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Post by whitebull on Mar 2, 2017 16:10:42 GMT -5
So I just recently contracted the big bore revolver sickness. Purchased a SRH in .44 mag and then I just received a BFR in 500 JRH. I reload for all of my other guns, and most reloading components are pretty easy to come by. Not so much with these big bores. The .44 mag is not an issue, but the 500JRH, other BFR's and the Linebaughs do not seam to be so easy. I did pick up a RCBS 500 S&W/ Special die set, but I cannot find a dedicated crimp die, and trimming back 500 S&W brass is turning into a time consuming endeavor. My question is, is there a vendor who stocks and sells reloading components for big bores? I did round up some brass, at the tune of $1.16 ea. (painfull), and some Leadhead 440 gr WNGC slugs, I even had a tuff time finding decent bore brush. I've tried Midway, Brownell's, and others, but they are very hit and miss. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? Thanks. |
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Post by Encore64 on Mar 2, 2017 16:15:44 GMT -5
The 500 S&W / Special dies should work fine crimping your 500 JRH.
There are multiple chop saws, Dremels, etc that makes trimming brass easy.
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Post by Quick Draw McGraw on Mar 2, 2017 16:19:14 GMT -5
I went through this wehn I bought my my .500 JRH. I'm still at work but will share some of my experiences with you when I get home later.
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Post by Quick Draw McGraw on Mar 2, 2017 22:03:26 GMT -5
Ok, so here's my process, and yes, .50 caliber handguns require some dedication. First off, if you don't wanna chop down brass, then you're only bet is over at Buffalo Bore for Brass. Expensive, yes, but it's easy enough to reload from there. Otherwise, I'd recommend a chop saw to seriously reduce cutting time. You're going to want to use pistol primers. DO NOT USE RIFLE PRIMERS IN THE 500 JRH. It was never intended for that. Jack has recommended to me to use Large Pistol Magnum, and he likes CCI. For dies, I use the RCBS dies for .500 S&W Magnum/.500 Special. The only exception is the Expander die, which for some reason, will buckle my cases. I turned to Dillon Precision and bought their powder through die for the .50 AE. Works perfectly. For a crimp die, I use Hornady's Taper Crimp Die: www.midwayusa.com/product/393906/hornady-custom-grade-new-dimension-taper-crimp-die-500-s-and-w-magnumAlso, for bore brushes, type in ".50 Bore Brush" on Midway. It pulled up something like ten options for me. I hope this is helpful for you. |
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Post by Lee Martin on Mar 2, 2017 23:07:00 GMT -5
Good stuff. And for those interested in 500 grain bullets and up, the reamer specs are shown below. At first I used a straight reamer with mild radius at the end. This caused creasing of the cases after 2 - 3 firings however. Never took it to the point of separation, but the risk was real.  The fix entailed grinding a 4 degree lead into the reamer, then putting radius on the lower edge. Shops like Pacific, Manson, or JGS could modify off-the-shelf .500 reamers with ease.   I've fired JRHs made from .500 S&W over ten times now without a hiccup. The crease hasn't appeared.  -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time" |
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Post by seancass on Mar 3, 2017 8:32:37 GMT -5
Lee, this is the first time I have seen your follow up on the case creasing issue. I'm glad there's a solution. I don't currently have a need for the 500 grain bullets, but it's an interesting project.
So far, I've made brass in a tedious process from S&W brass. I've been debating on breaking down and buying a box of correctly headstamped brass. Maybe soon...
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Post by 500fksjr on Mar 3, 2017 9:34:29 GMT -5
Lee, this is the first time I have seen your follow up on the case creasing issue. I'm glad there's a solution. I don't currently have a need for the 500 grain bullets, but it's an interesting project. So far, I've made brass in a tedious process from S&W brass. I've been debating on breaking down and buying a box of correctly headstamped brass. Maybe soon... seancass, on that FA/97 .357 Buffalo Trading in Findlay Oh. has one with a longer bbl and scoped. Not sure of the price. 419-423-4867 I would ask for Larry or Neal anyone else might not know there stuff well....fwiw |
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Post by whitebull on Mar 3, 2017 10:32:36 GMT -5
Ok, so here's my process, and yes, .50 caliber handguns require some dedication. First off, if you don't wanna chop down brass, then you're only bet is over at Buffalo Bore for Brass. Expensive, yes, but it's easy enough to reload from there. Otherwise, I'd recommend a chop saw to seriously reduce cutting time. You're going to want to use pistol primers. DO NOT USE RIFLE PRIMERS IN THE 500 JRH. It was never intended for that. Jack has recommended to me to use Large Pistol Magnum, and he likes CCI. For dies, I use the RCBS dies for .500 S&W Magnum/.500 Special. The only exception is the Expander die, which for some reason, will buckle my cases. I turned to Dillon Precision and bought their powder through die for the .50 AE. Works perfectly. For a crimp die, I use Hornady's Taper Crimp Die: www.midwayusa.com/product/393906/hornady-custom-grade-new-dimension-taper-crimp-die-500-s-and-w-magnumAlso, for bore brushes, type in ".50 Bore Brush" on Midway. It pulled up something like ten options for me. I hope this is helpful for you. I appreciate the help. Buffalo Bore is where I got my JRH brass. I work 3 blocks from JRH Gunsmithing, and Jack has been very helpful as well. I try not to bug him too much. As far as the Dillon Precision powder through die, that sounds like the way to go, as I also have a .50 AE cylinder for the BFR. |
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Post by whitebull on Mar 3, 2017 10:41:04 GMT -5
Lee, thank you for the reamer spec's. Are the 500gr and up viable options for the 500 JRH? I know they shoot out of the S&W 500's, but the JRH has a much smaller capacity.
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Post by Lee Martin on Mar 3, 2017 18:40:34 GMT -5
Lee, thank you for the reamer spec's. Are the 500gr and up viable options for the 500 JRH? I know they shoot out of the S&W 500's, but the JRH has a much smaller capacity. The 500's fly good at 50 yards:  The gun is a stock BFR with two changes: 1) barrel shortened to 6.0", and 2) Huntington's grip reshape:  I have a 515 gr LFN drawn-up. Just need to order it from Mountain Molds. It is designed primarily for my 500 S&W, but it'll see use in this JRH (and another I plan to build on a blued Bisley).  The Leadhead's 500 gr WFN, while solid at 50 yards, fads at 100. I'm hoping this 515 does better. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time" |
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Post by whitebull on Mar 4, 2017 11:45:25 GMT -5
Beautiful gun. I am starting with a 440gr JRH type of load, around 950 fps, then slowly work up some loads with H-110. After I get these dialed in, I will have to try some of the 500gr.
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Post by Quick Draw McGraw on Mar 4, 2017 11:54:02 GMT -5
I've never loaded the 500s myself. I am a particular fan of the 440gr. and 400gr. options.
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Post by hoghead on May 25, 2017 5:14:00 GMT -5
I just bought a cheap mini lathe because of the cost difference of the 500 mag and JRH brass. I was searching for load data when I found this site lots of information. Anyone have loads for 330 gr lead bullets?
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Post by whitebull on May 25, 2017 9:35:47 GMT -5
The lightest I have shot are 370gr WFNGC, and the Hornady 350 gr XTP. I believe the intent of creating the 500JRH was to shoot 400gr and larger at slower velocities and less pressure than the 500 S&W, in a smaller package.
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Post by hoghead on May 25, 2017 11:04:57 GMT -5
I'll keep looking I already have the bullets. I have been shooting hogs with 275 gr8 billets
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