Thread: My new toy: a .500 S&W

Originally Posted by Rich007

Thanks for the advice Moa Hunter, what powder would you suggest I use for subs?

I would suggest AS-50N. This works very well in straight walled 44 mag cases, giving a velocity spread of only 1 to 2 fps with a mean velocity of 1020 fps . 7.4 grn x 300grn projectile.

If your case has a similar bore to powder charge capacity / case fill as the 44 it should work otherwise as shooternz suggests.

Thanks @shooternz and @Moahunter

I got hold of some AS-50N and loaded up some test loads to see what velocities I would get with @shooternz 's 500ge cast bullets

Velocities were as follows: 11.5gr:999fps, 11.7gr: 1015fps, 12gr:990fps, 12.3gr: 1043fps

I then loaded up 5X 11.7gr and 5X 12gr to so accuracy and ES testing. This is when things started turning to crap.....

11.7gr Velocities: 1016, 979, 943, 974, 1011 - with a grouping of approx. 1m at 50 yards (not all shots hit the target)

12gr Velocities: 1026, 992, 961, 1033, 1007 - with a similar grouping

Now, there are better shots than me, but WHAT THE HELL!!!

I talked to a mate who used to reload and shoot cast bullets and he thought I might have issues around not filling the case enough and suggested I 'pack' the case with dacron and/or try another powder.


Thoughts ???????...…….

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

I would suggest AS-50N. This works very well in straight walled 44 mag cases, giving a velocity spread of only 1 to 2 fps with a mean velocity of 1020 fps . 7.4 grn x 300grn projectile.

If your case has a similar bore to powder charge capacity / case fill as the 44 it should work otherwise as shooternz suggests.