What is 500 S&W Magnum ammo?🧐
It is a powerful handgun cartridge developed by Cor-Bon in partnership with Smith & Wesson. It was introduced in 2003 and was the most powerful commercially available handgun cartridge at the time of its release. The cartridge is designed for use in large-frame revolvers, specifically the Smith & Wesson Model 500 revolver.
Features📝
The .500 S&W Magnum ammunition possesses several notable features that set it apart from other handgun cartridges. Here are some of its key characteristics:
🔷 High Power: It is one of the most powerful handgun cartridges available commercially. It’s massive bullet diameter and large case capacity allow it to generate extremely high muzzle energies, making it suitable for taking down large and dangerous games.
🔷 Stopping Power: Due to its immense power, this ammo delivers exceptional stopping power. It can cause significant tissue damage and penetration, making it effective for self-defense in situations where a handgun is the chosen weapon.
🔷 Heavy Bullet Options: It typically offers a variety of heavy bullet options, ranging from 300 to 700 grains. These heavy bullets contribute to its stopping power and terminal performance.
🔷 Magnum Designation: The “Magnum” designation indicates that this cartridge is a high-pressure, high-performance round. It signifies that the .500 S&W Magnum operates at significantly higher pressures than standard handgun cartridges.
🔷 Hunting Capabilities: It is commonly used for hunting large game at close to moderate distances. It is suitable for hunting animals like bears, boars, and other dangerous game.
Benefits💥
The .500 S&W Magnum ammunition offers several benefits, particularly for specific use cases and scenarios. Here are some of the advantages of this powerful cartridge:
✅ While primarily designed for hunting and self-defense, it can also be used for other purposes like target shooting, silhouette shooting, and handgun hunting competitions, catering to a niche group of enthusiasts.
✅ Within its intended range, the .500 S&W Magnum demonstrates excellent accuracy and terminal performance. It is well-suited for short-range engagements where its stopping power can be fully utilized.
✅ For individuals or professionals requiring a powerful for specific purposes, such as bear guides, backcountry explorers, or hunters in dangerous territories, this ammo provides a level of assurance and effectiveness against large predators.
✅ In regions where legal restrictions or practical considerations make it difficult to carry larger firearms like rifles, the .500 S&W Magnum can offer a viable alternative for dealing with potentially dangerous animals or situations.
How to choose the best ammo?🔍
Determining the “best” .500 S&W Magnum ammunition depends on your specific needs and intended use. There are several factors to consider when choosing the right ammo:
| ➡️ Purpose: Decide on the primary purpose for which you’ll be using the ammunition. Are you planning to use it for hunting large games, self-defense, target shooting, or competition? Different purposes may require different bullet types and weights. |
| ➡️ Bullet Type: It is available in various bullet types, such as hollow points, soft points, and hard cast lead bullets. Hollow points are often preferred for self-defense due to their controlled expansion and terminal performance. Hard-cast lead bullets may be favored for hunting applications due to their deep penetration capabilities. |
| ➡️ Bullet Weight: This ammo offers a wide range of bullet weights, typically from 300 to 700 grains. Heavier bullets are generally more suitable for hunting large game, while lighter ones may have less recoil and be more manageable for self-defense or target shooting. |
| ➡️ Velocity and Energy: Pay attention to the advertised muzzle velocity and muzzle energy of the ammunition. Higher velocity and energy can provide greater stopping power and better performance at longer ranges. |
| ➡️ Cost: The cost of ammunition can be relatively high compared to standard handgun cartridges. Consider your budget and strike a balance between quality and affordability. |
| ➡️ Local Laws and Regulations: Be aware of local laws and regulations regarding ammunition, as some jurisdictions may have restrictions on certain bullet types or features. |
📌 Experimenting with different loads and bullet types may be necessary to find the one that suits you best. Always follow safety guidelines and adhere to proper ammunition compatibility with your specific handgun model.
