500 SMITH & WESSON

500 SMITH & WESSON
500 gr. Hard Cast LBT-WFN-GC @ 1,425 fps-Revolver or 1,600 fps-Rifle
20 Round Box

ITEM 18E

In recent months (this is 12-30-22) I have been working on making a truly heavy 500 S&W load for the likes of Cape Buffalo hunting or for shooting any large animal where deep penetration is required to make a clean kill. With the advent of the Big Horn Armory Model 89 and its increase in velocity over any revolver, the 500 S&W cartridge can be put to great use as a dangerous game cartridge. Hence this new 500 gr., hard cast, flat-nosed, gas-checked load.

I had hoped for a velocity of 1600 fps from my 18-inch carbines, and I was able to achieve that almost exactly, with safe pressures that are within SAAMI specifications. You’ll note my real-world velocities in real-world guns below.

> 1,597 fps Big Horn model 89, 18-inch barrel
> 1,437 fps S&W X frame, 8-inch barrel
> 1,307 fps S&W X frame, 3.5-inch barrel

All three test guns gave excellent accuracy with this load, and while flash retardant propellant is used, in revolvers, this load flashes as does any full-power 500 S&W load. This bullet is hard and will not deform unless you punch a big shoulder bone at close range at rifle velocities. This bullet is gas-checked, hard cast, and properly lubed and, as such, will not lead foul any normal barrel. I would not hesitate to hunt any African DG with this load, except elephant.

For hunting NA game, our existing hard cast and monolithic solids will suffice just fine; however, I could see using this load on huge (over 1,000 lbs.) bear or AK/Yukon adult moose if a person chose to.

Good shooting, and God bless.

Tim

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