500 Linebaugh or JRH?

[alamogunr]

I have been chewing on the possibility of a 500 Linebaugh but another thread has me wondering what are the advantages or differences, other than bullet diameter, between the Linebaugh and JRH. Can some of you experts enlighten me on why you would choose one over the other. I already know that JRH brass is not as common as Linebaugh brass.

John
W.TN

[Thunderjet]

Much better bullet selection for the JRH due to the smaller diameter compared to the Linebaugh. Brass is easy to make. If you don't want to make it Buffalo Bore has it in stock.

Hands down, JRH.

[AxeHandle]

In my mind if you are not casting bullets you need to take up a new hobby.. Something that you can fully embrace! That said my recommendation is a 500L...

[Encore64]

I'm not sure where your information comes from on brass availability. The JRH is shortened 500 S&W brass which is far more common than 500 Linebaugh.

I won't argue which cartridge is the "best." They are both fine rounds.

I went the 500 JRH route for several reasons. Brass is very easy to locate and trim. Bullets for the 50 AE and 500 S&W work fine and are plentiful. Auxiliary cylinders are available as a factory (or handloaded) option.

Final reason is I really like the BFRs. I have two in 500 JRH, a 5.5" & 7.5". Both are dual cylinder guns.

[eskimo36]

I'm going down the road of both. I'll let you know a definitive answer in 15-20 years. I don't see much difference in the pair except in the easier availability of .500 factory bullets over .510 bullets. Brass for either will last forever once you get it. More economical guns are available in the JRH.

[Quick Draw McGraw]

I have a .500 JRH BFR. I went with the JRH because bullets were easier to find, and I can make brass from .500 S&W brass if I need to. Easier to find component made my choice for me. Plus, factory made gun is cheaper than a custom one-off. But if you got the coin for a custom gun, that's not an issue.

[AxeHandle]

Of course the JRH is the safe bet... I still remember when I bought a 480 Ruger. Bullets of any kind were hard to find. I bought one silly bullet mold and the rest is history... Magma Master caster, bottom pour lead pot, Star sizers, size dies, 2000 pounds of linotype, LBT lube, and dozens of bullet molds. That old fart you see at the table full of old crusty bullet molds at the gun shows. You know the one.. Doesn't look that clean and seems fascinated with the most obscure sizes and shapes.. it is me..

[mike454]

More bullets available for the JRH but never had trouble finding what I want for the Linebaugh. Brass favors the Linebaugh. You can buy Linebaugh brass for less money than 500 S&W brass and much less than JRH brass. You can usually find Linebaugh brass 5 or 6 different places. Ballistics are similar, would expect results on game to be similar. I chose the linebaugh round and keep a a large supply of brass on hand so I don't have to worry about future shortages. Much of that has to do with the fact that John Linebaugh is a good friend and I've purchased my .500s from him. If he chambered for the 1.4" S&W round I might own one of those as well.

[alamogunr]

When I mentioned JRH brass not being as common as Linebaugh, the only places I looked were Starline and Buffalo Bore. Even if you are willing to make your own, Starline 500L brass is cheaper than Starline 500 S&W,

Axe mentioned casting. I don't shoot anything but cast bullets. I've got way more molds than I need or can use, and there are mold makers that will furnish either .500 or .510, so that would not be a problem.

While the responses have clarified the differences, I guess it still boils down to preferences. both are, to my mind, a custom proposition and since I have the raw material(Ruger Bisley's), that would be the way I would go. That leaves the big problem of the wait time. I'm at the point that I don't buy green bananas.

Also, I should have mentioned this first. I have been reading everything that 2 dogs has written on .32 caliber handguns. It would probably be cheaper to go with a Ruger Single Seven and have it modified if I decide I want it to be different or outfit it with extra cylinders(example .32-20).

It is dangerous for me to pick up Bowen's book on The Custom Revolver.

[lscg]

I've wanted a 50 cal for a while now and really wasn't sure which one would be best for me. after thinking about it I decided a BFR Bisley in 500 JRH would be the way to go since it would probably be the easier/cheaper route. if in the future if I become flush with cash that will change to a 500 Linebaugh Bisley from the man himself though.


of course I first need to get a .480 Bisley. then I can worry about going bigger.

[Quick Draw McGraw]

Admittedly, I want a .500 Linebaugh SRH. That will take me saving many pennies.

[CraigC]

The Linebaugh may be the more romantic choice but the JRH is more practical. So it's the JRH for me, easy. I don't cast and probably never will. Don't have the time or the inclination so the greater availability of .501" bullets is the tipping point for me. I can buy "cheap" plinkers from Missouri Bullet or Hunters Supply and monster mashers from Oregon Trail, Montana Bullet Works, Leadheads, CPBC or Beartooth. The .500S&W is more likely to stick around long term. Considering how many firings a case is good for, I never factor in the cost of brass.

[eskimo36]

If you load either 500 hot enough to wear out brass, you will wear out other things too... like elbows, wrists, shoulders, etc. I hardly ever figure in brass costs in the equation until they get to be several dollars a piece.