Loading S&W 500

[ruggyh]

W296/H110 is difficult to ignite with standard primers. The charge wasn't even below 90% powder density and I was using CCI small rifle primers.
I do not have a 500S&W so I'm not sure if 296 is still considered slow for compressed loads.

Simply not true for the 500 S&W or 460S&W.
Look in the reloading manuals for these cartridges.
Thousands of rounds of 500 and 460 loaded with WLR primers on H110 and 296 without issue - don't load less than 90% case fill and you wont have any issues.

Compressed loaded load with H110 /296 are ok in these cartridges. The closer to 100% case fill the less issue ignition is with this powder- this powder requires pressure to burn properly hence the warning on loading below 90% case fill (not max load weight).

If you are in the Bay Area and need some help give a a PM.

Good luck and be safe
Ruggy

[Jeep67cj5]

My Lyman book doesn't even have 296 in it, so I'm going to have to change books....

[Jeep67cj5]

Any recommendations on good reloading books? I usually just go to the winchester website, but it would be nice to have a book with all powders in it.

[Jeep67cj5]

Does anyone load a 500gr XTP projectile while using 296? If so, how much powder do you use? Winchester website says starting grains is 31.0 and max is 33.0 and a Hornady book says starting is 24.9 and max is 32.4. This is crazy on how different everything is for the S&W 500. I've never seen drastic changes in powder charge in any other calibers I load.

[ruggyh]

I recommend you use the Bullet manufacture load manual data if they have one and use the Powder manufactures load data in parallel.

They actually perform the testing.

Other load manuals gather information from a variety of sites and publish it without any or little confirmation.

Most reloading manuals are worth the price because of the how to information presented, any load data is a bonus.

Since I use Barnes and Hornady Bullets I refer to those manuals most often.
I also use Quickload to validate and compare loads virtually before deciding my load development path.

Powder supplier typically also publish load data.

Remember load data is not absolute with all the variables encountered in reloading. Start with recommend start load and develop from there. If you encounter pressure sign you have already gone way to far.

With the 460 and 500 you don't have to load to max to get good groups and accuracy matters most.

[Jeep67cj5]

But that's my issue, the powders manual and the bullets manual are so far apart for starting loads.

[Pauliedad]

Hornady book is conservative compared to say, Speer, on a lot of loads but since I'll be using Hornady projectiles, that's my starting point. .50 Action Express has that same range of load data too. Heck, even 44mag has lots of different data out there but i figure with so many different guns and barrel lengths, it kinda makes sense.
.50 Action Express has like one gun with four or five different finishes. So what's up with that?

[Swagman00]

A personal fav is cast 440 W/L.L.A. and trail boss. It's the best starting round to work your way up to full power BTW and you won't need caps for the pills since they're under 800 FPS. They're easy to make, low wear on brass, and light on your wrist.

Scroll down and the load info is there.

http://reloadammo.com/500sw.htm

Be careful with case fill on a catridge this large. I don't trust the Titegroup data.

Both Alliant 2400 and H110 give the best flame BTW.

[Yreka]

A personal fav is cast 440 W/L.L.A. and trail boss. It's the best starting round to work your way up to full power BTW and you won't need caps for the pills since they're under 800 FPS. They're easy to make, low wear on brass, and light on your wrist.

This one is my favorites too.. Super accurate, and soft shooting. I think I ended up on 9gr of Trailboss and around 700fps, but I would have to check my notes

[JTROKS]

Simply not true for the 500 S&W or 460S&W.
Look in the reloading manuals for these cartridges.
Thousands of rounds of 500 and 460 loaded with WLR primers on H110 and 296 without issue - don't load less than 90% case fill and you wont have any issues.

Compressed loaded load with H110 /296 are ok in these cartridges. The closer to 100% case fill the less issue ignition is with this powder- this powder requires pressure to burn properly hence the warning on loading below 90% case fill (not max load weight).

If you are in the Bay Area and need some help give a a PM.

Good luck and be safe
Ruggy

If you're getting away with standard primers that's awesome! But if you look in Hodgdon data it specifically says LRM - Large Rifle Magnum. Try shooting loose 296/H110 with a standard primer in the winter and you'll have a great time when that bullet is sent halfway down the barrel.

[ruggyh]

If you're getting away with standard magnum primers that's awesome! But if you look in Hodgdon data it specifically says LRM - Large Rifle Magnum. Try shooting loose 296/H110 with a standard primer in the winter and you'll have a great time when that bullet is sent halfway down the barrel.

Yes Hogdon suggest magnum primers - because they know someone is not going to follow the rest of their instructions- do not use below 90%.

Now look at 460 and 500 specific Hornady's data- WLR
They manufacture their 460 and 500 with WLR and I don't hear any complaints.

Like I said 90% or greater case fill - higher is better. Over 30000 rounds of 460 and 500 rounds reloaded and shoot without an issue.

[JTROKS]

30K of 460 & 500?? I guess I can't argue with someone that reloaded that many of the big bore handgun magnums. Me I'll stick with using magnum primers. They cost the same and gives me the added insurance of a full ignition if I get to hunt somewhere colder than California.

[Jeep67cj5]

I've found that Hornady XTP projectiles are almost the cheapest out there. Anyone have any recommendations on the projectiles they use? Thanks

[ruggyh]

What are you going to be doing with the rounds you build?
Hunting, target shooting , plincking?

Lead is cheaper to shoot than jacketed rounds.

Berry's plated bullets work OK for target shooting but not suitable for hunting.

[Jeep67cj5]

Just plinking