Getting into the handgun hunting game. 500 S&W

[Backyardsniper]

I am making a dedicated move into handgun hunting. I have owned a Redhawk 44 magnum for a long time and I have a lot of experience with it. However, I am looking to get into a more specialized hunting pistol and cartridge.
The questions I have for any of you with experience with this caliber or these particular revolvers are as follows;
Is there any particular difference in performance between the 7.5" and 10" performance center pistols. I will be running this with a trijicon RMR and I like the fact that the pic rail is machined in and sits lower on the 10" so that is the pistol I'm leaning towards.
Is there any reason to look at any of the other revolvers available. The BFR, or Freedom arms?
Would there be any reason to look into another type of specialized pistol for this task, the task being able to handle large game up to bear, elk/moose, and or even large African antelope such as Kudu or Eland, Wildebeest.
I do reload so I can control power level for training purposes. I plan to use the Sierra 400 grain, at least I think that looks like one of the better options. I live about 15 min from a great outdoor range and can also shoot out to 50 yards in my back yard so having the ability to train and practice with it will not be an issue.
I am looking at the 500 because the 500 seems to have a better selection of heavy duty hunting bullets and since I reload I can control the power level, while it is handy that the 460 shoots the 45 and 454 once I buy the brass and bullets for the 500 I can make training rounds with that.
All opinions and suggestion are welcome.
Thanks.

 

[analog_peninsula]

The revolvers with shorter cylinders balance better than those with longer cylinders. I had a BFR in .500 caliber and was generally satisfied with it, even though it was quite awkward. Very accurate though. I prefer both my S&W .460 and my Freedom Arms .454. I’d handle as many different pistols as I could, and focus on the ergonomics rather than the ballistics. I’ve also got a Contender and a Wichita bolt gun, but you were mentioning revolvers.

 

[Backyardsniper]

The revolvers with shorter cylinders balance better than those with longer cylinders. I had a BFR in .500 caliber and was generally satisfied with it, even though it was quite awkward. Very accurate though. I prefer both my S&W .460 and my Freedom Arms .454. I’d handle as many different pistols as I could, and focus on the ergonomics rather than the ballistics. I’ve also got a Contender and a Wichita bolt gun, but you were mentioning revolvers.

Thanks man. I do want to get my hands on a few different pistols. I am not completely against the idea of a single shot or encore type pistol. I had one in 7/08 and it was scary accurate. I'm still definitely in the R&D phase. You prefer the 454/460 due to the handling, or recoil?

 

[Flbt]

I am making a dedicated move into handgun hunting. I have owned a Redhawk 44 magnum for a long time and I have a lot of experience with it. However, I am looking to get into a more specialized hunting pistol and cartridge.
The questions I have for any of you with experience with this caliber or these particular revolvers are as follows;
Is there any particular difference in performance between the 7.5" and 10" performance center pistols. I will be running this with a trijicon RMR and I like the fact that the pic rail is machined in and sits lower on the 10" so that is the pistol I'm leaning towards.
Is there any reason to look at any of the other revolvers available. The BFR, or Freedom arms?
Would there be any reason to look into another type of specialized pistol for this task, the task being able to handle large game up to bear, elk/moose, and or even large African antelope such as Kudu or Eland, Wildebeest.
I do reload so I can control power level for training purposes. I plan to use the Sierra 400 grain, at least I think that looks like one of the better options. I live about 15 min from a great outdoor range and can also shoot out to 50 yards in my back yard so having the ability to train and practice with it will not be an issue.
I am looking at the 500 because the 500 seems to have a better selection of heavy duty hunting bullets and since I reload I can control the power level, while it is handy that the 460 shoots the 45 and 454 once I buy the brass and bullets for the 500 I can make training rounds with that.
All opinions and suggestion are welcome.
Thanks.

I had a 500 in the handy rifle I didn’t like the recoil out of the rifle. And had at that time been using a 10ga and 338 wm on a normal basis. I got it sold and never thought of getting a hand gun in it
Had a friend point out the h&r was lighter than the s&w 500 long barrel hand gun.

I don’t know if it was the rifle it’s self or what but that is the only gun I ever shot that really hurt
And I have shot a 460 wm 1 times and it didn’t really hurt + light ml in 54 cal and 10ga and the bps in 10 and 825 11 ga 3 1/2 on

 

[Hunter4752001]

I have taken Kudu with a 454 Casull so I doubt you'd have any trouble with a 500 S&W. I agree with other comments that ergonomics and packability or more important than power level. I have recently acquired a BFR and find that its superb accuracy and trigger, but it's harder on recoil than a double action due to grip shape. Ergonomics is an individual thing, try as many diferent guns as possible to find what works best for you.

 

[Flewis]

Having shot the 7.5 inch and the 3 inch in 500, I would go with the 7.5 inch for hunting. The 10 inch would need sticks or a rest of some sort. I also shot some very hot 500grain loads from the S&W 3 inch and it has less recoil than my 5 inch 454 FA. I would go with the S&W. Also have a t/c encore rifle in 500 and recoil is quite mild.

 

[Backyardsniper]

Having shot the 7.5 inch and the 3 inch in 500, I would go with the 7.5 inch for hunting. The 10 inch would need sticks or a rest of some sort. I also shot some very hot 500grain loads from the S&W 3 inch and it has less recoil than my 5 inch 454 FA. I would go with the S&W. Also have a t/c encore rifle in 500 and recoil is quite mild.

Thanks! I am going to try to get out to a range and rent one. I'm sure I'll have to drive a little ways but it will be worth it to shoot a few and see what I like. That 7.5" might be a little handier than the 10"

 

[Wyatt Smith]

If I get anything bigger that a 44 magnum it will be a FA 475 linebaugh. The caliber always intrigued me so, and the revolvers have a great reputation.

 

[Desaad]

I have a 6" Smith .500 that shoots great with an UltraDot. Killed lots of deer & groundhogs with it. Also have a Taurus Raging Bull .550 with a 2-6 Bushnell Elite on it. Both shoot great. Killed a 8' brown bear at 129 with a 375X with the Taurus.
Both are very heavy. When I go on any kind of dangerous game hunts I take my FA .475 Linebaugh that I killed a 5000# rhino with. A much lighter gun & pretty close to .500 power (at least for the rhino) and extremely accurate.

 

[roklok]

I haven't owned either of the X Frames, but have shot a few S&W X Frame 500s and 460s. I prefer the 500s shootability over the 460. The 460 is just nastier to shoot and higher pressure, like getting slapped in the face from the blast with each shot. Not sure if I could tell a difference in recoil.

 

[calling4life]

I bought a 4" 500 and a couple years back had a custom 1/12 twist barrel put on it, it was also threaded to put a real muzzle brake on it. It now finishes at about 5" with my muzzle brake.

You can shoot 500 JRH or 500 S&W short in these, and then there are reduced recoil 500 S&W loads available as well, pick any of them, as they all are essentially the same.
Just so people know, you don't have to reload to find reduced loads for these.

Hawk makes bullets for these that are more "normal" jacketed hunting style bullets, Bengal Bullets makes hardcast bullets you can buy for these, Matt's Bullets is another straight lead maker. And Cutting Edge does make a solid for these at 400gr and a hollow point at 340.


I mentioned Hawk Bullets above because they have 450gr options, I'd be looking to try and be above 400gr, closer to 500 is better yet. I mention Matt's because, while he doesn't list his massive hollowpoints for sale as just bullets, you may contact him and see if he'd sell them. He has a 425gr and a 635gr hollow point where the cavity is massive. I run some of his 425gr versions in his loaded ammo, I've recovered a couple of them from a dead tree and they mushroomed unbelievably well.
For thicker skinned game, that 635gr version may hold together really well and give you an insane wound channel.
I'd say they are worth a try.

