I played around with quickload and it might be possible to develop a load that gets close to the magic 2100 fps as long as you were conscious that you are operating well above 67Kpsi. Thats pretty scary in a pistol. I have thought about making another cylinder for the S&W that could run that high. I believe that Hodgdons has some .500S&W 400gr loads that run 1900fps or just shy of it. If I could get 2100fps I'd hunt a buff with the thing!-Rob

Robgunbuilder.....I've done a few .500 Martins (.50 Alaskan necked down to .500") as well as .50 AKs on the long BFR frame. Using 10" barrels, I'm getting 1,670 fps with 505 WFNs and 1,450 fps with 690 grain hard casts. Even with max operating pressures in the low 40Ks, the guns are horrific to shoot. For all practicle purposes, the .500 S&W is all you need in a handgun.

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com

IF YOU GO to this website you will find the contact info for Kent Lomont.
He shoots more then anyone here...PERIOD.
Last conversation, Kent had 8 of the S&W .500 in varying types.
He has shot a couple of them so much he has split the forcing cone on them. He makes reloads that the factory would never authorize.

He has been shooting 2250gr bullets out of his 22 pound 4 bore at 2250fps. It has a recoil energy of 404ft/lbs.

Anyone who knows Kent will tell you 2 things. He has shot more of everything then pretty much anyone on the planet,
and
he is a very sick man when it comes to his shooting

if you can run him down he can tell you things about them that even Smith probably doesn't know.

http://www.klomont.com/

I own the S&W 500. It is an excellant gun. I have shot 3/4" 3shot groups at 100 yds with it using the 350gr bullets. Plan on taking it bear hunting this spring using the 500gr bullets at 1400 fps. I got this gun when they first came out
and have no complaints. I also put a scope on it.

You may find that with the stock .250" front sight that some heavier loads shoot high (several inches @ 50 yards). This may be a shooter mechanics thing, as I don't think every one experiences this. At any rate, if you do, contact S&W and they will send you a .300" front free, and this pretty much clears it up. The sights interchange so you can go back to the .250" for lighter, faster loads like the 350 Hornady.

Other than that, no complaints. Gun shoots great.

Jason

Darn fine gun and potent cartridge. Excellent accuracy. Nothing wrong that another 1/2 inch of case length would not fix. I'd love to see 400 grs at 2100fps.-Rob