1/2in holes!

[Grumpy]

I've got a couple dillon progressives
your speed depends on your manual dexterity and how well the machines adjusted , and your experience... lots of time spent aid both

the set up or caliber change time and adjustments required ,
on most progressive presses,
make swapping calibers your reloading a P.I.T.A.
if your only cranking out 50-100 cartridges at a time
if your looking at lower volumes get a good single stage press.
for a basic press this is one of the best and most versatile single stage presses, IF you've got reloading questions just ask!!

Bullet Design Details | Accurate Molds

www.accuratemolds.com

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/new-reloading-manuals.2379/#post-56752
this press below is not a real progressive bit its fast and simple to use.

( list $575, used generally $350-$450)
http://www.sportshootingsupply.com/store/p/502-Ponsness-Warren-Metallic-II.aspx

but if your willing to sit down and crank out 500-1500 cartridges in an afternoon,
the dillon progressive presses are GREAT!

https://www.dillonprecision.com/rl-550c-reloader_8_1_23594.html

https://www.dillonprecision.com/xl650-reloader_8_1_23803.html

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...loading-press-for-the-money.13162/#post-73135

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/should-i-start-reloading.14021/#post-71379

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...into-reloading-pistols-rifles.1873/#post-6313

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/new-reloading-manuals.2379/#post-56752

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ter-reloading-machine-options.1098/#post-2148

 

[rlphvac]

Grumpy I'm waiting on the shell plates to arrive so I can finish setting it up I will keep my single stage press for rifle loads I will do the AR & AK loads on the new press but my hunting loads will be done slow and easy on the single stage

 

[Grumpy]

has anyone found a small extremely durable optical or laser sight that will stand up, long term, to the recoil level of abuse that a 7.5" 500 S&W revolver can produce,
my neighbors recently purchased a 7.5" 500 S&W pistol , the upper barrel has factory mounts that look like the weaver style scope mounts
most of the people I talk too said everything they tried so far has a rather limited life expectancy, but I don,t seem to get much details ans as most people that are familiar with big bore revolvers will tell you theres a great many people that don,t know how to properly mount, or use optical sights on a handgun, so you need details, if the mount or scope or type of sight failed and if so how and when?
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/performance-center-model-sw500-0

a good example of why you use a 440-480 grain hard cast bullet in a 500 mag revolver

 

[T-Test]

I would send it to the S/W performace center and have them mount a scope on it. Best you can get from their craftsmen.

 

[Gibbles]

I'm getting real close to picking up that 500, it's just calling to me every time I see one in a store.
I don't think a sale like I got with the deagle is going to happen any time soon.
Maybe this summer, but I'm growing restless stuck at home.

Also, I found a good source for factory new ammo.
Runs about 90 cents per round.
Seller is Outdoor Limited
Found via one of those online ammo finders.

Neat stuff, gives a nice flame ring blast.


@rlphvac Have you found a good loading that's working?

I found a few listed online, but I have not taken the time to start reloading yet.
I have a pretty simple press that I got second hand.
One at a time...

They also have a nice price on some 500s&w
reviews suggest that it's loaded down a bit, very little recoil.

 

[Gibbles]

I will note, that those are not good prices for around here.
Maybe in some of the smaller cities, when I lived down south I would drive up north to salt lake to buy guns and ammo.
Much better prices where there are 100 gun stores.

I would expect to see that closer to the $1000 - $1100 price range.
But what's a few bucks, when your stuck inside, everywhere is closed.
And a new shiny toy would sure lift ones spirits...

Luckily Gun stores around here are "life sustaining" or however the wording is...
lol

Too bad I spent over 1k topping off my ammo supplies last week (non rape prices).

 

[Gibbles]

I'm feeling too weak to resist temptation!
Impulse control weakening...
boredom taking control!

A place has been set aside for it in my safe, next to the desert eagle.

I think I need to have a beer or two so I won't get in my car and drive over there.

