To all interested,
A customer came in the shop yesterday wanting me to do some custom loading for his brand new 500 S&W. I was unable to get started until today but really hit her hard.
The customer has a large surplus of W-296 so this is the powder he decided he wanted to use in the loads which is a pretty good match for this round.
I recommended the 440 gr WFNGC from Cast Performance since they have worked so well fo me in my T/C Encore in 50 A.E.
Here are the load specs that were tested:
-Starline case, once fired
-Fed-210 primers
-2.005" oal
-crimped with a heavy but not overly aggressive crimp.
I test the revolver loads, at least the open sighted revolver loads at 35 yards, a revolver with a scope is tested at 50 yards. I feel 35 yards is a better test distance then the standard 25 yards because it gives a more accurate review of a load and it also allows the open sights to be tested a little harder then at 25 yards while still being close enough for good accurate group shooting.
Here are the chronograph results along with group size(3-5 shot group ave):
34.0gr Ave: 1474 fps E.S.: 56 fps Group ave. ctc: 2.015"
35.0gr Ave: 1509 fps E.S.: 20 fps Group Ave ctc: 1.838"
36.0gr Ave: 1539 fps E.S.: 45 fps Group Ave ctc: 1.564"
37.0gr Ave: 1585 fps E.S.: 26 fps Group Ave ctc: 2.085"
This is where I stopped. Not because of pressure signs but mainly due to hand fatigue. I am sure that this revolver could easily be loaded up to the 1700 fps level with these 440 gr bullets and if the owner wants that then we will but personally, that bullet at near 1600 fps is plenty enough for all handgun hunting anywhere. More recoil just adds to the difficulty in accurate shooting.
As far as the gun goes, its the 8 3/8" model with muzzle compensater, it is a nice handgun, finished very nicely but for the money, it had better be. There is one problem with the clock work of the gun and tht is that the hand will not "walk" when the trigger is pulled hard to the right.
"Walking" is when you pull the trigger just enough so tht the cylinder will free wheel. The clicking noise you hear is the hand "walking." It must do this or there can be indexing problems if the trigger is pulled hard and quick.
In this case, it is exceptionally bad because any right hand shooter using this revolver in a state of excitement, such as being nibbled on by a big critter would create a situation that may result in the cylinder not rotating if the trigger is pulled quickly.
Accuracy wise, I own several and have seen many dozens of single action Ruger Blackhawk revolvers that would put this load to shame as far as accuracy goes. At 35 yards, I like to get near 1" groups for my customers and as of yet, with this load it does not appear it will do it. The 36.0 gr load produced a respectable 1.5" average which for a revolver of this power class is pretty good.
One other problem was that the sights were not able to be adjusted low enough for these loads. With the rear sight bottomed out, groups are still printing nearly 4" high at 35 yards. This is no doubt to the heavy bullet but I feel since this bullet weight is one of the stardard factory load weights, the revolver should have the adjustment to zero such a load.
The grips are Hogue and are very soft and sticky, almost to sticky as I was loosing some layers of skin by the time the end of the testing came. As with most S&W grips, even though the back strap is covered, there is very little cushion to protect the web of your hand.
As far as the conpensator goes, its a good and bad thing in my mind when it comes to handguns. First off, a compensator is designed to do one thing, reduce muzzle jump. It does alright at this but muzzle jump is still similiar to my heavy loaded 480 Ruger with 425 gr pills. Without the comp though, I would imagine this revolver would jump much harder and quicker.
Personally, I feel a revolver rising up in recoil, uses up alot of the felt recoil energy, with a compensated revolver, everything comes straight back into the web of your hand. I feel they are very poor recoil reducers even on big bore revolvers.
My personal opinion of the revolver is that its very powerful, heavier then one ultra light rifles, far to long to carry comfortably and only resonably accurate(although this is only one series of loads tested).
For my money and for what this handgun would be designed to be used for, I would feel better with my Ruger SRH in 480 Ruger loaded with its 425 gr hard cast driven to 1175 fps. Its lighter, shorter, much more accurate and has plenty of power for any North American big game hunting.
Is the 500 a good round? You bet, if shooters can handle the thing. Recoil is not that punishing but a shooter will need to condition themselves to stop the momentum of the +70 oz revolver which flat out tired my hand out by the time the testing was over and I shoot a fair amount of big bore handguns.
For an open sighted revolver that will be used at 125 yards or less, I feel there are much better ballanced rounds and for a back up revolver that is carried all the tiem and used very little, the big 500 is basically worthless as no one I know will be willing to carry its weight.
I hear S&W are bringing out a 4" version that only weights "56 oz!!" at least that is getting down to the SRH weight which is still far to heavy for a pack gun.
I was curious as to why S&W made the cylinder so long? There is no need, even with the 440 gr WFNGC's loaded to an oal of 2.005", there is still nearly .5" of unused throat in the cyinder. Perhaps it was more for impressive looks then anything. A shorter throat would do nothing but help accuracy and also cut off several oz. of weight.
Anyway, its a quality revolver, but from what I have seen, it is over priced as far as accuracy goes.
Just my opinion. I will check with the customer and see if he wants to go higher with his loads, I feel he will until he shoots the 36 and 37 gr loads.
What are your opinions of the 500, practical opinions from those that have shoot the revolver!
Good Shooting!!!
50
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500 S&W test results
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We will never see one down under with our new laws,so I can only drool in envy.I used to love the 44mag and though it had some power but the 50 sounds a arm killer.