500 S&W???
 

I was wondering how many people have this monster and what the recoil is comparible to? Is it worth it? What are your thoughts on this gun.

RE: 500 S&W???
 

I do not have one, but I've shot three different versions of the Model 500 and own a Ruger SRH in .454 Casull for comparison.

I would say that the recoil is comparable to a non-ported .454 Casull shooting full power loads for MOST .500S&W loads in most of the guns configurations. The major exception is the 4" version of the M500, which kicks like a SOB with any loads, due mostly to the much lighter weight of the 4" revolver. The 440gr loads also recoiled a bit harder than a 300gr .454Casull, even with the muzzlebrake.

Overall, with the exception of the 4" M500 which was a handful no matter what, the M500's recoil also felt a bit less sharp than the .454 Casull, probably because of the much lower pressures at work in the 500S&W, and muzzle flip was definately less pronounced due to the brake. I believe this also has a significant effect on how the recoil feels, because the M500 recoils more straight back into the palm of ones hand, while my non-ported SRH tends to place a lot more recoil energy into the web which makes it feel heavier than it is.

Having shot the M500 I will admit that it is an impressive pistol, but not as severe in the recoil dept. as I anticipated. But I still don't believe that, even if I had the cash on hand, I would buy one. I feel that there are pistols that are just as good and effective as the M500 for a lot less money, as the M500 is just downright pricy. Secondly, the M500 doesn't offer a lot of flexability that, say, a .454 Casull does. The .454 Casull can be shot with low to mid-powered .45 Colt loads, making trips to the range for practice much less painful on the hand, ears (I forgot to mention that both the .454 and the .500 have A LOT of muzzle blast and noise, with the .500 being by far the worst of the two), and pocketbook. There are also a number of very good .45 Colt loads that are comparable to the .44Mag in power that would make excellent hunting loads without all the recoil and blast. This option simply doesn't exist with the .500S&W. The case capacity is really very large, making reduced loads problematic, which makes shooting full or near full power loads mandatory all the time. And in factory ammo for the .500 there isn't much to choose from, and it's all full tilt and expensive.

So, in summary, if it were me I wouldn't buy the M500 as I don't have the money to feed it enough ammo to get good with it, and I also don't want to only be limited to the hard hitting/kicking loads. Don't underestimate the value of a reduced power option in a hunting handgun. Practicing with .45 Colt makes me a much better shot with .454 Casull. With the .500 you don't have this option.

Mike

RE: 500 S&W???
 

I disagree, Mike. For one, the 500 is one of those handguns some guys just gotta have, untill they get one. I just picked up a used one, 15 shots fired, at a considerable discount. I think you will see quite a few barely used 500s on the market in the coming days.
Also, there is reduced load data for the S&W 500. Please link to M.D. Smith, 500S&W There are loads there with M.E. under 1200ftlbs. Any straight walled case can be downloaded and Dr. Smith has the data.

Admittedly, the 500 ammo is costly. I saw a box of 12 for $40. I have not and will never buy a box. It cost me about $.55 a round to load, which is still expensive, but not outrageous. When I try reduced loads with a cheaper .50 Beowulf projectile, that should go down to $.25 a pop. The best value in dies is the Lee 3 die set. The sizer is a carbide die, and load data is included, all for $19.95. I am going to replace the lock rings with Hornady lock rings, but other than that the Lee set can't be beat.

Early on, there were some issues to work out with the 500 cartridge. The 500 S&W rounds initialy were loaded with large pistol primers. I wonder about that one. With heavy loads, folks were getting pierced primers. The flame would eat up the firing pin. So then large rifle primers were used. Problem is, the pistol primer pockets were .006" too shallow, and the primers were above flush. Several sympathetic detonations occured. Exciting, I bet! Now Starline brass has primer pockets of the correct depth for rifle primers, and there is an 'R' designation on the case head. Brass with pistol primer pockets may have their pockets deepened .006" using a uniformer, with no loss in case integrity.

Glad they worked all this out, before I got one.

RE: 500 S&W???
 

1mile50,

Thank you for posting the info about reduced loads. I didn't know anyone had worked out safe reduced loads for the 500 yet, but the fact that there exist does make the .500 more appealing. I do like the Model 500's, and if they were priced a little better I'd consider one for sure. A good condition used gun is a definite option, and in te future I might just pick one up.

As a side note, could you please either make the picture you posted (a lot) smaller, or remove it from your post. It is just HUGE and I let it load for almost three minutes and it only loaded enough of the pic for me to see the H110 line on your load label before I stopped the page load. It's just too big for us dial-up users.

Thank you,

Mike

RE: 500 S&W???
 

Sorry, Mike. Better?

RE: 500 S&W???
 

I wouldn't mind to have one. I would use it for a primary weapon during gun season instead of a rifle. I think it would be a blast. But until other people jumps on this one, I would get the 454 first. I sometimes handgun hunt with a 44mag. And want a 454, because its more versitile. I can plink, I can hunt, recoil is at my limit also.

RE: 500 S&W???
 

Well I just took the plunge tonight....Just had to have one. I get to pick it up Monday night. I probably wont get the chance to put some rounds through it for a couple of weeks though.:)

RE: 500 S&W???
 