 

[Grumpy]

as previously posted

just a bit of info on these lee "440 grain" 500 S&W bullet molds ,
with the gas check and lube on these cast bullets,
at least using my 95% WW alloy and 5% tin, mix,
the projectiles actually weigh about 470 grains
they are quite accurate (WITH THE GAS CHECKS)
http://www.sagesoutdoors.com/500-s-w-caliber-gator-gas-checks
the best load for accuracy, after a great deal of testing.. 20 grains of blue dot
Its certainly not a max load but its very accurate and it certainly hammers hogs
yes you could easily load to higher pressure and velocity,
but at that powder charge ,you already have very good accuracy and penetration

https://www.starlinebrass.com/500-sw-mag-brass/

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....00-s-and-w-carbide-3-die-set-with-shellholder

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0007680291/500-smith-and-wesson-3-die-set
the the fastest velocity ammo available, may not provide the best accuracy or penetration,
and it may also vary the impact point noticeably from a more accurate load.
or loads using different bullet weights and velocitys.
To hunt effectively you need ammo thats both consistent in its point of impact and provides decent accuracy.
one of my friends owns a 500 S&W revolver, hes got the 7.5" version,
and off a bench he can hold a 3"-4" 100 yard group with some ammo.
I reload for, him, and we tried about a dozen plus different combos.
if your dependent on commercial ammo you have zero control on availability, price or consistency.
one of his goals was to stock up on ammo once he has found a consistently accurate and effective load.
we tried quite a few factory loaded cartridges from available sources.
our goal was max accuracy and deep penetration.
most commercial loads use lighter weight jacketed bullets and they expand too fast for max penetration, in my opinion.
and swapping bullet weight and brands has a huge effect on the point of bullet impact, at ranges over 50 yards, in that revolver,
we found that pushing the hard cast gas check LEE 440 grain bullet
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/dept/reloading/lead-bullet-casting/lee-moulds/-point-501-dia
too much faster than a 20 grain charge of blue dot powder will achive
both reduces long range accuracy and does nothing useful for penetration in stacks of wet magazines.
that load in his revolver produces about 1340 fps.
thats certainly not a max load but its darn effective.
that loads devastating on hogs and we have never recovered a bullet so far as they all exit the far side so far.


btw if you need 50 cal gas checks , the link below may help, I found other vendors were out of stock
https://www.sagesoutdoors.com/500-s-w-caliber-gator-gas-checks/
between the starline brass case, and powder and primer assuming you cast,
lube and size, and gas check, your own ammo for your 500 S&W.
you should very easily load ammo for under $1.30 a shot,
far lower than factory ammo by at least 50 percent a shot,
and that savings quickly offsets the equipment cost required.
once you have the tooling and molds,gas checks and powder and primers,etc.
and while the up front cost is higher in the long term youll save a ton of cash,
handloading for a 500 mag over the cost of commercial ammo
Id also point out that those lee hard cast bullets easily out penetrate,
almost all factory ammo,
remember you can get more reloads out of a brass case if the case pressure is marginally lower in your hand loads,
you might get 7-9 reloads per case, with moderate pressures vs 3-4 with higher pressure reloads
and the hard cast bullets leave a very big hole through hogs,
while factory projectile jackets tend to peel off on impact

 

[Gibbles]

@Grumpy Your just trying to tempt me more!

700 Grain factory ammo is available

 

[Grumpy]

I would strongly suggest you don,t buy or use or reload 700 grain bullets,
it is in my opinion very abusive to the gun,
it was never originally designed for that level of abuse,
and gives you nothing a 450-500 grain bullet at only about 1200-1400 fps ,
would give you in spades for hunting at under 100 yards or so,
after you can effortlessly punch , hard cast bullets you handload, through large hogs ,
or elk, your not gaining much more if anything with added power and bullet mass,
other than the excess strain on the pistol and more recoil.

https://ultimatereloader.com/2017/06/07/second-to-none-reloading-and-shooting-500-sw-magnum/

if you want a good 500 S&W plinking load that same lee 440 grain cast bullet over 12 grains of unique powder is at about 1000 fps,
even that load devastates hogs at 40-50 yards.

even my 44 mag reloads using a 310 grain bullet at about 1350 fps punch through hogs easily in most cases

watch this video

from what Ive read hes using max handloads in a ruger 44 mag with 300 hornady bullets ,
that combo produces less than 1/2 the impact energy available from a 500 mag using less than max loads,
with those lee 440 grain hard cast bullets loaded to well below max pressure

I used a 21 grain charge of H110 under a LEE 310 grain hard cast 44 cal. bullet seated out to the lower crimp groove
(btw 95% WW alloy and 5% pure tin)

 

[Gibbles]

Ok, so i made my decision today.

i handled several 500's, my favorite by far was the 6.5in half lug.
It feels like the 4in, but with the longer barrel.

6in seems like the best balance between weight, and the ability to holster the gun.
I plan on using a belt holster like i do with my deagle...

