Smith and Wesson model 500 8.38 in barrel

[Jwatts8815]

My 629 has a big brother!! I bought the MP 502-385 GC with all the different HP pins, new, on Ebay and it’ll be here Friday. I bought an iron 2 cavity Accurate 50-710WG too but I’m expecting a 6-8 week for that mold. Gonna be casting and loading the MP 502-385 this weekend. This will be my first MP mold

 

[Glaciers]

No disrespect Jwatts, but I can’t see it. Dragging around a ungainly 4 &1/2 pound revolver when for a couple more pounds a Winchester or Marlin 45-70 is handy. A rifle you can lean against a tree, fence, wall, whatever, but a big azz pistol out of respect for the firearm, needs to be supported or placed somewhere.
Now I can see the fun part of playing with a hand cannon, and it sounds like that’s territory your exploring. Can’t say I haven’t done that as well. But the first time I handled a X frame was on my vessel when one of the shore party research crew asked if he could have it along for Bear protection. I said sure, but, wanted to see how it would work out for him. On the first day it was sitting in a bag on his pack safely further away from the tide water work. A couple days later when I was taking crew to shore, I asked where his pistol was and he said it was safely stowed in his bunk.
Don’t get me wrong, my 45-70 or 458x2 would be with me if places were reversed, but it wouldn’t be handy either. It would be safely up away from the tide water work, leaning against a tree. Probably about as effective as the pistol in that case.
As big as I’m going is the 480 Ruger. I have zero use for the 454, 460, or the 500’s out there, can’t see it in a pistol. Now in a lever gun, different story. You mileage just might very. Which makes life interesting.
I admit I’m interested in your 700 grain slugs in your revolver. That could be a good show.

 

[Jwatts8815]

No disrespect Jwatts, but I can’t see it. Dragging around a ungainly 4 &1/2 pound revolver when for a couple more pounds a Winchester or Marlin 45-70 is handy. A rifle you can lean against a tree, fence, wall, whatever, but a big azz pistol out of respect for the firearm, needs to be supported or placed somewhere.
Now I can see the fun part of playing with a hand cannon, and it sounds like that’s territory your exploring. Can’t say I haven’t done that as well. But the first time I handled a X frame was on my vessel when one of the shore party research crew asked if he could have it along for Bear protection. I said sure, but, wanted to see how it would work out for him. On the first day it was sitting in a bag on his pack safely further away from the tide water work. A couple days later when I was taking crew to shore, I asked where his pistol was and he said it was safely stowed in his bunk.
Don’t get me wrong, my 45-70 or 458x2 would be with me if places were reversed, but it wouldn’t be handy either. It would be safely up away from the tide water work, leaning against a tree. Probably about as effective as the pistol in that case.
As big as I’m going is the 480 Ruger. I have zero use for the 454, 460, or the 500’s out there, can’t see it in a pistol. Now in a lever gun, different story. You mileage just might very. Which makes life interesting.
I admit I’m interested in your 700 grain slugs in your revolver. That could be a good show.

I’ll be honest, I have hunting handguns, and everyday carry guns, hunting rifles, plenty of paper punchers with long barrels and short ones.......plenty of guns that serve an EXACT purpose and do it extremely well...this was purely for entertainment, COULD I take it hunting, absolutely, will I carry it at work? maybe one day I will for kicks if I can find a big enough holster . I am very intrigued by that 710 grain mold and am interested to see what I can do with it. Now that I’m casting, I’ve gotten very interested in the 500 overall and think I’ll have a lot of fun with. I have a safe literally overflowing with “ purposeful “ guns

 

[Glaciers]

Well that Smith X frame with the 10” barrel comes with a sling for easy carry much like my Marlin.
Looks like fun. Enjoy.

 

[Jwatts8815]

N

Well that Smith X frame with the 10” barrel comes with a sling for easy carry much like my Marlin.
Looks like fun. Enjoy.

Now......I think as far as S&W X frame ultra magnums go, the XVR is more “ useful” than the 500, purely bc you can shoot 460, 454 and 45 colt. If you NEED it for hand gun hunting, you’d be better suited with the XVR in my opinion

 

[JonB]

Funny Story,
I bought a S&W X frame 500 and then a couple expensive bullet molds. I loaded a couple hundred rounds. I shot a box of factory ammo and about 25 of my hand loads, then traded the gun and ammo to a friend. He asked me to assemble a couple hundred factory level loads with jacketed bullets and also some cast loads. He took it to the range a dozen times, and shot 2 or 3 rounds each visit, then traded the gun and ammo pile to another friend.
Most of the people I know that have owned one of these monsters, has a similar story to tell.

 

[Jwatts8815]

Funny Story,
I bought a S&W X frame 500 and then a couple expensive bullet molds. I loaded a couple hundred rounds. I shot a box of factory ammo and about 25 of my hand loads, then traded the gun and ammo to a friend. He asked me to assemble a couple hundred factory level loads with jacketed bullets and also some cast loads. He took it to the range a dozen times, and shot 2 or 3 rounds each visit, then traded to gun and ammo pile to another friend.
Most of the people I know that have owned one of these monsters, has a similar story to tell.

That very well be the case with me, but I do have an overflowing safe with guns that I adore and I have never ever in my life sold a gun. I enjoy my purchases, I literally shoot every single weekend. I really never understood folks selling their own guns, I keep em in my safe until I feel like shooting em. I don’t buy things I’m unsure about but to each their own

 

[Jwatts8815]

Funny Story,
I bought a S&W X frame 500 and then a couple expensive bullet molds. I loaded a couple hundred rounds. I shot a box of factory ammo and about 25 of my hand loads, then traded the gun and ammo to a friend. He asked me to assemble a couple hundred factory level loads with jacketed bullets and also some cast loads. He took it to the range a dozen times, and shot 2 or 3 rounds each visit, then traded the gun and ammo pile to another friend.
Most of the people I know that have owned one of these monsters, has a similar story to tell.

