 4" S&W. I loaded them with 2400 to around 900 fps, it really wasn't bad to shoot. I'm sure they would flatten anything that got in their way.
Here's his contact info if anyone needs it.
http://www.lsstuff.com/ranger-rick/
How much 2400 are you using?
If you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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02 March 2008, 10:08
RANGER RICKquote:
Originally posted by Whitworth:
Those 700s look awesome! But, they seem to be too much of a good thing. How in the world do they stabilize? Are they more of a stunt or a usable load?
Whitworth
These bullets are big at that but they do work quite well and do stablize out of the right revolver .
I have mine sighted in at 120 yards out of my scoped PC Hunter 10.5 and took a very nice 6 1/2 foot black bear at 77 yards right through the heart when hit and he did a back flip and was dead , not even a wiggle .
I will try to post a pic of him .
The 4" revolver and the ES do not stable after 28 yards from my testing , not enough barrel ..
Enjoy
RR
Practice does not make perfect !!!!!!Perfect practice makes perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOME OF THE FAMOUS 500 MAGNUM TYRANNOSAURUS THUMPERS
02 March 2008, 10:24
jwp475Ranger Rick, congradulations on the bear..
You have conclusive proof with the target and the bear..

_____________________________________________________
A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
- Winston Churchill
02 March 2008, 10:56
Lar45Excellent and congrats. Very nice!
Have you played to see how heavy of a bullet will stabilize out of the 4" Smith?
Lar45
White Label Lube Co.
www.lsstuff.comCarnauba Red high speed cast bullet lube.
02 March 2008, 11:12
jwp475Lars, I do know that S&W has produced a run of 500s with 10 twist barrels specifficaly for the 700 grain bullets, not sure if a slower twist works or not in the 4" guns. The higher speeds of RR's 10" barrel is probable why his is stabalizing in the PC revolver, unless he had a faster twist barrel installed...
_____________________________________________________
A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
- Winston Churchill
02 March 2008, 16:45
Redhawk1Lar45, I have shot quit a few 700 gr. bullets from Ranger Rick in my 4 inch S&W. The stabilize just fine. I get very good groups at 25 yards with them.
If you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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02 March 2008, 18:28
Whitworthquote:
Originally posted by Redhawk1:
Lar45, I have shot quit a few 700 gr. bullets from Ranger Rick in my 4 inch S&W. The stabilize just fine. I get very good groups at 25 yards with them.
But what happens beyond 25 yards? Does anyone know the twist rate of the standard .500 smith? Again, just curious.
Great bear, congratulations!
"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP
If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.
Semper Fidelis
"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"
02 March 2008, 18:55
Redhawk1quote:
Originally posted by Whitworth:
quote:
Originally posted by Redhawk1:
Lar45, I have shot quit a few 700 gr. bullets from Ranger Rick in my 4 inch S&W. The stabilize just fine. I get very good groups at 25 yards with them.
But what happens beyond 25 yards? Does anyone know the twist rate of the standard .500 smith? Again, just curious.
Great bear, congratulations!
I have done 90% of my shooting with the 700 gr. bullets at 25 yards. Seeing how it is my up and close gun. I did hit a bowling ball at 50 yards, but no paper shooting at that distance. As for the twist rate, I don't recall off hand.
Ranger Rick my be able to answer that better, because he shoots a lot of his heavy bullets in his 500 Mags.
If you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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02 March 2008, 19:06
WhitworthI realize that your 4-inch Smith is for up close and personal work, but was curious to see what happens beyond 25 yards to perhaps 50. I wonder if the bullets start to keyhole......again, just wondering.
"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP
If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.
Semper Fidelis
"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"
02 March 2008, 22:45
Lar45The 4" model only has about 3" of barrel with 1" of comp.
I ran a tight patch through mine and came up with 1.375" for a 1/16 turn and 1.375" for the next 1/16 turn. That would put it at 22" per twist.
I wonder if S&W's Custom shop would swap in the 10" twist barrel. How does the 10" twist do with lighter bullets like 400-500gn? (LOL lighter bullets, I guess everything is relative)
Anybody going to the Linebaugh Seminar in Cody? It's supposed to be the second week of June, 11-14th I believe. It seems like someone mentioned the 700gn bullets being shot in the penetration box, but I don't remember how they did. Anybody?
Maybe I'll move this to a new topic so as to not

