Fun with the 500S&W

Kevin M.

Kevin M.

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
143   0   0
Location
Edmonton, Alberta
Took my 500S&W out to the range yesterday, she was begging to have a few cylinders shot from it.

I forgot how heavy this gun is.

The recoil is surprisingly manageable, much like a lightly loaded 9mm.

...


Wait, that's not what I meant at all was it, no... I meant that the recoil is surprisingly manageable if you are a 6'10, 350lb linebacker that has no feeling left in his body.

The thing is a ridiculous fire breathing monster that is a complete riot to shoot. It will leave your wrist feeling a bit limper after a few cylinders.

Accurate as heck, but when shooting full house loads, it is a real test of your shooting skills to avoid flinch while standing offhand.

Here it is next to a 45ACP S&W for size comparison.

DSC01890_zps40826f95.jpg


DSC01891_zps4e37f713.jpg


And the best 5 shot group of the day, taken at 20 yards offhand. I am very pleased with it.

DSC01892_zpsf72f3be5.jpg


DSC01893_zpsb58a072b.jpg


Gotta remember to bring a video camera to the range with me next time. Anyways, hope you enjoyed.
 
They banned my 500 at the local club. Got off about 3 shots till the range officer got concerned. I love this revolver. Big, heavy and a fire breathing monster like you said.
 
SA or DA?

My Performance center DA is silky smooth. The SA is so feather light it is kinda scary. Everyone new who ever dry fire it SA always say "That's it".

Factory load is massive recoil on the hand and pocket book ($4 a bang).
 
Ya,;)but look at the fun you're having. It does shake the cobwebs loose and with full house loads it has the ability to inflict pain at both ends:p. Even with the Hogue grips it came with, recoil can be harsh to say the least. I've 'tamed' mine down somewhat by installing a set of Jordan Trooper stocks made by Herritt's. It's still a handfull but the grips did make a significant difference. One thing I've found, anything I've pushed through it shoots well. Cast bullets, jacketed bullets, light or hot loads, they all work well for me.

IMG_1264.jpg
 
SA.

I am very fond of the super light and crisp SA pull.

I will be the first to admit that I am rubbish with any of the modern DA handguns. Give me a DA Webley on the other hand, and I can shoot that gun fast and accurate.

burnaby said:
SA or DA?

My Performance center DA is silky smooth. The SA is so feather light it is kinda scary. Everyone new who ever dry fire it SA always say "That's it".

Factory load is massive recoil on the hand and pocket book ($4 a bang).
Click to expand...
 
Nice, big holes!

Doesn't that setup on the wall scratch your guns up? Especially SS guns, I wouldn't even ask if you had a Glock up there but it looks like you are hanging them on steel hardware? Just wondering.
 
st1264 said:
Nice, big holes!

Doesn't that setup on the wall scratch your guns up? Especially SS guns, I wouldn't even ask if you had a Glock up there but it looks like you are hanging them on steel hardware? Just wondering.
Click to expand...

Most of the hooks are plastic dip coated now, just waiting to get some more of it to cover the rest of the hooks.

To answer your question, no, it does not scratch any of the guns, and I am careful regardless to lift them on and off while they are not plastic coated.
 
It's a shame that no one makes a full on wadcutter bullet for these guns. A nice clean punch at the full .500 would look even MORE impessive than the big holes with edges that fold back in.... :D

I find that one cylinder's worth is all my hands and wrists can tolerate as well. But oddly enough the gun is so large and heavy that if the loads were dropped down even 10 to 15% then likely a lot more folks could shoot more out of it without any pain or long term nerve damage... :D

And one thing I can tell you for sure. After reloading my 140 .500S&W brass then suddenly switching back to reloading 9mm it's like I'm playing with frozen green peas after handling baseballs....:D
 
BCRider said:
It's a shame that no one makes a full on wadcutter bullet for these guns. A nice clean punch at the full .500 would look even MORE impessive than the big holes with edges that fold back in.... :D

I find that one cylinder's worth is all my hands and wrists can tolerate as well. But oddly enough the gun is so large and heavy that if the loads were dropped down even 10 to 15% then likely a lot more folks could shoot more out of it without any pain or long term nerve damage... :D

And one thing I can tell you for sure. After reloading my 140 .500S&W brass then suddenly switching back to reloading 9mm it's like I'm playing with frozen green peas after handling baseballs....:D
Click to expand...

I now get my cast bullet supplies from a friend locally and from the selection available for the 500, there are a couple of 'Keith' style semi wadcutters that cut a nice clean hole.
 
What do you guys use for powder? I started out with hodgdon tight group at 12.5 grains. Couldn't hit the paper at 20 yards and recoil like a 9mm. Loading 19 now with nice tight groups right on the money :) Every one is always so surprised with how accurate it really is.
 
HIT_MAN said:
What do you guys use for powder? I started out with hodgdon tight group at 12.5 grains. Couldn't hit the paper at 20 yards and recoil like a 9mm. Loading 19 now with nice tight groups right on the money :) Every one is always so surprised with how accurate it really is.
Click to expand...

Hot loads, with cast or jacketed, H110 or W296. Moderate and/or light cast bullet loads, Unique.
 
I shot this with an almost-healed sprained wrist. Needless to say there was a bit of a setback in the healing process. well worth the experience though. Here's the holes in comparison to some .22, a few .25, .32 and either some .38 or 9.

bef5507ae5bd46563f3c071a265b4084_zps0b6cf301.jpg
 
HIT_MAN said:
What do you guys use for powder? I started out with hodgdon tight group at 12.5 grains. Couldn't hit the paper at 20 yards and recoil like a 9mm. Loading 19 now with nice tight groups right on the money :) Every one is always so surprised with how accurate it really is.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't think that a faster powder like Tightgroup is going to be the best for this sort of gun. And the pressure readings in the reloading data at the Hodgdon website confirms that a max load of Tightgroup gives a higher pressure than most other options and delivers a lower velocity at the same time. It's not by much but it's worth looking at some other powders to try.

I'm a big fan of 4227 and Unique for big loads like this. And of course full helpings of H110 for the flash show.... :D
 
BCRider said:
It's a shame that no one makes a full on wadcutter bullet for these guns. A nice clean punch at the full .500 would look even MORE impessive than the big holes with edges that fold back in.... :D
Click to expand...

If you want to cast your own bullets mountainmolds.com will make any mould you want including a wadcutter and you design it on his online bullet design program which shows how your bullet will look as you change any parameters of the bullets design. I have 3 of their moulds for my 500 they do great work.
 
I bought one for my dad's 65th. Found 3 types of factory ammo. Turns out they were a light, medium and heavy load. Dad fired one of the heavy loads and put the gun down.

A guy on my diesel forum outta California has/had a 4" barreled 500 that he hand loaded 750 grain cast bullets. As hot as he could get em. The chambers were full right to the end. Had still pictures of the muzzle flash/recoil. I'm sure it hurt to shoot.................
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom