500 GNR loads

[josht500]

Hey guys. Been lurking around here awhile awesome place. I will have in a couple weeks Gary Reeders prototype ulitimate 500 in 500 GNR. I have the loads the Gary sent with the dies but I'm looking for a heavier load. Plan on using 440 wfn. Looking to keep it around 11-1200. If you don't know the 500GNR is the 500l shortened to 1.25" and slightly necked to.500. Also looking at some 525's as well. Could I use 500 JRH loads as a place to start? Or just load it low and work it out?

[bigbores]

Well I would not use 500we/500JRH or 500Linebaugh data for Gary's 500GNR, Gary shortened the 500Linebaugh from 1.4" to 1.25" giving it a reduced case capacity and gave it a small neck, The neck will raise the pressure a bit

His design has a very short neck which wont give you as much neck tension as a straight walled case using heavy bullets (bullet base is longer than the necked portion of the brass) , start with 26grs of 4227 under a 440gr HC will get you around 1200fps out of a 8" Encore,I wouldn't go more than 28grs for top end loads, I would think the 500GRs are out.
call Gary he will give you more info on heavy bullets in his gun's.

Also I would wait on loading anything until you have your gun in hand, a WFN and WLN won't fit in some chambers cut tight.

[josht500]

Thanks. I have garys loads but they stop at 425 plus all done in an 8" encore. This is a 6" revolver. I kinfa can figure from what info I have to get started. Gun should be here in a week or so.

[mark]

Have you tried asking on Reeder's discussion board website? Before you spend money on a mould or bullet, get advice from Gary. I would think nose to crimp length would be a limiting factor as well.
Mark

[josht500]

I have talked to Gary and the largest they have tried is a 435 seated out to the 500l length. I can use that data. Both his 500&510 are identical except one its .500 other one is 510. He did tell that the 500+grns were a waste of time.

[500fksjr]

Gary may say there a waste in his shorter case in the .500 or .510 gnrs but the 500/ 525 grn bullets in a 500 Linbaugh are wonderful at 25/50 yards...You may need to find a comfort Load for the .500 gnr than order yourself a .5oo Linebaugh for Fun...IMHO ( I have several and really do enjoy them from 440 grn to 525s at 850 fps to 1200 fps)

[josht500]

I picked a cheap lee mold 440 gc .501 diameter. Thats mainly what I plan on using but was curious about the 500+weight bullets. I'm looking foe a comfortable load for thw 440 as tbe higest Gary lists is a 425. Im hoping for around 1100-1150 out of the 6" barrel.

[AxeHandle]

I'd beware any WFN bullet for a Reeder custom revolver. Gary says he cuts his throats tight and generally recommends the LFN style bullet.

[groo]

Groo here
My first question would be , why go heaver??? [ I know , You want to]
As with the linebaugh's the designer uses a range of bullet weights,tested same, and hunted with same.
Maybe they know something we don't???

[Paden]

Aug 17, 2013 22:05:26 GMT -5 groo said:

Groo here
My first question would be , why go heaver??? [ I know , You want to]
As with the linebaugh's the designer uses a range of bullet weights,tested same, and hunted with same.
Maybe they know something we don't???

+1. The 500L is a joy to shoot with 440 grain bullets at subsonic velocities, and will kill anything that walks North America. Why would anybody feel compelled to chop it down to 1.25", neck it down to .500, and still want to launch the same weight bullet from it? "...don't load your little gun up. Load your big gun normal." ~John Linebaugh

[whitworth]

Aug 17, 2013 22:05:26 GMT -5 groo said:

Groo here
My first question would be , why go heaver??? [ I know , You want to]
As with the linebaugh's the designer uses a range of bullet weights,tested same, and hunted with same.
Maybe they know something we don't???

Groo, even John Linebaugh has conceded that 500 grain + bullets have their place in the .500 Linebaugh loading spectrum, having witnessed how they penetrate at moderate velocities at a seminar a few years ago. And they are not short range limited. I shot game out to 125 yards with mine and all bullets exited. They just work.

Sorry for the thread hijacking!

[groo]

Groo here
I understand what the heaver bullets can do even when slowed down , and I have afew molds. [ SSK 357/205gr-41/295-44/320-454/340]
Its just that after chasing deer hit with "Buff" loads in a 44mag I got off the heavy waggon and started using hollow points or soft points on the small stuff.

[shorty500]

Aug 18, 2013 21:41:18 GMT -5 groo said:

Groo here
I understand what the heaver bullets can do even when slowed down , and I have afew molds. [ SSK 357/205gr-41/295-44/320-454/340]
Its just that after chasing deer hit with "Buff" loads in a 44mag I got off the heavy waggon and started using hollow points or soft points on the small stuff.

that's an interesting observation but totally 180 degrees from my experience with the "buff" loads. i use nothing but cast -typically WW metal, maybe air cooled or water dropped depending on end use. i start with 190g in .357 and run a 545g in the .500. depending on barrel length, caliber/pressure limits and accuracy my hunting loads usually run in the 1100-1400fps range. typical whitetail reaction is- bang, flop, bounce, short sprint if front legs not broke and then death kick within 40yards of impact point. a low shot through the ribs will produce significant blood trail. a high ribcage shot wont but they literally "drown" in own blood within few yards.

[shorty500]

sorry for the thread drift there josh. good luck with ya .500! all the .50s are tons of fun regardless of bullet weight. do believe the short neck and resulting loss in neck tension aka bullet pull may be a challenge in your case. you maybe able to pull it off if watch expander size and crimp closely though

[whitworth]

Aug 18, 2013 21:41:18 GMT -5 groo said:

Groo here
I understand what the heaver bullets can do even when slowed down , and I have afew molds. [ SSK 357/205gr-41/295-44/320-454/340]
Its just that after chasing deer hit with "Buff" loads in a 44mag I got off the heavy waggon and started using hollow points or soft points on the small stuff.

I don't think that deer offer much resistance. I too sometimes use hollow-points on them. That said, even my heavy cast loads in my bigger cast loads put the hurt on deer.