500 S&W Magnum

Quite the BBQ:). As for the 'real' thing, it's quite a handful but would definately come into it's own in the field hunting. I had no intention of getting one until I shot the one my buddy acquired. I was amazed with the accuracy, so, I needed one.

Now that I've had one for a while, anything I've put through it shoots well. Light or heavy loads with a wide range of weights in cast bullets as well as hot jacketed bullet loads. Here's mine with a set of grips I've modified for helping deal with the recoil.

SW500TheHummer.jpg


And a couple of targets showing loads and results.

scan0001.jpg


500SWtest2.jpg


I have made preliminary inquiries into going to Alaska and using it for Moose and that trip is #1 on the list, after luck on the 649.
 
Holy crap! That thing can shoot!

Does anyone shoot metallic silhouette anymore John? That thing would be right at home knocking over the heavy rams at 200...!
 
Yes, as I mentioned, virtually anything put through it does well. With the targets I posted, that load testing got considerable help from a selection of bean bags on a shooting bench.

Some time back I did a little in the way of silhouette shooting and I think some is still done at a couple of clubs nearby. Back then, for what little of that shooting I did, I used a S&W model 29. That didn't have any trouble knocking the targets down so it would be a breeze for the 500.
 
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That thing cook and kill at the same time :eek:
Completely Stupid that we cannot hunt with it. It is the only true Hunting dedicated weapon ... imagine From the barrel to your plate :bigHug:
 
volks_r_us said:
That thing cook and kill at the same time :eek:
Completely Stupid that we cannot hunt with it. It is the only true Hunting dedicated weapon ... imagine From the barrel to your plate :bigHug:
Click to expand...

ha:Good one. With some of the powder choices in combination, especially with some of the lighter bullets available, there is a formidable amount of flame that it belches out.

I've mentioned it previously but even with the Hogue grips it comes with, it still has the ability to inflict pain, at both ends. I've modified and installed a set of Jordan Trooper stocks made by Herritt's and that has made the recoil somewhat more bearable/manageable. I'm guessing but I believe a single action style/design of grip might make a little easier to handle allowing the gun to roll up in your hand rather than pound straight back. I'd like to try the cartridge in say a BFR. Also, shooting double action with the big Smith is something that would be done very seldom, if ever.

Yes, it would be something to try it out hunting and it's a pity we can't. However, this Saturday after my weekly contribution to the 649, who knows. I may be headed to Alaska Sunday morning:wave:. There have been a number of good hunting articles, using the 500 S&W, in a few different publications. One such article that comes to mind, showing what the 500 is capable of is one by Mark Hampton of the American Handgunner titled 'To Africa With A .500 S&W'. There he used it on Cape Buffalo and Elephant. For me on game that size;), I'd like something bigger but if the 500 can handle that, Deer Bear and Moose shouldn't pose too much of a problem.
 
Johnn Peterson said:
Quite the BBQ:). As for the 'real' thing, it's quite a handful but would definately come into it's own in the field hunting. I had no intention of getting one until I shot the one my buddy acquired. I was amazed with the accuracy, so, I needed one.

Now that I've had one for a while, anything I've put through it shoots well. Light or heavy loads with a wide range of weights in cast bullets as well as hot jacketed bullet loads. Here's mine with a set of grips I've modified for helping deal with the recoil.

SW500TheHummer.jpg


And a couple of targets showing loads and results.

scan0001.jpg


500SWtest2.jpg


I have made preliminary inquiries into going to Alaska and using it for Moose and that trip is #1 on the list, after luck on the 649.
Click to expand...

I see groups like that and I wonder what the heck I am doing even trying to shoot a handgun!!??

I can shoot a rifle on pare with many of the best (at least not embarrass myself), but I could never do what you did with a handgun!
Can't imagine how many more tens of thousands of rounds I have to shoot before I get near that sort of accuracy...Maybe never.:(

Off to the bench to pump Mr Dillon another thousand times.:bangHead:
 
X-fan said:
I see groups like that and I wonder what the heck I am doing even trying to shoot a handgun!!??

I can shoot a rifle on pare with many of the best (at least not embarrass myself), but I could never do what you did with a handgun!
Can't imagine how many more tens of thousands of rounds I have to shoot before I get near that sort of accuracy...Maybe never.:(

Off to the bench to pump Mr Dillon another thousand times.:bangHead:
Click to expand...

Again, in my load testing with it, a good selection of bean bags to rest on has helped considerably. A local guy I now get all my cast bullets from also has a 500 S&W and I believe it was the first on in this area.

He, yours truly and a shooting buddy of mine that also has one, were all shooting them at the range one day. What I saw him pull off that day makes my load testing off of a good rest set up look like childs play. Standing on his hinde legs, using a two handed hold he poked a cylinder full of five at a propped up steel Ram silhouette @ 200 yds. I watched as, shooting single action, the first went just under and the second just over and I thought, not bad. Then the remaining three shots were hits.
 
I am in the middle of selling both my X-Frame revolvers. They seemed like fun guns at first, but the novelty of them wore off. Money for a new vehicle was head and shoulders above putting myself through the relative discomfort of shooting them. Those cannons are great for impressing strangers though!
 
Johnn Peterson said:
Again, in my load testing with it, a good selection of bean bags to rest on has helped considerably. A local guy I now get all my cast bullets from also has a 500 S&W and I believe it was the first on in this area.

He, yours truly and a shooting buddy of mine that also has one, were all shooting them at the range one day. What I saw him pull off that day makes my load testing off of a good rest set up look like childs play. Standing on his hinde legs, using a two handed hold he poked a cylinder full of five at a propped up steel Ram silhouette @ 200 yds. I watched as, shooting single action, the first went just under and the second just over and I thought, not bad. Then the remaining three shots were hits.
Click to expand...

I read your posts and I still don't shoot that well off bags...not even close!

Your buddy makes me want to take up basketweaving!
 
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