Really light .500 S&W and JRH loads?

[awp101]

The oldest boy has wanted a .500 Mag since he fired one at a S&W range day almost 20 years ago and recently he was able to pick up a new 8-3/8 model to scratch that itch. He's not going to hunt anything other than paper or steel and as little as he shoots, a box of 20 will last years. I offered to load up some lighter loads when he's ready.

I've seen data for bullets down to 350 grains (IIRC), but I've also read even lighter bullets for .50AE will work too. Is this true and more importantly, is it a good idea for light plinking loads?

The custom JRH thread has me kicking around the idea of getting into the .500 game myself. I've never had magnumitus or a jonesing for a big bore (and quite frankly my wrists and hands generally make them a non-starter) but I figure as long as I'm loading for one .500, I might as well make use of the setup and prep I'll already have to do for just a handful of rounds, right?

Same questions as with the .500 Mag. Really light loads just for fun on paper and steel. I saw a load with 231 and I think 300 grain bullets, are there other light (or even lighter) loads out there?

Thanks!

[bigbrowndog]

Probably defining what you think light is would help. Even a 300gr. bullet @ 1000fps is a decent load, but light for the .500”s.

Trapr

[giblett]

The reduced load in 500 jrh from buffalo bore still has a lil recoil. Ive loaded some blue dot with the 350 sierras and ftx bullets. Way too much recoil on the H110 loads. They claim the 950fps and 400 grain bullet will stop most anything.

[awp101]

Hmmm, I didn’t think about that bigbrowndog. How about 300 grains and under at 900fps or less?

[bigbore5]

Bullets under 350grs don't stabilize well.

[bearskinner]

I would think a 275 or 300 grain .500 would be about a round ball, or almost shorter than it is wide.

[bamagreg]

The Hornady 300 grain FTX load shoots well but it's not at all a light load. It probably stabilizes better because of the extra length due to the all copper construction.

[awp101]

May 29, 2024 20:16:09 GMT -5 bigbore5 said:

Bullets under 350grs don't stabilize well.

That’s good to know, thanks!

There’s a greater than zero chance that neither of these things ends up happening. He wants his just to have and I have other projects that need to be handled before I get into a new to me caliber.

[bigbrowndog]

The Barnes 275 is longer due to lighter weight copper construction I’d look there first. Problem being it really needs velocity to perform well in my experience. The 300’s I’ve shot do well out to 150yd but they are going 1400+. I’d think just like the little button bullets used in 45 colts a short bullet could do ok but it would be dependent on the individual gun and load.

Trapr

[bula]

Man, would that big case use up TrailBoss fast ! Just sayin', but light bullet, seat deeper if can, and the usual light load powder suspects to look at. No big 50's here, so no specifics. Waddibng to reduce internal case volume ? 

[kevshell]

I'm wondering if you wouldn't just be better off using one of the shorter 500 cases with fast burning powder and a lighter bullet. As already pointed out you'd use up a ton of case capacity for trail Boss but that huge case might be too much for a really fast burning powder to keep it to a light load. Not sure what platform you're putting it in but there's my two cents.

[shorty500]

I’ve run a 335grain TC meant for the .50 AE in the FA revolvers using TrailBoss.
Don’t recall velocity but about 11 grains made a cream puff load with my mold

[lar4570]

Lee has a new light .501 mold in the 300gn range(don't remember the exact weight). It's a gas checked design is the only thing I don't like about it. If you could find someone to machine it to a plain base would be much better or plinking loads.
I bought one of the new Lee molds, but haven't cast any bullet from it yet.
A friend of mine loads Trail Boss and cast bullets for his wife to shoot his 500S&W.
When I loaded some 350's for my 500 Linebaugh, I used Unique to get around 1000fps.
If you are going to load light loads, I would think that a cast bullet would be much safer, so you don't run the risk of sticking a jacketed bullet halfway down the barrel...

[singleaction]

Check this out:

m.youtube.com/watch?v=FLXvP1ZHGPo

[rjm52]

Have had a 4" S&W 500 since they came out...a real pleasant shooting load is any 350, cast, jacketed or plated, with 18.0 grains of Unique. Depending on the bullet it runs 1050 fps and mild recoil. It fills right at 1/2 the case so would be very difficult to double charge.

Have had 8 year olds shoot it...girls in 4H..and a group of visiting Japanese businessmen I was asked to take shooting...


My JRH and WE express loads uses a MP mold in solid weighs 400 grains and 385 HP. Velocity is 1050 which in a 4.75" FA 983 round butt is more than enough for me. It uses Unique also but will have to check on the weight.

Bob