Thinking about getting the S&W .500 MAG
- Thread starter bigrigdawson
- Start date
Good point to consider ... finding ammo for the 500 can be a bugger. I reload for mine so not too big a deal but I know if you're looking for factory ammo, it's hard to find and if you do, it likely won't be what you want any way .. as in 350 grn hollow points instead of the 500grn Bear Stoppers. You're also going to spend a pretty penny for a decent holster (or go with a sling). In any event, they are an impressive firearm.
I reload all my ammo and mainly shoot gas checked cast bullets in the 400 to 500 grain range, it's not that bad to feed if you cast your own bullets because jacketed bullets are expensive as a component for the 500. I don't think that it is any worse to shoot than my 3" 629 44 Mag with wood grips loaded with 300 grain bullets. The best looking holster I have seen online is made by Galco Gunleather.
3w's.usgalco.com/HolsterG3.asp?ProductID=3042&GunID=321
3w's.usgalco.com/HolsterG3.asp?ProductID=3042&GunID=321
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I went with the 500. As has been stated, some of the components for it 'can' be a little hard to obtain but they are available as is loaded ammo. Are you reloading? If so, once you have the brass & dies, away you go. Both cast and jacketed work well and as luck would have it, a local guy that has a 500 also casts and has a variety available from 350grPB to 440grGC.
With full house loads, pardon the play on words, it can be a handful and has the ability to inflict 'pain', at both ends. There are a few good articles on hunting with it, one of which deals with a trip to Africa where it was used on a Cape Buffalo and an Elephant. I've been making preliminary inquiries on going to Alaska and using mine for Moose.
Oh, for a holster I picked up a relatively inexpensive one called a SIDEKICK shoulder rig made by Uncle Mike's. Nothing fancy but is functional and seems durable.
With full house loads, pardon the play on words, it can be a handful and has the ability to inflict 'pain', at both ends. There are a few good articles on hunting with it, one of which deals with a trip to Africa where it was used on a Cape Buffalo and an Elephant. I've been making preliminary inquiries on going to Alaska and using mine for Moose.
Oh, for a holster I picked up a relatively inexpensive one called a SIDEKICK shoulder rig made by Uncle Mike's. Nothing fancy but is functional and seems durable.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Good point and a consideration for the 460 but for the most part I'd just as soon shoot reduced loads for any given caliber. Down the road however, I wouldn't mind a 460, and a 454.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I have the 8 3/8" and you're right, a shorter barrel would be nice. I could live without the muzzlebrake as well.
- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
Have any of you folks considered a rifle instead, or are you all masochists?
Have any of you folks considered a rifle instead, or are you all masochists?
Come on John, throw down that purse and pick up a 500 S&W, you know you want one.
Have any of you folks considered a rifle instead, or are you all masochists?
A rifle probably works about as well as my Marine 870 does when it is lying next to my pack about 100 yards from where I am working.
It would be nice to have a decent sized handgun in a good chest holster as a backup when I have to do field work. I have both a 5" 44 Magnum and a 5" 460 but have yet to apply for my ATC. If you have a choice, go for something in either 460 or 500 with a shorter barrel. While it is better to have a longer sight radius for better accuracy at distance, you don't need a handgun with an excessively long barrel that hangs up on the holster as you are trying to reel it out in a defensive situation.
Exactly
I work in the Yukon in the summer way in the backcountry, no roads just helicopters and planes. I need to use my hands, can't be restriced by lugging around a shotgun.
If I do get one I will be reloading. From what I have read here it sounds like it's the gun I'm looking for. What kind loads can these things make for stopping wildlife? Thanks for the replies.
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Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Initially, loaded/factory ammo, a lot of components and reload info was somewhat scarce and hard to come by but that's gradually changing. While you may still have to scratch a little more for components than you have to do for other calibers, it is out there.
Some of the major component manufacturers, most notably Sierra, Hornady and Hodgdon, have an ever expanding line of products and reloading information being made available.
As far as bullets are concerned, in addition to jacketed there are also a number of sources of supply for a variety of cast, the ones I use I get from a local guy.
The cast bullets I get from a local guy are a 350gr PB, 370gr PB and a 440gr GC. From the lighter loads of around 860 f/sec with the 370gr PB to 1550 f/sec with the 440gr GC, accuracy has been great. I also received some cast 380gr SW from M.T. Chambers to test that worked out well with light & heavy loads.
The jacketed I have used the most for some of the 'warmer' loads are the Hornady 350gr XTP/MAG & Sierra350gr JHP with excellant accuracy results. I've also tried some of the Hornady 500gr JFP MAG but haven't formed an opinion on them yet. Once the weather warms up, I'll test them a bit more. The Sierra 400gr FPJ is another I'd like to try when I can get my hands on some. A friend has modified the Speer 325gr HP, which is made for the 50AE, and that has turned out to be very accurate for me. I contacted the tech people at Speer, informed them as to the modification made and their caution was to keep the velocity under 1500 f/sec as that's what they're designed for in the 50 AE.
There are also a number of articles that have been published on reload tests and hunting use that are very informative.
Give me a shout if I can be of any help with additional info.