Makes ZERO sense to me selling a gun, I have plenty of guns I only shoot occasionally but I still love to death.

 

[Jwatts8815]

I

Funny Story,
I bought a S&W X frame 500 and then a couple expensive bullet molds. I loaded a couple hundred rounds. I shot a box of factory ammo and about 25 of my hand loads, then traded the gun and ammo to a friend. He asked me to assemble a couple hundred factory level loads with jacketed bullets and also some cast loads. He took it to the range a dozen times, and shot 2 or 3 rounds each visit, then traded the gun and ammo pile to another friend.
Most of the people I know that have owned one of these monsters, has a similar story to tell.

Im also not hard up for money so I’ve never felt the need to sell my property either

 

[JonB]

I was just telling a story about "most" people I know, you could very well be an exception.

I owned the gun for 2 or 3 years, my buddy had it for 5 years. The novelty didn't wear off in a couple months. Like you, I 'had' a over flowing gunsafe. My buddy still has a overflowing gunsafe. It's just that sooner or later when it comes time to do some swapping, it seems the 500 jumps to the front of the line, especially for some of us older codgers that have had their fill of too much recoil.

 

[Jwatts8815]

I was just telling a story about "most" people I know, you could very well be an exception.

I owned the gun for 2 or 3 years, my buddy had it for 5 years. The novelty didn't wear off in a couple months. Like you, I 'had' a over flowing gunsafe. My buddy still has a overflowing gunsafe. It's just that sooner or later when it comes time to do some swapping, it seems the 500 jumps to the front of the line, especially for some of us older codgers that have had their fill of too much recoil.

No, I understand completely and like I said, I may do exactly that OR it just gets parked in the safe, I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a recoil chaser, love my 38 spl and low velocity 45 colt, we shall see. Either way I’ll have some fun with it

 

[dale2242]

I shot a buddys X frame 500 S&W with factory and cast reloads.
I didn`t find the recoil any worse than heavy loads in a 44 Mag. due to difference in the revolvers weights.

 

[Jwatts8815]

I shot a buddys X frame 500 S&W with factory and cast reloads.
I didn`t find the recoil any worse than heavy loads in a 44 Mag. due to difference in the revolvers weights.

That’s what I’ve heard, very excited to try some different loads for those two bullets. Gonna do full power loads but have plans for some awesome low velocity Trail Boss loads too

 

[Jwatts8815]

I shot a buddys X frame 500 S&W with factory and cast reloads.
I didn`t find the recoil any worse than heavy loads in a 44 Mag. due to difference in the revolvers weights.

We shall see, I’m really intrigued by these big ole magnum cases, like I mentioned above, I’m FAR from a recoil chaser, I love my low recoil guns BUT, I’ll be able to do some fun stuff with this caliber

 

[CZ93X62]

As I have aged past the 60-year mark, my handgun caliber tastes have changed. The only Magnum revolver caliber I shoot in large numbers is the 357, because it is one of my carry calibers. Most of my 44 Mag/45 Colt Ruger shooting runs a standard weight cast SWC or FN about 950-1000 FPS. I don't mind recoil WHEN NEEDED, but I don't pursue it as a free-standing recreational goal anymore. That 40+ years of full-tilt handgun recoil eventually knocked some sense into me, it appears. Anyone choosing to herd such beasts has my enthusiastic encouragement, but as a spectator.

 

[Jwatts8815]

As I have aged past the 60-year mark, my handgun caliber tastes have changed. The only Magnum revolver caliber I shoot in large numbers is the 357, because it is one of my carry calibers. Most of my 44 Mag/45 Colt Ruger shooting runs a standard weight cast SWC or FN about 950-1000 FPS. I don't mind recoil WHEN NEEDED, but I don't pursue it as a free-standing recreational goal anymore. That 40+ years of full-tilt handgun recoil eventually knocked some sense into me, it appears. Anyone choosing to herd such beasts has my enthusiastic encouragement, but as a spectator.

Completely understood, I shoot very few magnums myself, I own more than a few I’ve acquired over the years but not Guns I pull out very often. I’m excited to mess around with some different loads, full power AND reduced ones, I enjoy collecting and owning different guns as much as I do shooting on a regular basis. Same thing with molds, I’m pumped to get that 710 grainer, it’s big and ridiculous but can’t wait to get it hot. I just enjoy Guns and casting. It certainly won’t be a gun I shoot weekly but I’m glad I bought it bc I’ll have fun with it

 

[CZ93X62]

That is EXCELLENT. More power to ya!

 

[Jwatts8815]

As I have aged past the 60-year mark, my handgun caliber tastes have changed. The only Magnum revolver caliber I shoot in large numbers is the 357, because it is one of my carry calibers. Most of my 44 Mag/45 Colt Ruger shooting runs a standard weight cast SWC or FN about 950-1000 FPS. I don't mind recoil WHEN NEEDED, but I don't pursue it as a free-standing recreational goal anymore. That 40+ years of full-tilt handgun recoil eventually knocked some sense into me, it appears. Anyone choosing to herd such beasts has my enthusiastic encouragement, but as a spectator.

I DO find the magnum guns are getting pulled out more often now that I cast, more reduced load, comfortable to shoot, options available with cast

 

[CZ93X62]

Yessir, that is the principal side-effect I've noticed from casting bullets as well.

 

[Jwatts8815]

Yessir, that is the principal side-effect I've noticed from casting bullets as well.

Haha, has absolutely reawakened my love for a few guns that had me recoil shy, i would never have bought a 500 sw if I wasn’t casting, I’ll tell you that.