I got a chance to handle a new Smith 500 today at a gun shop. The pistol is awsome Seems to have enough weight that the recoil should not be too bad. It is heavier than my Ruger/Linebaugh in 500 Long so that should make it easier to shoot along with the compensator on the muzzle. The gun was there for an article the owner of the store is writing so the gun is not for sale I think this will be my next hand cannon purchase

470FAN,

I should take delivery of my new 500 Long by the end of the week. I haven't found a lot of other 500 Long shooters to compare notes with. If you have any load data you'd be willing to share, I would really appreciate it. What powder have you had your best results with?

Thanks,
Cannon

I just received a copy of the video of our hunt where there was a hog taken with an Encore chambered in the 500 S&W. Awesome damage. Entrance hole was big enough for me to put my fist into. Exit was about the same. Bullet was a 325 grain Speer. Barrel was marked SSK experimental barrel #1.

Cannon,
I haven't reloaded for my 500 Long yet. The gun came with 3 boxes of loaded ammo and I have only shot it 5 times. The load data is 42 grains IMR 4227, 415 Gr. LBT LFN and says 1400 FPS-1805 ft. lbs energy. The case is the same length as the 500 Smith.

Jim

Thanks for getting back to me, Jim. I got my gun Tuesday (see this thread.) I've put a little over 100 rounds through it so far. I'm doing most of my shooting with the Hunters' Supply 420 gr. which is pretty close to an LFN design. So far I've worked up to 40 grains of Hodgdon 4227 for a velocity of 1460 fps, and will go up from there tomorrow.

Cannon

Cannon
Atleast now I see no one should complain about 454 Casull recoil-Christ thats got to hurt!!! If you increase the charge any more you'd better be wearing a full face hockey mask!!! Barrels between the eyes definately hurt!!!

[ 05-30-2003, 19:23: Message edited by: Gunnut45/454 ]

Gunnut,

It's really not quite as bad as that photo makes it look; I was holding the gun way too loosely when I took that shot. Top loads so far are a 420 gr. LFN @ 1515 fps and a 495 gr. LFN @ 1325 fps. Both are shootable in small quantities. It does change your perspective on recoil.

470Fan,
Did Linebaugh send any load data with your gun? If so, would you mind sharing it? My email address is in my profile.
Thanks,
Cannon

[ 05-30-2003, 20:15: Message edited by: Cannon ]

Got my S/W 500 today will try to load up some 495gr (ballisticast mould) bullets and shoot them tommorrow and chronograph them,will update 6-7-03

470Fan, I have the 480 Ruger, but last I heard the 500 isn't and won't be leagal in California. And the way it looks, no 50 will be soon! And if people don't start standing up for their rights (like within the next few days) there will be an "Ammo Tax" that will amount to an additional $50 for a brick of 22's.

Phil

Back from the range,tried Lil'Gun w/495gr WFNG
Primers are WLR-Winchester Large Rifle
Brass-Jamison Int.
Lil'Gun-33.0gr-avg,1485 fps
" "-34.0gr- " ,1535 fps
" "-35.0gr- " ,1552 fps
" "-36.0gr- " ,1585 fps (MAX LOAD)
This mould has a .400 Nose Length leaves a lot of room for bullet jump,(1/4 ")?
I got to max load quicker than I thought I would. I will cast some 435gr WFNGC tonight and load them for tommorrow ,probably load some more 495gr but with 30-31-32gr Lil'Gun.
About recoil-you can not take the brake off-special tool needed (I think).shooting from bench recoil is hard on hand, seemed to come staight back into web of hand,shooting standing up recoil was more of a hard push back and up-definitely better, Trigger break is crisp ,very nice.

