Shooting my 44 mag Blackhalk with max loads is getting tame. Yes, I reload. Very little chance of using a boomer off range, unless a stateside hog trip happens in the future. Any reason not to go big? What would owners have liked to know before buying? Any regrets? Thanks for your thoughts?
500 S&W Mag owners/shooters impressions and model advise
- Thread starter emerson
- Start date
mmcintyre1220
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Tillsonburg, Ontario
I had a 500 sold it and am buying another. I only sold it because i needed the money at the time. I originally bought the 6.5" internally compensated model. The biggest thing i did not like about it was the fact that you cant remove the comp and after a couple hundred rounds of hard cast projectiles it gets quite gunky . I was able to clean most of it out but its challenging and could never get it completely clean. I am ordering a 6.5' with the removable comp this time around. The biggest thing i found with reloading the 500 is that you must stay above the half way point between starting and max load. With Winchester 296 you want to be right around the max, even being a grain off could result in a misfire ( usually squib) as 296 does not like airspace . Trust me, hammering out a .50 cal projectile is not easy lol
mmcintyre1220
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Tillsonburg, Ontario
ie more dies,brass,projectiles,powders lol .
I THINK the 460XVR has the capability to fire .410 Shot Shells if the compensator is removed.....also If you find someone who will cut the cylinder for moon clips you can fire .45 ACP as well I think there will be just enough headspace if done correctly ID NEVER TRY IT THOUGH
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I have a 500 with the 8" barrel, no problems with lead build up on the comp but I haven't shot a whole lot threw it. like stated above yeah you can shot 3 times the amount threw a 460 but that is also 3 times the dies, brass and bullets.
I shot H110 and never had a squib. make my own bullets from wheel weights.
besides 500Mag sounds way cool.
I shot H110 and never had a squib. make my own bullets from wheel weights.
besides 500Mag sounds way cool.
I agree. Powder and projectiles can always be hard to find local, so I would stock up when available anyway. Knowing that I can always use different powder to load lighter negates the need for less powerful calibers and the need for greater variety of brass, projectiles, and dies. I don't want to be wanting to upsize again after a few dozen rounds of 460. The detachable muzzle brake sounds like a good idea to me. Thanks for all the replies.
If you shoot hard cast you will inevitably get lead build up between the muzzle brake and barrel, it's unavoidable. My 460 has gotten bad enough that I needed to put a punch through the ports and work it back and forth a bit before I could remove the brake.
- Location
- Jameson, SK
I have an 8-3/8 and find it's recoil surprisingly tolerable. It's a big heavy gun, I wouldn't choose it as a carry/combat weapon...!!!
rick'o'shea
CGN Regular
- Location
- Burlington, On
I have the performance center 500 with a 7.5" barrel, it has 1.25" compensator on it as well. My 44 is a 629-1 with the 8.375" barrel.
If I didn't reload and HAD to shoot factory loads id shoot the 500 more than the 44. The 44 is just so light and I still have the wood grips
on it so its a little meaner. I shoot the 500 better with either load.
If I didn't reload and HAD to shoot factory loads id shoot the 500 more than the 44. The 44 is just so light and I still have the wood grips
on it so its a little meaner. I shoot the 500 better with either load.
I really love my .460. Bought it over the .500 due to the ability to shoot a range of calibers. Had a chance to fire a 500 once, and recoil felt similar. Maybe a bit snappier with the .460? If you can get either for a decent price, and understand that ammo's expensive, I highly recommend them. Fun guns.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
After seeing how well a S&W 500 shot that a buddy of mine had just acquired, I decided I needed one. A short while later, I acquired an 8 3/8".
After the first initial amount of heavy loads, I found that even with the rubber Hogue grips it came with, there was a fairly intense pain felt on the inside of the knuckle of the index finger. I had an old set of Jordan Trooper stocks by Herritt's for the N-frame S&W that I modified to try and minimize that recoil effect and it worked. With full house loads, it's still a 'handful' capable of inflicting pain at both ends,
but now manageable.