Lar45
White Label Lube Co.
www.lsstuff.comCarnauba Red high speed cast bullet lube.
02 March 2008, 23:20
Redhawk1quote:
Originally posted by Whitworth:
I realize that your 4-inch Smith is for up close and personal work, but was curious to see what happens beyond 25 yards to perhaps 50. I wonder if the bullets start to keyhole......again, just wondering.
Whitworth, I will load some up and go out and see what I come up with at 50 yards. Now I have shot the 575 gr. from Ranger Rick with my S&W 500 8 5/8 and 4 inch barrel's at 50 yards and got very good groups. Both handled the heavy bullets well and no keyholes.
If you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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03 March 2008, 01:12
WhitworthThat's great! Look forward to reading about your results -- thanks for indulging me.
"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP
If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.
Semper Fidelis
"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"
04 March 2008, 03:20
Redhawk1Whitworth, I got 30 of the 700 gr. bullets loaded up. I will be going to the range and shoot them at 50 yards. I will give you some feedback some time this week.
If you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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04 March 2008, 03:23
WhitworthThat's great! Looking forward to seeing the results. Man, that is a HUGE bullet!
"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP
If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.
Semper Fidelis
"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"
04 March 2008, 03:26
jwp475Try some at 100 yards or farther....
_____________________________________________________
A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
- Winston Churchill
04 March 2008, 03:33
Redhawk1quote:
Originally posted by Whitworth:
That's great! Looking forward to seeing the results. Man, that is a HUGE bullet!
I will shoot some in my BFR 500 Mag and some in my 4 inch S&W 500 Mag. Thank god for them Past shooting gloves. lol

If you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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04 March 2008, 04:57
WhitworthI would imagine the BFR is a lot worse from a recoil standpoint despite the fact that it is an SA revolver.
"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP
If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.
Semper Fidelis
"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"
04 March 2008, 05:15
Redhawk1quote:
Originally posted by Whitworth:
I would imagine the BFR is a lot worse from a recoil standpoint despite the fact that it is an SA revolver.
You got that right..

If you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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04 March 2008, 05:22
jwp475You want recoil check this out, 50 Alaskan Revolver
_____________________________________________________
A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
- Winston Churchill
04 March 2008, 05:33
Redhawk1After already shooting the 700 gr. bullets in my 4 inch 500 Mag, the 500 Alaskan is not my idea of a fun day of shooting.
If you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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04 March 2008, 06:55
WhitworthThat .500 Alaskan is brutal! And I understand that MS Hitman has a higher tolerance to recoil than most! That thing would have creased my forehead!

"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP
If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.
Semper Fidelis
"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"
04 March 2008, 18:18
Whitworthjwp -- give us the specifics (bullet weight, speed, etc.) of that load in the .50 Alaskan. It looks painful.......
"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP
If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.
Semper Fidelis
"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"
04 March 2008, 19:01
jwp475525 grain bullet at just under 1600 FPS
_____________________________________________________
A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
- Winston Churchill
04 March 2008, 19:54
WhitworthBrutal! Do you have a photo of the ammo? How long is the case compared to a .500 Smith? Just curious.
"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP
If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.
Semper Fidelis
"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"
04 March 2008, 20:17
jwp475The 50 Alaskan case is 2.1" long at least the one that I just measured is.. The 525 can be loaded to exceed 1600 FPS and 600 grain Jacketed can be loaded to over 1400 FPS, but the recoil is just too much.... The525's as loaded by Buffalo Bore have enough recoil....
_____________________________________________________
A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
- Winston Churchill
04 March 2008, 20:22
WhitworthDoesn't sound like much fun to shoot.......

"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP
If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.
Semper Fidelis
"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"
19 March 2008, 00:20
SAFARIKIDquote:
Originally posted by jwp475:
The 50 Alaskan case is 2.1" long at least the one that I just measured is.. The 525 can be loaded to exceed 1600 FPS and 600 grain Jacketed can be loaded to over 1400 FPS, but the recoil is just too much.... The525's as loaded by Buffalo Bore have enough recoil....
I am doing a lil more with my BFR in 50/110 Conversion and it is MEAN! I am pushing the 600s at over 1400 and it definitly "stings"

...It has more room in the 2.4" case,but if I need more,I will have to get out the Really "Big Guns"! PS.The Alaskan and my 50/110 sure make even my 500Smith cartridges look so small!!
"That's not a knife..THIS is a KNIFE" !
19 March 2008, 00:25
jwp475quote:
Originally posted by SAFARIKID:
quote:
Originally posted by jwp475:
The 50 Alaskan case is 2.1" long at least the one that I just measured is.. The 525 can be loaded to exceed 1600 FPS and 600 grain Jacketed can be loaded to over 1400 FPS, but the recoil is just too much.... The525's as loaded by Buffalo Bore have enough recoil....
I am doing a lil more with my BFR in 50/110 Conversion and it is MEAN! I am pushing the 600s at over 1400 and it definitly "stings"

...It has more room in the 2.4" case,but if I need more,I will have to get out the Really "Big Guns"! PS.The Alaskan and my 50/110 sure make even my 500Smith cartridges look so small!!
Jack has loaded 600 grainers to 1400+ in the revolver in the photo, not sure why one would need them.
This was a one shot kill with complete penetration (bullet exited) with the 525 rain WLFN at 1100 FPS
from the 500 Linebaugh
_____________________________________________________
A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
- Winston Churchill
19 March 2008, 02:18
Whitworthjwp -- how much did that beast weigh?
"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP
If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.
Semper Fidelis
"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"