HI,

This is way like my gun so dam much. It is little compared to a S&W 500. I can load it with heavy ead bullets that will take out anything I want, but in a littler package. The 500 S&W is just to dam heavy and the type of barrel is so long you will have to carry it on your back. It is way over the needs for a pistel, just to heavy to be pactical. Thanks,Kev

Update- (Ballisticast Mould) 495gr WFNGC
Powder -Lil Gun
Primers-WLR -Winchester Large Rifle
Brass -Jamison Int
Lil Gun-30.0gr-1420 fps
" " -31.0gr-1442 fps
" " -32.0gr-1453
(Ballisticast Mould) 435gr WFNGC
Powder -Lil Gun
Primers-WLR-Winchester Large Rifle
Brass - Jamison Int
Lil Gun-34.0gr-1559 fps
" " -35.0gr-1577 fps
" " -36.0gr-1615 fps
" " -37.0gr-1630 fps
" " -38.0gr-1645 fps

My 2 new-.500 moulds (mountainmolds.com) came today 325gr -400gr WFNGC ,I cast about 30 each earlier will load them up and shoot them saturday.will give some data sat/sun, Sean

I shot some light weight loads today.Its kind of tough to practice with 1600 fps loads.
435gr WFNGC-(Ballisti-cast mould)
Primers WLR -Winchester Large Rifle
Brass-Jamison Int
Powder-Blue Dot-20.0gr-1212 fps
" " -21.0gr-1266 fps
" " -22.0gr-1297 fps
" " -23.0gr-1350 fps
495gr WFNGC- (Ballisti-cast mould)
Primers WLR
Brass-Jamison Int
Powder-Blue Dot-18.0gr-1110 fps
" " -19.0gr-1161 fps
" " -20.0gr-1203 fps
400gr WFNGC (mountainmolds.com)
Primers-WLR
Brass-Jamison Int
Powder-Blue Dot-20.0gr-1207 fps
" " -21.0gr-1228 fps
400gr WFNGC- " "
Powder-AA1680 -40.0gr-1260 fps
" " -41.0gr-1286 fps
At these lower velocities the S/W shoots very easy.
325gr WFNGC (mountainmolds.com)
Powder -Lil'Gun-40.0gr-1747 fps
Had a problem with this bullet, all loads 40gr-45gr velocity ran between 1741-1769 fps ,Dont know if it was because of bullet crimp or not enough surface area of bullet to create pressure (WAG).Will try heavier bullet crimp tonight and shoot them Sunday,will update.
UPDATE:6/22/03-Tried heavier crimp the velocity increased to 1808 fps w/42gr of LIL'GUN and 44gr of LIL'GUN 1828 fps still seems a little slow for 44gr of LIL GUN.

[ 06-22-2003, 21:11: Message edited by: 475/480 ]

They're in gunshops in San Diego, already, so that means they're on the Kalifornia DOJ list.

475/480: Thanks for reloading info. I be picking my 500 up monday(5day wait)................OTTO

Hey Ottomatic,got my 350gr keith type mould in wednesday (mountainmolds.com),will work up some loads w/Lil'Gun and Blue Dot saturday,Thanks Sean

475, how does that AA1680 work? I have a jug of WC680 and tried some in my 45-70 BFR and found it hard to light off. I had to go to a Fed 215 primer. I went back to IMR 4227. I can get a 405 up to 1750 without any problems.

Glenn.

I've found that AA1680 likes to be compressed before it burns well.

I had no problems with AA1680 in the 500 S/W shot good ,I have problems burning all the powder in my 475 GNR (45-70 blown out) with all powders there are grains left in barrel, tried magnum Large rifle did not really help,have been told this is very common for the 45-70.

There are some african field testing of this big S&W at the Barnes Bullet web site

http://www.barnesbullets.com/

I have a S&W on order. Was told it would take 1 to 2 months to get it. Been waiting 3 weeks already. I live on the east coast but don't understand why it takes so long to get my gun. There is no waiting period here. Unless all the first made guns went out west. don't know.

Got my S&W500 went to the range with some bought rounds and one hand load. Shot the 270gr bought rounds at a target 50 yds off. The loads were going 1600 fps. Raised the barrel 4" recoil wasn't anything to talk about. Then I fired my reload at a target 200yds off [1824fps] and hit it dead center. Didn't even notice the recoil if there was any to talk about.This is quite a gun. Weighs 5 lbs