Depending on how busy I am at work, I hope to pick it up tomorrow.

w00t w00t

 

[Grumpy]

not a bad choice at all, I've been considering getting a 7.5" version,, or perhaps a 8.375"
I'm not enthralled with the barrel contour, of the 7.5"
but its slowly becoming less repulsive as I use my friends,
and his is 7.5" 500 mag revolver is exceptionally accurate.
an 8.375" or 10" might have some benefits in velocity, but even in a shoulder holster
https://www.opticsplanet.com/desantis-right-hand-black-black-mamba-m40ba05z0.html
it is a bit too long for really easy transport, especially seated in a car,
so I'm increasingly seeing the benefits of the 6"-7.5"-8.375" config in a shoulder holster
if your looking at belt holster carry, good luck, finding a decent holster thats both comfortable and reasonably priced

btw the SWEET SPOT in bullet weight in my friends 500 mag revolver,
seems to be in the 370-500 grain range,
any lighter than 350 grains or heavier than about 540 grains and accuracy past 50-75 yards seems to suffer.

so far this is rather amazingly the best bullet design I found
and 20 grains of blue dot powder, under a cast gas check bullet like the link below,
makes a decent load,thats accurate and controllable
not max, but certainly deadly on hogs and deer even out at 120 yards.
https://leeprecision.com/mold-dc-c501-440-rf.html

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...r-a-500-s-w-reloading.11917/page-2#post-89467

personally I think the 8.375"" is the best looking version, but the 7.5" with the better-designed muzzle brake might be the more practical hunting revolver option
as you give up very little velocity but gain a bit more control in a bit more handy to carry size

uncles mike holster charts
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/opticsplanet/uncle-mike-holster-chart.pdf

https://www.opticsplanet.com/desantis-right-hand-black-black-mamba-m40ba05z0.html

 

[Gibbles]

picked up my new shiny today, stimulus money covered the entire price with about 25 cents left over!
Part of the agreement with the wife, she gets to spend hers on a new iPhone. lol
She went from "not right now" to "lets go get it!" in about 2 seconds flat.

What you mentioned about not shooting the heavy loads makes a ton of sense, no point to abuse this baby.
At the store I saw they had some 525(+/-) grain ammo for $35 a box of 50
Marked as "Bear Ammo"
Tempted, but I'm not about to beat on this gun.

So I have a single box of Hornady 300 grain "FTX" ready for it's first time out @ $77 a box of 20.
Has a little red tip, wife says it looks like lipstick.

And I agree, that 8.375 in. version is my favorite looking as well.
In hand is a different story (for me that is).

I did not have a chance to try that performance center version, none available locally.
I like how it tapers, looks lighter.

Now I need a holster, local maker said he can do it but I would need to leave it with him for a week or two.
I would need to go meet him in person before I would even think about that.
However, from his name and location, I believe he completed on "forged in fire".
Meeting him in person would confirm it's him, I also noticed he sells propane forges...
(Something I'm interested in personally)


I also heard my uncle makes holsters (saw his sewing setup last time I visited), and I think he would get a kick out of this thing (pun intended).
So I need to make a little trip up north soon...
Fun of a new toy!

 

[Grumpy]

https://www.opticsplanet.com/desantis-right-hand-black-black-mamba-m40ba05z0.html

YES IT REQUIRES a shoulder holster or chest cross draw to use comfortably

btw if you buy the holster buy this belt youll need it with that holster
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PDBK6J7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

this is fairly decent for the money,its a tight fit, new but loosens a bit with use,
Its the shoulder holster my friend uses with his 7.5" barrel 500 mag revolver
at a bit under $80 its on the lower end of prices

 

[Gibbles]

Looking around I see lots of holster options for the 8in version, 4in, and 5in.
6.5 seems to be hit and miss.
Found one from an unknown maker, but I tried that with my deagle.
Leather from an unknown maker was thin and poorly formed.
I reworked it, and used a sealer to help stiffen it up, it ended up shrinking pretty badly due to how thin the leather was.. lol

I have never tried a chest holster, it might be a good option to have on hand at a minimum.

 

[Gibbles]

Possible options here: https://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/collections/holsters

 

[Gibbles]

Picture of the pair!

 

[Gibbles]

and as for holsters, so far diamond d is my favorite.

trying to decide between two configs

First this one, setup I like with a removable flap runs about $180(ish)


And this setup, also with the flap that can be used if you wish
Runs closer to the $300 mark

 

[Grumpy]

any progress on the 500 S&W cartridge reloading process?

 

[Gibbles]

Not yet, still keeping my pocket book closed until i can go inside of my bank to move money.
Not something i can do online.
I do have dreams!

I also have been doing my best to replace my hands with fiddys.
doing daily tasks, like opening doors, feeding my self, etc.

Yes I can't wait till i can go out side and be a person again.