500 smith vs 500 linebaugh long

[ohnomrbillk]

Forgive my noob question here.

I see the case on these are both in the 1.6" neck of the woods. The linebaugh uses .510 bullets, while the smith uses .500. Is that the big difference? Could a Ruger Maximum be chambered for either one?

Just trying to wrap my head around the big 50's.
I appreciate any input.
Bill

[greygt]

Yes Linebaugh, bowen, harton, reeder and many other custom smiths could make you a 500 linebaugh maximum on your rare Ruger maximum frame. Although most of these smiths seem to do the linebaugh cartridge they might be able to do a 500 smith as well??? As far as the bullet size difference I don't think anything you shot with this cannon will be able to tell the difference. ;D Going with the 500 smith will give a good selection of jacketed bullets. Where as the 500 linebaugh is more of a cast bullet cartridge. I know there are a few jacketed bullets for it also but no where near the selection as the 500 smith.
Good luck

[bigbores]

Feb 7, 2010 19:14:56 GMT -5 ohnomrbillk said:

Forgive my noob question here.

I see the case on these are both in the 1.6" neck of the woods. The linebaugh uses .510 bullets, while the smith uses .500. Is that the big difference? Could a Ruger Maximum be chambered for either one?

Just trying to wrap my head around the big 50's.
I appreciate any input.
Bill

Some of the gunsmiths have stopped building the 500Maximums because they don't like to test shoot them, and I only found one that would chamber a Ruger maximum in 500SW and he would need to mark it for low pressure loads only, the 500SW is a 50,000psi round and the Ruger maximum frame simply won't take that kind of beating with that large a round.
I have a 500maximum and I would be just as happy with the more common 500Linebaugh.
If you want a cheap 50 get a BFR or an X-Frame if you want pact-able power close to the 500maximum power get a 500WE or 500JRH if you want a really sweet custom order one from any of the custom smiths out there in anything from 480Ruger to 500Linebaugh and you'll have one great gun, If you must have a maximum built do it, but it really doesn't make a better hunting gun.
Hope that helps.

[Deleted]

It's not surprising the 500 Longs and 500 S&W Mags are less common. The 500 Linebaugh, 500 JRH, and 500 Wyoming provide all the half-inch power anyone would need.

[Aggie01]

When I was planning my Maximum 50 Caliber conversion, I evaluted both cartidges.

The Ruger Maximum will handle the .500 S&W Magnum. It exhibits no more case head thrust at 50K PSI than a .475 Linebaugh at the same pressure.

Note: Bowen and Clements will not build them. I asked.
Jack Huntington built mine, and he wouldn't test fire it himself, he has a guy who likes punishing himself that does that for him.

In my opinion, the reason to go with a long/maximum should not be to move the same bullet faster, but to move a bigger bullet at the same speed.

I picked the .500 Linebaugh Maximum over the .500 S&W because of:
1) the availability of heavy bullets (over 500 grains) due to the existence of the .50 Alaskan.
2) it's still the biggest kid on the block. I had a smith cut up a relatively rare and semi collectable revolver. I'll never look at it and say, "Damn - shoulda made it bigger".

It throws a 515 grain bullet out the end of the tube running about 1388 fps.
I have carried it concealed in a high ride pancake holster under a jacket, and it can kill an elephant. That's just cool.
I'm having a .500 JRH built as my "little .500".

Notice nowhere did I try to justify this conversion with what I "needed". I'm not BS'ing myself or you guys - I just "wanted" it.

[rigby]

Aggie, if he has the 357 max do you think selling it and buying the 500 max on GB would be a wash, cost wise?

[AxeHandle]

Dang.... After all the engineering mumbo jumbo/hocus pocus of the past it boils down to..."I just "wanted" it"
You hit the nail square on the heads there dude! All that engineering analysis is kewl but it really comes down to it there is no right or wrong. It is simply what we want and what we are willing to pay for.... ;D

[Deleted]

Feb 8, 2010 13:06:26 GMT -5 AxeHandle said:

Dang.... After all the engineering mumbo jumbo/hocus pocus of the past it boils down to..."I just "wanted" it"

Come to think of it that's the reason I buy guns 99% of the time. Nothing wrong with just plain "wanting one"

[bigbores]

Feb 8, 2010 12:21:26 GMT -5 Aggie01 said:

When I was planning my Maximum 50 Caliber conversion, I evaluted both cartidges.

The Ruger Maximum will handle the .500 S&W Magnum. It exhibits no more case head thrust at 50K PSI than a .475 Linebaugh at the same pressure.

Note: Bowen and Clements will not build them. I asked.
Jack Huntington built mine, and he wouldn't test fire it himself, he has a guy who likes punishing himself that does that for him.

In my opinion, the reason to go with a long/maximum should not be to move the same bullet faster, but to move a bigger bullet at the same speed.

I picked the .500 Linebaugh Maximum over the .500 S&W because of:
1) the availability of heavy bullets (over 500 grains) due to the existence of the .50 Alaskan.
2) it's still the biggest kid on the block. I had a smith cut up a relatively rare and semi collectable revolver. I'll never look at it and say, "Damn - shoulda made it bigger".

It throws a 515 grain bullet out the end of the tube running about 1388 fps.
I have carried it concealed in a high ride pancake holster under a jacket, and it can kill an elephant. That's just cool.
I'm having a .500 JRH built as my "little .500".

Notice nowhere did I try to justify this conversion with what I "needed". I'm not BS'ing myself or you guys - I just "wanted" it.

I think your going to love your .500 JRH, but I'm a little surprised you didn't get you max made in a .500SW because you can shoot the .500SW brass a couple of times then just trim it down to the
.500 JRH, I shoot mainly the same 440 Grain bullet out of both and I grab one of my x-frames when I fill the need for 700GR bullets.
I think this post needs pics!

[bigbores]

With a subject name of 500 Smith vs 500Linebaugh Long this picture is also needed.