500 S&W Magnum Ammo Review | Top-7 500 S&W Magnum Ammo
| Image | Product | Brand | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Winchester SUPER-X HANDGUN 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 350 grain | Winchester |  |
 | Federal Premium Centerfire Handgun 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 325 grain | Federal Premium Centerfire | |
 | Winchester PLATINUM TIP HOLLOW POINT 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 400 grain | Winchester | |
 | Winchester DUAL BOND HANDGUN 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 375 grain | Winchester | |
 | Federal Premium Centerfire Handgun 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 275 grain | Federal Premium Centerfire | |
 | Federal Premium Centerfire Handgun 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 325 grain | Federal Premium Centerfire | |
 | Hornady Custom 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 300 Grain | Hornady Custom | |
1# Winchester Super-X Handgun 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 350 grain
First things first, love the confidence this ammunition instills in weapons. Rain or shine, obstacles or challenges, Winchester Super-X Handgun 500 S&W Magnum Ammo keeps performing at its full potential. With each shot, you experienced a proven path to impact, ensuring a faster and more effective takedown, making it perfect for deer hunting and even mountain lion hunting. One feature that stood out is the jacketed hollow point (JHP) bullet design. Our research has shown that this 350-grain JHP bullet guarantees consistent wound channel and expansion, delivering reliable knock-down power. Speaking of power, the muzzle velocity of 1350 ft/s and muzzle energy of 1416 ft-lbs is nothing short of impressive. Whether you’re targeting a big game or a small game, this ammo delivers consistent performance and lethality that you can count on.
2# Federal Premium Centerfire Handgun 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 325 grain
Greetings! Today, we’re thrilled to share our experience with the Federal Premium Centerfire Handgun 500 S&W Magnum Ammo. Let’s talk about construction – Federal has taken a page from their centerfire rifle ammo, ensuring these bullets are built for toughness. The 325-grain Soft Point (SP) bullets feature the same construction as their rifle counterparts, ensuring outstanding durability and reliability for medium-game hunting. One of the features is the copper jacket, electro-chemically applied to the core. This results in a perfectly uniform jacket, ensuring consistent performance shot after shot. The skived, pre-programmed nose design is a game-changer, providing reliable expansion on impact, making every shot count. We all know the importance of deep penetration for effective hunting, and it delivers on this front with maximum weight retention. The ammo maintains its weight after impact, ensuring it goes the distance and delivers the desired results in the field. If you’re searching for a reliable and effective choice for whitetail hunting, this ammo won’t disappoint!
3# Winchester Platinum Tip Hollow Point 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 400 grain
This ammo combines cutting-edge technology with proven knock-down power and delivers a massive energy deposit – making it an impressive choice for your shooting adventures. The plated heavy wall jacket is designed to maximize penetration, making it ideal for taking on tough games. This ensures that the ammo maintains its momentum and delivers reliable performance in various hunting scenarios. The expansion is unparalleled, resulting in unmatched knock-down power and significant tissue damage. It’s impressive to witness the stopping power this ammo provides when taking down targets. Throughout our testing, we observed consistent and reliable performance with Winchester Platinum Tip Hollow Point 500 S&W Magnum Ammo. The technology behind it is evident, and it performs exactly as advertised. Each shot feels purposeful and effective, making it a valuable asset for our shooting endeavors. Whether you’re an avid hunter or just enjoy precision shooting, this ammo is worth considering for its impressive performance.
4# Winchester Dual Bond Handgun 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 375 grain
Introducing the Winchester Dual Bond Handgun 500 S&W Magnum Ammo, a product that showcases state-of-the-art “bullet within a bullet” technology. This innovative design features a proprietary construction with a massive hollow point, providing an impressive 12-segment expansion for maximum stopping power and quicker kills. It is its heavy outer jacket, which plays a vital role in protecting the inner bullet during deep driving penetration. This protection ensures optimal energy transfer and knock-down power upon impact, making it lethal at various ranges and impact velocities. As our tests have shown, it consistently delivered impressive results. The lethal stopping performance at different ranges and impact velocities gave us the confidence to take precise shots, knowing the ammunition would perform reliably. From its innovative design to the heavy outer jacket and proprietary bonding process, every aspect of this ammunition is engineered for maximum lethality and effectiveness.
