Since we've been talking about the 500 S&W a bit lately I thought I'd post this. I finally got to fire my 500 over a chronograph this weekend and the velocities really weren't up to my expectations. I just thought I'd see if anyone has any insight.

I'm shooting the 350gr. Sierra's on top of 40 gr. of H-Li'l Gun out of a standard model 500 S&W (the 8 inch model). I was getting 1550 fps. Doesn't this seem a bit slow to you guys? That's 2 grains shy of maximum per Hodgdon's data, and they've got a velocity of around 1900 fps. for a max load of 42 grains, but I'm not even getting their minimum velocity. Their starting load with the 350's and Li'l Gun should atleast be in the 1600's. Should I give up on Li'l Gun and try some H-110? Lil'Gun should be faster than the H-110, but it sure as hell isn't looking like that right now!

Kingfisher,

That does seem a bit low. The last loads I developed for the 500 were with the CPB 440 gr WFN using Win 296. They topped out at about the same velocity you were getting around 1560 fps. The top load hit 1600 fps but the primer pockets were getting a little strained.

I am not sure about the 500 S&W but with the 480 Ruger, Hodgdon's velocities were tested out of a fixed breech barrel so velocities they list are several hundred fps over what you would get out of a revolver.

It would not suprise me if they did the same thing with the 500 S&W. Drop them a call and see what they say!

Good Shooting!!!

50

I haven't played much with Lil' Gun, but have been doing around 1,720 fps with H110/W296 (350 grain Sierra)......you may want to try 42.0 grains of H110 (shoots great in both my X-frame and BFR).



Lee Martin

www.singleactions.com

The short answer, NO! The 50 Beowulf is essentially the same cartridge, and with a 16" barrel I am not even close to the Hodgdon load data! They are 100 - 200 fps higher! A gentleman fired his 500 S&W over my chronographs a few months ago and none of his loads performed as advertised. I cannot recall everything he had, but I do remember some 440 gr hand loads that were ~ 100 fps slow, and buffalo bore, or some such outfit, maybe Corbon, cannot remember, but they were slow too. The most impressive thing to me was this guy shot this hand cannon with one hand!! That was because he only had one arm.

I have gotten the best results with CASES full of IMR4198! These loads will be heavily compressed but I can get over 2000 fps with a 335 grain bullet from a 16" barrel and keep the pressure down to 44,500 psi. To reduce the dramatic velocity variation I have experienced, especially with "light bullets (325 - 385 gr) I have shifted to CCI250 primers. Also, heavy bullets 420gr+ plus perform better. I can get 1500+ fps with a 420 gr bullet in the 50 Beowulf at a nice pressure of 44,300 psi, using IMR4227.

For what is worth, 42.5 grains of H110 gave me velocities of 1830 - 2040 fps in the Beowulf. I was shooting 335 grain FMJ bullets. Lil' gun was marginally better, but that isn't saying much.

Fiftydriver, if you are "straining" (I assume you mean they were permanently deforming)the primer pockets on 500 S&W brass I advise you to back that load off about 4 or 5 grains! It takes over 72000 psi to plastically (permanently) deform a 500 S&W case head!!

ASS_CLOWN

In my PC 500 Hunter 10-1/2"bll,using the 350 gr XTP -H110-40.0gr-1581 fps,so your fairly close.
Sean

Thanks for the info all. Especially Sean. That was specifically the info I was looking for. Well that's disappointing, I was really expecting more velocity. Atleast I know that everyone else is getting the same thing. I'm also going to take it to 42 gr. of Lil'Gun and see what that does for me. I'll keep using Lil'Gun now that I know everyone else is getting the same results because atleast the accuracy is good, even if the velocity isn't that great.

I thought I'd ressurrect this topic briefly and mention that the last time we talked about the 500 and I was asking about velocities, JRO45 mentioned he was getting 1900 fps. or pretty darn close with a max load (42 gr) of Lil Gun. I don't think two more grains is going to make that much difference, but I'm not used to using fast burning pistol powders so I'm hoping that the pressure goes up quickly. I was really hoping to squeeze out 1800 fps. I just order 100 more bullets from Graf & Sons today, so we'll see how it goes.

Regards,
Tom