With the 500, more than any other handgun calibre handgun I've ever had and reloaded for, anything I 'feed' it seems to show super accuracy. Hot loads, light loads, heavy bullets, light bullets, cast or jacketed, they all shoot well. I did notice though, with bullets over 500grs, the groups started to open up.
I don't have a 460,yet but do plan on eventually acquiring one. While it seems the flexibility it has of being able to handle a couple of other additional calibres is a draw for some, myself, I'd rather just accomplish the same by shooting lighter loads with/in the 460 cases. However, that's just me but it does give me the excuse to 'acquire' additional handguns.
After the first initial amount of heavy loads, I found that even with the rubber Hogue grips it came with, there was a fairly intense pain felt on the inside of the knuckle of the index finger. I had an old set of Jordan Trooper stocks by Herritt's for the N-frame S&W that I modified to try and minimize that recoil effect and it worked. With full house loads, it's still a 'handful' capable of inflicting pain at both ends,
but now manageable.
With the 500, more than any other handgun calibre handgun I've ever had and reloaded for, anything I 'feed' it seems to show super accuracy. Hot loads, light loads, heavy bullets, light bullets, cast or jacketed, they all shoot well. I did notice though, with bullets over 500grs, the groups started to open up.
I don't have a 460,
yet but do plan on eventually acquiring one. While it seems the flexibility it has of being able to handle a couple of other additional calibres is a draw for some, myself, I'd rather just accomplish the same by shooting lighter loads with/in the 460 cases. However, that's just me but it does give me the excuse to 'acquire' additional handguns.
For those that thirst for recoil why not consider the single shot pistols in rifle calibers? They'll rattle your teeth {so will 460/500 magnums}, but are probably easier to load for or have economically practical off the shelf options.
}, but are probably easier to load for or have economically practical off the shelf options.
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- High River, Alberta
Another one to consider is the BFR in 45-70. Big power and lots of loading options.
On the other hand it's a bigger gun and many people aren't fond of the look with that long cylinder.
On the other hand it's a bigger gun and many people aren't fond of the look with that long cylinder.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Another 'handful'.
The saving grace is the single action grip and the roll up during recoil makes it a little easier that the straight 'pound back' of that of the S&W double action grip style of the 500.
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I have a 500 S&W, an S&W 460V, and an S&W 460XVR Bone Collector. All excellent firearms, but the 460's don't compare to the 500. The 500 is extremely enjoyable to shoot. I use maximum loads with H110 and 350 grain bullets. Far less noticeable recoil than my 629 44 magnum. Nothing like disintegrating water melons or 2 litres with the 500. Everyone that has tried it just has a huge smile on their face when they are done shooting.
GD
GD
(((Echo)))
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Old Man Land, AB
Got a 460V, a PC 500 Mag and a BFR in 50AE. All of them are a ton of fun. The BFR is a little hard on the hands due to no comp.
Got the 460V first. Love the ability to shoot different loads in one revolver. Flame belching 460's or powder-puff 45 Colt.
Soon I developed a burning desire to punch bigger holes, and the BFR was purchased. Nice that it shares the same ammo as my DE, but like I said, she's a little hard on hands.
Wanting a bigger boom, the 500 mag came along. Scored a Performance Center model off the EE and have been knocking dust off the rafters at the range ever since.
Should you go bigger? I vote yes. I regret not getting the 500 sooner.
(E)
Got the 460V first. Love the ability to shoot different loads in one revolver. Flame belching 460's or powder-puff 45 Colt.
Soon I developed a burning desire to punch bigger holes, and the BFR was purchased. Nice that it shares the same ammo as my DE, but like I said, she's a little hard on hands.
Wanting a bigger boom, the 500 mag came along. Scored a Performance Center model off the EE and have been knocking dust off the rafters at the range ever since.
Should you go bigger? I vote yes. I regret not getting the 500 sooner.
(E)