But, you've got a backyard range, so, simply test them, buy the whole gamut, 300gr to 700gr from several makers and see what impresses you. See what maintains straight-line penetration, what bullets break apart vs hold together and so forth.

My interest in the 500 was never about hunting, more defense, so my testing has only been with flat nose hardcast type bullets, the 460gr long flat nose being the best I've really tested in my gun.

 

[Brian]

The .500 S&W with the 410 grain CEB Raptor bullet at 1,920 fps muzzle velocity works DRT. on cape buffalo. I have done it three times using a H&R Handi rifle. Each shot was a one shot, broad side shoulder shot at about 45 yds, center of shoulder for each buffalo, a bit above the heart, not direct heart shot. ( two blades from Raptor bullet hit the heart) This is true with no BS or exaggerations. "You can take it to the bank".

I know that the pistol velocity is less than my 1,920 fps rifle velocity. I just state this an an accurate reference for you.

In my opinion Your results will be similar only if you use a CEB Raptor bullet, nothing else. I think that they have couple of lighter .500 cal Raptors in the 385 range that would be the "cats meow" for hunting cape buffalo with a pistol if you can't get the 410 grain Raptor going fast enough for your taste. They have been used successfully at rifle velocity withe the 500 Super Short mag. on Australian buffalo.

A 500 S&W mag with full loads in you pistol at 30-50 yds, hit the top of the buffalo's heart ( blades from the raptor bullet will break off an "slice and dice" the heart as well as the lungs.) on a broad side shot with the 385 -410 grain bullet and you will probably have a one shot kill. You sure won't need a tracker. Have fun Brian

 

[Brian]

PS Backyardsniper.

For PG with a 500 S&W Pistol, check out the CEB 335 gr Raptor, 350 ESP Raptor. ( I think that 10 inch barrel is best.) Brian

 

[Backyardsniper]

PS Backyardsniper.

For PG with a 500 S&W Pistol, check out the CEB 335 gr Raptor, 350 ESP Raptor. ( I think that 10 inch barrel is best.) Brian

I think the 10" is exactly what I'm looking for. I ordered the Dillon powder funnel and locator buttons for my RL550 yesterday. I am slowly collecting the reloading equipment as well as brass and bullets before I get the actual pistol. I want to get a good set of shooting sticks as well. I have the African sporting creation stick and they work well, but only for standing. I will probably employ this gun a lot from a sitting position, kind of turken hunting style, or from a ground blind. I am really looking forward to getting started with it. I believe a good high quality red dot is probably the best route to go for optics and sighting. Maybe a combo of a red dot and a 4× scope with QD mounts so I can kind of configure the gun for the particular mission at hand.

 

[Brian]

Backyard sniper, I use realized that I may have given you poor info. My bad ! I was describing and suggesting CEB rifle bullets, not pistol bullets and they are probably too long to fit in a revolver chamber.

Sorry for the confusion, I got too excited and didn't think it through.

CEB has a .500 Pistol bullet but I have no experience with it.

 

[Backyardsniper]

Backyard sniper, I use realized that I may have given you poor info. My bad ! I was describing and suggesting CEB rifle bullets, not pistol bullets and they are probably too long to fit in a revolver chamber.

Sorry for the confusion, I got too excited and didn't think it through.

CEB has a .500 Pistol bullet but I have no experience with it.

They have a 400 grain solid and I believe a 340 grain raptor. I killed my elephant with their 470 solid and it was impressive. I have shot a deer with the .50 raptor in a 500 Jeffrey. I like the CEB bullets quits a bit. I would say the 400 grain solid would be plenty for buffalo. I am looking forward to trying them. The 500 grain hornady XTP loaded.ammo is on sale at midway right now. I am tempted.to pick up a box or two. I may take a road trip to KYGUNCO in the morning to see if I can actually put my hands on one of these pistols.