Reminds me of a show I saw, on the History Channel I think. They had a couple of guys at a range demonstrating a bunch of guns. They got to the .44 Magnum. Explained that after Dirty Harry came out everyone just had to have one. They went on to explain that after the first range trip many of the guns went back in the case and were never fired again. Apparently these folks were wholly unprepared for the experience they were going to have.

RE: 500 S&W???
 

And to think, I shoot .45 Colt loaded to .44Mag power levels as reduced power plinking loads as a relief to full tilt .454 Casull!

Mike

RE: 500 S&W???
 

My wife, she is the best, just got me a BFR in .500 for my birthday. Told the shopowner that she, about 5'4" and maybe 130, was, in fact going to shoot it herself.

I found the recoil to be quite mild, much more so than what I expected for something so big. QUite mild and comparable somewhat to some hot .44 loads I have made.

RE: 500 S&W???
 

I bought a Model 500 Hunter version from the Performance Center, a few weeks ago.
Got it at such a great price, I couldn't resist.
Plan on replacing my Winchester 7mm magnum with the Model 500 during gun season.


Sag.

RE: 500 S&W???
 

I shoot a .44 Super Redhawk, without a muzzle brake. The S&W .500 witha muzzle brake was not too much more than the .44. Nothing as it has been written up to be! I liked the .500 but honestly, I don't need any more than the .44 for whitetail. For bugger game the .480 or .454 would be more than enough! Talk about overkill, the S&W .500 is it! Not that I find anything wrong with overkill!

RE: 500 S&W???
 

If you are talking recoil, now that depends. I shot 4 of the 5- 270 grain Corbon rounds that the seller gave me with the pistol. Those compared to shooting a .44 mag. More muzzle blast, though. My own loads with 350 grain jacketed HPs had some what more recoil, but not unpleasant. My maximum charges under 440 grain HCGC projectiles are very unpleasant to shoot. Very.

RE: 500 S&W???
 

Guys,

I own a .44 Super Redhawk also.
It's a great gun and very well made.
Own a Super Blackhawk and Titanium Gold Desert Eagle in .44 too. ;)
Actually, I haven't even shot my .500 yet.
I read on the Smith & Wesson forum where light bullets with a large powder charge caused flame cutting of the top strap on one guy's gun.
This was with 325 gr bullets.
What bullet weight do you guys like and recommend ?
Have you guys experienced flame cutting on your gun ?


Sag.

RE: 500 S&W???
 

The 500 is like grabbing a whitetail by the hind foot while haveing your wife whack you across the wrist with a tortilla pin. I shoot a ruger blackhawk in 45 long colt loaded as hot as possable. My brothers 500 was ported to. And yet[&:]......I LIKED IT:)......LIKED IT ALOT:D

RE: 500 S&W???
 

Sag
I really like the big pills for my smith . I shoot the 700gr WFNGC and the 575gr WFNGC bullets . They are a blast . No flamecutting here . Got to love these big bores .
RR

RE: 500 S&W???
 

id assume its comparable to a 450 marlin in a BFR

RE: 500 S&W???
 

I have this exact gun in a 460S&W. Currious what kinda price you got for it? I paid $1100 for the gun and 3200 2-6 scope. I got it used off my brother. I know he had 1450 invested in it.

I had to send it back to smith to have the barrel changed out which happened on a few year before. But accuracy was still awesome. I am litterly getting 6" groups at 200 yards with reloads. And little better with 200gr factorys.

I will be curious to see how yours shoots.

RE: 500 S&W???
 

BC, did ya ever find any 200 grain bullets to handload with? Im still holding off on the 460 untill those 200 grain sst's are available to the handloader. I did however hear that hornady will special order them for handloaders just dont know what that would cost.

RE: 500 S&W???
 

I didn't jump on this one. I have several friends who bought them and have since sold them. Just more than needed in the lower 48. I shot a couple of the ones that my friend from alaska has. He took one grizzly with it but then sold it and bought a encore to replace it. I don't remember which caliber he got the encore in but it was not 500 S&W. If I ever get the bug it will be in the NEF rifle. If I am going to pack that kind of weight,FOR MEthe rifle makes far more sense.

RE: 500 S&W???
 

I have been shooting the 240gr XTP. Getting decent velocities with it. I am getting over 2100fps with 48gr of H110. Thats significant IMO.

I was going to load for the barnes 200gr, but I am not paying well over 1 dollar a bullet.

I love the gun. More versitile than the 500.

RE: 500 S&W???
 

I almost bought the 500 but went with the 460 instead.I don't handload and there was just a lot more choices of ammo. After shooting it for about a year I decided it wasn't for me and got rid of it. I'm gonna look for a good deal on an encore, but this time I'm gonna try shooting whatever type I choose first. You 500 and 460 shooters must be some brutes to put up with that much recoil. I will say however, the quality of the 460 was extremely high in my book! I was also very pleased with the Burris 2x7 posi lock scope I put on it. I'm not the best shot but I was shooting some darn good groups with that gun.

RE: 500 S&W???
 

Sorry to hear you sold it colorado. But you got to do what feels comfortable.

RE: 500 S&W???
 

I totally agree with that, Id also like to see the 460 available in the NEF IMO that would be one handy round in one handi rifle.

RE: 500 S&W???
 

I have heard talk about reaming the new 45 LC Handi rifle to 460.