.500 S&W Mag Ammo
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.500 S&W Mag: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Revolver |
| Primer Type | Large Pistol |
| Used For | Hunting Large Game, Self-Defense Against Dangerous Animals |
| Case Design | Rimmed, Straight |
| Year Introduced | 2003 |
.500 S&W Mag: At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Extremely powerful for a handgun cartridge
- ✔ Effective for hunting large and dangerous game
- ✔ Long effective range for a handgun
- ✔ Impressive stopping power
- ✔ Versatile with various bullet weights available
Cons
- ✘ Severe recoil, challenging for many shooters
- ✘ Expensive ammunition
- ✘ Heavy firearms required to handle the cartridge
- ✘ Limited firearm options compared to more common calibers
- ✘ Overpenetration risk in self-defense situations
.500 S&W Magnum: The Ultimate Handgun Cartridge
The .500 S&W Magnum is the most powerful commercial handgun cartridge in the world. Developed by Smith & Wesson and Cor-Bon, it was introduced in 2003 to be used in the Smith & Wesson Model 500 revolver. This massive cartridge was designed for hunting large and dangerous game, offering unprecedented stopping power in a handgun platform. With its immense power and recoil, the .500 S&W Magnum is not for the faint of heart, but it has carved out a niche among handgun hunters and firearm enthusiasts seeking the ultimate in handgun performance.
Development and Characteristics
The .500 S&W Magnum was developed in response to a growing demand for a handgun cartridge capable of taking down the largest game animals. Smith & Wesson collaborated with ammunition manufacturer Cor-Bon to create a round that would surpass all existing handgun cartridges in terms of power and energy.
The cartridge is based on a lengthened .500 S&W Special case, which itself was derived from the .500 Maximum cartridge. It features a .500 inch (12.7 mm) diameter bullet, typically weighing between 275 and 700 grains. The case length is 1.625 inches (41.28 mm), and the overall cartridge length is 2.300 inches (58.42 mm).
Due to its immense power, the .500 S&W Magnum generates significant recoil, making it challenging to shoot accurately for many users. However, its energy output makes it capable of taking down any game animal in North America, including large bears and even African dangerous game.
The .500 S&W Magnum has found popularity among handgun hunters, particularly those pursuing large and dangerous game. It has also gained a following among firearm enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate its raw power and the engineering feat it represents in handgun design.
Applications and Limitations
The primary application of the .500 S&W Magnum is big game hunting. It is particularly well-suited for hunting large, thick-skinned animals such as elephants, Cape buffalo, and rhinoceros. In North America, it is used for hunting bears, moose, and other large game animals.
While extremely powerful, the .500 S&W Magnum's practical applications are limited by its massive recoil and the large, heavy revolvers required to chamber it. These factors make it impractical for self-defense or law enforcement use. The cartridge is also expensive to shoot regularly, which limits its use in casual target shooting.
Despite these limitations, the .500 S&W Magnum has carved out a dedicated niche in the firearms world. It remains the go-to choice for handgun hunters seeking the ultimate in power and performance, and continues to be a source of fascination for firearm enthusiasts worldwide.
Timeline of .500 S&W Magnum Development:
.500 S&W Magnum Performance
The .500 S&W Magnum offers unparalleled performance in a handgun cartridge. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Bullet Diameter | .500 inch (12.7 mm) Largest commercially available handgun bullet diameter |
| Bullet Weight | 275-700 grains Wide range of bullet weights available for various applications |
| Muzzle Velocity | 1,200-2,075 fps Varies significantly based on bullet weight and load |
| Muzzle Energy | 2,600-3,030 ft-lbs Highest muzzle energy of any commercial handgun cartridge |
| Effective Range | 100-200 yards Practical accuracy limited by heavy recoil and bullet drop |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .500 S&W Magnum loads.
.500 S&W Mag: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .500 S&W Mag ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting (Large Game) | 0-100 | Powerful enough for the largest game animals at close range |
| Self-Defense | 0-25 | Extremely powerful, but recoil limits practical range |
| Target Shooting | 0-50 | Challenging recoil, but capable of good accuracy at short ranges |
| Handgun Silhouette | 0-200 | Can be used for long-range handgun competitions |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .500 S&W Mag is known for its extreme power and recoil, which can limit practical shooting ranges for many users. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .500 S&W Mag
The .500 S&W Mag's immense power makes it suitable for specific applications:
Caliber Comparisons
To understand the .500 S&W Mag's place in the handgun world, it's helpful to compare it to similar large-bore cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .500 S&W Mag with other powerful handgun cartridges. (Based on a 4 lb handgun)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .500 S&W Mag with other powerful handgun cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .500 S&W Mag with other powerful handgun cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .500 S&W Mag with other powerful handgun cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .500 S&W Mag
The .500 S&W Magnum is a powerful handgun cartridge known for its high energy and large bullet diameter. This table compares the sectional density of various bullet weights for the .500 S&W Mag.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .500 S&W Mag | 275 | 0.210 |
| .500 S&W Mag | 325 | 0.248 |
| .500 S&W Mag | 350 | 0.267 |
| .500 S&W Mag | 400 | 0.305 |
| .500 S&W Mag | 500 | 0.382 |
Note: The .500 S&W Mag has a bullet diameter of 0.500 inches. Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². The high sectional densities of heavier bullets contribute to the cartridge's reputation for deep penetration and high energy transfer.