5# Federal Premium Centerfire Handgun 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 275 grain
The first thing that stood out is the monolithic bullet design, crafted entirely from copper. This 275-grain bullet is a true performer, and we appreciate the efficiency and quality that Federal Premium has poured into its design and field testing. With a muzzle velocity of 1660 ft/s and muzzle energy of 1682 ft-lbs, this ammunition packs a punch that’s perfectly suited for big game hunting. Its nickel-plated brass cartridge case adds a touch of class while ensuring durability, making it an ideal choice for those challenging hunting trips. Whether it’s the accuracy, the reliable expansion, or the overall performance, Federal Premium Centerfire Handgun 500 S&W Magnum Ammo delivers on every front. It’s a great choice for those seeking a trustworthy and effective option for big game hunting. Stay safe, aim true, and enjoy your time outdoors!
6# Federal Premium Centerfire Handgun 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 325 grain
Check out the Federal Premium Centerfire Handgun 500 S&W Magnum Ammo! The semi-spitzer soft point bullets, weighing 325 grains, are a true performer. Based on our observations they deliver an impressive muzzle velocity of 1800 ft/s and muzzle energy of 2338 ft-lbs, making them a force to be reckoned with for big game hunting. One distinguishing feature is the expansion-arresting A-Frame design. The back half of the bullet remains intact, ensuring deep penetration and reliable performance even in tough games. To enhance reliability and durability, Federal uses nickel-plated brass cartridge cases. Not only does this prevent corrosion, but it also aids in smooth extraction, even in challenging conditions. Another highlight is the specially formulated propellant and unique Federal primer. These components work together seamlessly to deliver consistent and accurate performance, making every shot count. Don’t wait any longer – try this ammunition just now!
7# Hornady Custom 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 300 Grain
The Hornady Custom 500 S&W Magnum Ammo, is a product that truly brings innovation to the world of lever gun ammo. The Spitzer bullets feature safe designs that outshine their predecessors, delivering higher ballistic coefficients for flatter trajectories and increased downrange energy. It has an unbeatable bullet expansion at any range. Shooting with it provides the confidence of consistent and reliable expansion, making it ideal for medium and large game hunting. With a bullet weight of 300 grains, a muzzle velocity of 2075 ft/s, and a muzzle energy of 2868 ft-lbs, this ammunition packs a punch that meets the demands of challenging hunting scenarios. The brass used is specifically selected to ensure reliable feeding, corrosion resistance, proper hardness, and the ability to withstand maximum chamber pressures. Each primer is carefully matched to individual loads to ensure optimal ignition and consistency. Its advanced technology, unbeatable bullet expansion, and optimized performance make it a game-changer in the world of lever gun ammo!
How far will it kill?💥
The effective range of a .500 S&W Magnum cartridge largely depends on various factors, including the specific load, bullet type, barrel length, shooter’s skill, and the intended target. The cartridge is extremely powerful and capable of delivering significant energy to the target, making it effective at relatively long distances compared to most other handgun cartridges.
🎯 For self-defense or personal protection against human-sized targets, it is effective at typical handgun engagement distances, which are generally within 25 yards (75 feet) or less. However, its extreme power and recoil make it challenging to shoot accurately at longer distances, and most shooters will have difficulty consistently hitting targets beyond 50 yards (150 feet).
🎯 For hunting large game, the effective range can vary depending on the shooter’s skill level and the specific load used. Some experienced shooters with appropriate equipment and practice may be able to take ethical shots at large game animals like bears or boars at distances of up to 100 yards (300 feet) or slightly beyond.
📌 It’s crucial to understand that handguns, including the .500 S&W Magnum, are generally designed for short-range engagements. While they have potent stopping power, their effective range is limited compared to rifles.
