500 S&W

[Dog214]

Hello all. I have been loading for approximately 30 or so years but new to not just this caliber but straight wall in general. I started loading the 500 yesterday and can definitely say quite a few differences from bottle neck rifle rounds Ive been loading for.

My questions are plentiful . I am loading the Sierra 5350 JHP with CCI 250 primers, starline new brass and H110 powder, Lee dies. The Sierra manual states 44.4 - 47.9 grains. I was quite surprised at how full this makes the case. It appears all loads will be compacted or close to compacted. Now for the actual questions

Sizing the brass was pretty straightforward it was flaring the neck I had issues with. To start I set the die as per the manual. I made a beautiful 50 caliber brass bell if anyone is interested. I then simply went to ole reliable setting the die to the case and slowly increasing until the flare was correct. This is my question. When is it correct? I was able to place the bullet in the case mouth slightly more than just enough to hold it. I thought that was good but quickly learned centering the bullet to eliminate runout was quite challenging. I started to get the hang of it but do have a few that had slight swelling around the mouth of the case. How do you determine enough flare is enough?

I then started loading three rounds in increments of .5 grain increments from 44.5 - 47.5. This was my first time using Lee dies and had a learning curve with the bullet seater portion. I did realize that the seater portion floated free and not actually attached to the adjustment screw. After figuring this out I was able to seat as straight as I could. Brings me to the next question are there any tips for getting that bullet nice and straight or is it just eyeball it?

Crimping. So I read this round needs a significant crimp. I believe I achieved this and took a picture for everyone’s critique. Any advice or feedback on any of this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post. I just wanted to make sure I gave as much info as needed to make a decision.

 

[Leeinmichigan]

The crimp looks fine. I also reload the 500S&W, but I shoot it in a Thompson Encore rifle (which is a single shot) that I use for hunting deer. I use both Hornady 300 gr Flex tip and Swift A-Frame 325 gr. However, I don’t crimp the Hornady but I have to crimp the Swift because the diameter is .499 to make sure it doesn’t move after seating. Again, I’m shooting a single shot rifle that normally wouldn’t require a crimped cartridge.

 

[Dog214]

Ty. I am shooting a Taurus Raging Hunter. I too will be hunting deer and bear with mine. First time loading plan on trying the bullets you mentioned along with the Barnes.

 

[Hoser]

I load the 500 for my Big Horn lever action rifle.

I am loading on a Dillon 550. I adjusted the flare until I could put a bullet on there and not worry about it falling off. So, not much flare.

I am using a lot of neck tension and a firm crimp to keep the bullet from moving.

Runout isnt much of a deal on calibers like this. You will occasionally see a little more bulge on one side than the other. I have not seen much difference on the target that said I needed to change anything.

The 350gn bullets with H-110 or N-110 are stout. LilGun was brutal. Longshot was tolerable.

Muzzle flash from all the above was not bad. AA-5744 has a huge fireball and the recoil was brutal.

However, accuracy for all was excellent. While a "pretty" gun, it still gets carried in rough country where shots on critters are close.

AA-5744 is really nice in my 470 Nitro. But it is a no-go in my 500.

Below is N-110 vs 5744. Same bullet & primer going the same velocity.

 

[K22]

I don't shoot that cartridge but have been reloading straight wall revolver cases for 50+ years.

Good questions. Will share my experience.

Crimp: Looks fine. Heavy roll crimp, which is need for this cartridge in a revolver, should roll the case mouth into the cannelure, not distort or bulge the case mouth. You should be able to run you finger over the body of the case over crimp to the bullet without any noticeable change in diameter. In other words, it should be a smooth and uniform transition. See note of trim length

Amount of Flare: just enough so the bullet will sit straight in the case mouth. If the flare touches the bullet seating die, it's too much flare. See note on trim length.

Seating the Bullet in Alignment with Case: The seating stem fit on the nose of the bullet is important to seating alignment. Start the seating process by seating the bullet about 1/3 of the way into the case then rotate about 180 degrees to finish the seating. You will be able to access the straightness by inspecting the circumference of the case mouth alignment with the cannelure. See note of trim length.

Note on Trim Length: For heavy magnum cartridges in full power loads, uniform case trim length becomes important to set the flare, positioning of the case mouth in the cannelure and crimping. This means initial trimming to uniform the lengths then monitoring length. Ideally, the roll crimp should be in the approximate center of the cannelure.

 

[Dog214]

Thank you for the replies. Great information and Hoser awesome pics. Only additional question would be the charge and compression of the load. I typically would shy away from compressed loads in my rifle loadings. Does the information I supplied above seem typical on magnum loads.

 

[Leeinmichigan]

I used Lil-Gun powder, and the loads were worked up to get best accuracy. As to recoil.., yes pretty stout!

 

[Hoser]

Thank you for the replies. Great information and Hoser awesome pics. Only additional question would be the charge and compression of the load. I typically would shy away from compressed loads in my rifle loadings. Does the information I supplied above seem typical on magnum loads.

Yes. Most of your top end loads with slow burning powders like 110 and 296 are going to fill up the case to the heel of the bullet. Totally normal.

 

[WV Hitman]

I have a Taurus Raging Bull .500. Kill lots of groundhogs. lot of deer. Did a 8 pt. last year at 177 with a 400 gr. Win. Platinum Tip reload and a 8' brown bear in AK with a 375X at 129 yds.- one shot. 296 is all I've ever used. Sierra HPs are very deadly on deer, but all 3 Barnes X offerings are good, too.
It's heavier than my 6" Smith .500 & friendlier to shoot.