Anybody load for the Smith and Wesson 500?

langfordbc

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Do you load for the S&W 500?
Preferred powder?
Powders you didn't like?
What about bullets... type and weight?
Anybody load some 700's??

Picked an 8 3/8" up a couple months ago and finally had it to the range a couple days back. Shot a box each of 300 and 500 grain rounds. Loved it.
 
I prefer to load mine with Kingsford charcoal and hickory pellets soaked in water overnight.

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I use Alliant 2400 mostly because I have so much of it. I have used N110 as well but it’s pretty expensive in comparison. I mostly use Berry’s copper plated 350gr which are reasonably priced and rated for 2000fps. Apparently Campro plans on making a projectile which I’m looking forward to. I’d like to try IMR 4227 next.
 
I use H110 and Lilgun as well. I've loaded up some 700gr Jethunter bullets, but haven't had a chance to fire them due to the whole covid thing. I weighed these, and they actually come out closer to 720gr. Lots of people say there guns won't group these heavyweights well. That may well depend on how hard you drive them. Definitely can't load them soft, or they won't stabilize. In reality these serve no purpose other than for sh!ts and giggles. But i guess thats probably the whole point of the 500, lol.
 
I'm using Berry's 350gr plated bullets, they use a heavier plating on them on think because those ones and one other pistol bullet they make aew the only ones they've certified for use up to 2,000 fps (usually I think Berry's says not to exceed 1,200 fps I think).

I started out using Longshot and it has worked very well but it's a big bang (I was also using it for 357 mag and I'm pretty sure there's less noise using H110). Burns pretty cleanly near max. I plan on trying H110 but haven't finished off my current lot.

I've also bought almost all the stuff I need for casting, so I'll be starting that soon.

These things require a very heavy crimp to keep the bullets from creeping a lot, I though I was going to split the copper plating on the Berry's bullets but it seems to be working fine. I crimp seperately from seating.

If you are local (or at least within driving distance) of Lawry's they now have to correct paperwork to import 500 S&W Mag brass from Starline thanks to the awesome guys there and your's truly for asking. They brought me in a box of 500 pieces for about 40% less than any other Canadian retailer was selling for at the time (about a year ago now), it may even be worth it to have them ship. That box will probably last me a decade or two at the rate I shoot them.
 
I need to get into casting but between work, the wife and the kids I’m lucky I have enough time to load enough to shoot once a week. Do you have trouble finding lead?
 
use large rifle magnum primers i had a couple of incidents where just large rifle's didn't give proper ignition wound up with almost a squib load most of the powder (h110) didn't burn
 
I'm using Berry's 350gr plated bullets, they use a heavier plating on them on think because those ones and one other pistol bullet they make aew the only ones they've certified for use up to 2,000 fps (usually I think Berry's says not to exceed 1,200 fps I think).

I started out using Longshot and it has worked very well but it's a big bang (I was also using it for 357 mag and I'm pretty sure there's less noise using H110). Burns pretty cleanly near max. I plan on trying H110 but haven't finished off my current lot.

I've also bought almost all the stuff I need for casting, so I'll be starting that soon.

These things require a very heavy crimp to keep the bullets from creeping a lot, I though I was going to split the copper plating on the Berry's bullets but it seems to be working fine. I crimp seperately from seating.

If you are local (or at least within driving distance) of Lawry's they now have to correct paperwork to import 500 S&W Mag brass from Starline thanks to the awesome guys there and your's truly for asking. They brought me in a box of 500 pieces for about 40% less than any other Canadian retailer was selling for at the time (about a year ago now), it may even be worth it to have them ship. That box will probably last me a decade or two at the rate I shoot them.

Thanks for the info. Sent an email to Lawry's to see if they'll ship to BC.

Do you seat and crimp with separate dies? I've only loaded rifle rounds previously, and do not crimp.

use large rifle magnum primers i had a couple of incidents where just large rifle's didn't give proper ignition wound up with almost a squib load most of the powder (h110) didn't burn

H110 seems popular, but unpopular at the same time. You're issue with primers also isn't the first I've read with that powder. I ordered some Alliant 2400 and Lil' Gun to try out.
 
I started out using Longshot and it has worked very well but it's a big bang (I was also using it for 357 mag and I'm pretty sure there's less noise using H110). Burns pretty cleanly near max. I plan on trying H110 but haven't finished off my current lot.

There'sa reason they also call it Loudshot!

Auggie D.
 
use large rifle magnum primers i had a couple of incidents where just large rifle's didn't give proper ignition wound up with almost a squib load most of the powder (h110) didn't burn

H110 is typically noted as needing magnum primers for this reason. My Lyman 49th has a footnote to use Magnum primers but oddly enough the Hodgdon online reloading center does not list that requirement.
 
Tagged for interest.

In my preliminary research 500 mag, I would probably start with Titegroup or CFE BLK as per Hogdon’s website.

Anybody have experience with these powders?

Still don’t have a 500 mag revolver but wanna get one.
 
Tagged for interest.

In my preliminary research 500 mag, I would probably start with Titegroup or CFE BLK as per Hogdon’s website.

Anybody have experience with these powders?

Still don’t have a 500 mag revolver but wanna get one.

I wouldn’t use them in 500 S&W. H110, N110, 2400, 4227, Lil Gun...
 
use large rifle magnum primers i had a couple of incidents where just large rifle's didn't give proper ignition wound up with almost a squib load most of the powder (h110) didn't burn

I would never use H110 without a magnum primer.
 
I think the reason H110 seems "popular and unpopular at the same time" is because it is the high end for that gun (and handguns in general), I can't imagine it's a "shoot all day" powder. I started with Longshot because I didn't want to start with extreme.

I was going to try Lil' gun but heard that there are forcing cone erosion issues with it (and not just in the 500... revolvers across the board), so I sold my pound that I bought to try and got the H110. I'm also wary of Titegroup because apparently some guys blew up their 500's early on due to it being such a small powder charge that it can explode rather than burn if it's not sitting against the primer (though Hodgdon has supposedly never been able to replicate this).

There are cast lead loads involving Trailboss so I'd try that if you want a light load (never tried myself, but since it looks like I'll be casting soon I may get around to it)
 
I think the reason H110 seems "popular and unpopular at the same time" is because it is the high end for that gun (and handguns in general), I can't imagine it's a "shoot all day" powder. I started with Longshot because I didn't want to start with extreme.

I was going to try Lil' gun but heard that there are forcing cone erosion issues with it (and not just in the 500... revolvers across the board), so I sold my pound that I bought to try and got the H110. I'm also wary of Titegroup because apparently some guys blew up their 500's early on due to it being such a small powder charge that it can explode rather than burn if it's not sitting against the primer (though Hodgdon has supposedly never been able to replicate this).

There are cast lead loads involving Trailboss so I'd try that if you want a light load (never tried myself, but since it looks like I'll be casting soon I may get around to it)

I hadn't come across mention of Lil' Gun and forcing cone erosion yet, but sure enough, search specifically for that and there it is. Thanks for the heads up.
 
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