FAQ🤩
Conclusion🤓
In conclusion, selecting the best 500 S&W Magnum ammo is critical for those seeking top-notch performance in their shooting and hunting endeavors. Throughout this article, we explored a range of ammunition options, each with unique characteristics and strengths. Whether embarking on big game hunting, engaging in target shooting, or exploring the thrill of the lever gun world, choosing the right ammo ensures optimal performance and a rewarding shooting experience. Thanks for reading!🤠👍
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I’ve recently experimented with working up some .500 S&W Magnum loads using .500 Specials as a starting point. What do you use?
In my experience with my 500 S&W Magnum revolver, I’ve discovered that the best hunting load is achieved using the hard-cast gas check bullet, which is listed as weighing 440 grains. However, with the added lube and gas check, they actually weigh around 478 grains. I cast these bullets from a mix of 95% WW alloy and 5% pure tin. This combination has been truly effective, making it a preferred choice for my hunting needs.
I recently acquired a S&W 500 Magnum, and I’m excited to start handloading for it. So far, I’ve shot 350-grain and 500-grain factory loads, and I’m eagerly waiting for the loading dies to arrive. I’m now on the lookout for good all-around bullets and a reliable deer-hunting round to reload for this powerful revolver. Any suggestions or recommendations from experienced reloaders would be greatly appreciated!
I love casting and loading my bullets, ranging from 385gr gas-checked HP to 700gr gas-checked HP/FP for my S&W 500 Magnum. However, if you need some rounds to use just now – Federal Premium Centerfire Handgun 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 275 Grain will be an excellent choice!
I own an S&W 500 with an 8 3/8″ barrel, and although I haven’t been actively using it for a couple of years, I had the best results with Hodgdon Lil’ Gun powder. Among the various bullet weights, I found the Federal Premium Centerfire Handgun 500 S&W Magnum Ammo 325 Grain to be my favorite. It was a satisfying combination that worked well for my shooting needs.
I’ll be using my handi rifle for shooting the 500 S&W Magnum. I’m seeking advice on your personal experience with loading hot ammo!
I’m wondering why there’s a desire to hot-rod the .500 S&W Magnum even further. When shooting it out of a rifle like the Handi-rifle, you’re already gaining an additional 300 ft/sec velocity, which should provide impressive performance. The .500 S&W Magnum fired from the Handi-rifle is likely to outperform many “+P” .45-70 Government loads, and it’s already an incredibly powerful round capable of taking down a wide range of games. In fact, there are probably very few things on this planet that can’t be effectively taken down with the .500 S&W Magnum, making it a formidable and versatile choice for hunting and shooting purposes.
I find loading hot to be an exhilarating experience. The thrill of more noise, blasts, and recoil makes shooting even more enjoyable for me. In my case, I use 1680 powder and my own custom-designed boolits, weighing 450, 550, and 625 grains. The 450-grain loads consistently provide MOA groups, the 550-grain loads achieve about 2 MOA, and the 625-grain loads achieve about 4 MOA. Interestingly, I’ve noticed that accuracy seems to improve with added velocity, as the boolits become better stabilized. This is especially evident with the 625-grain loads. I’ve been able to achieve velocities of 1700 fps with the 450-grain, 1500 fps with the 550-grain, and 1300 fps with the 625-grain loads, all while maintaining safe pressures. I haven’t observed any significant wear on the gun even after firing hundreds if not thousands, of rounds (though I haven’t kept an exact count).
I’m looking for some recommendations on good and reliable ammo brands and grain weights for the S&W 500 Magnum. I just want to avoid getting duds and would love to try a few different grain weights to see what works best for me. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
I’ve decided to start with the lowest grain possible, which I believe is 275g. From there, I plan to work my way up to higher grain weights to see how they perform with my S&W 500 Magnum revolver. As a safety precaution, I’ll load only one round the first time I shoot it to ensure I’m comfortable with the recoil and performance before proceeding further. This gradual approach will allow me to gauge which grain weight works best for my shooting preferences and needs. You can also try my method!