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.500 S&W options (need advice from owners)

DONDALINGER
I am looking at either a S&W revolver chambered in .500 S&W with a 6.5 inch barrel or the Magnum Research BFR chambered in .500 S&W with the 7.5 inch barrel. I wanted to get opinions from those that actually own or have owned either of these. The BFR is single action and the Smith is double action. The difference in price between the 2 is less than $100. I would imagine the Smith would have way better resale value. I would use this revolver mainly for hunting whitetail. I do hunt in bear country as well. All my relatives have the S&W and they all have the 8 3/8" barrel or longer. I have never cared for the really long revolvers, but according to them it really tames the recoil and gives considerably better accuracy. All opinions welcome. Thanks, Don
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10 comments

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  • randomnut
    I've got the Smith with 6" barrel. I'm currently shooting 440gr cast bullets. Mine is ported, no recoil up, but your palm would appreciate a glove. It's a kickin sumbitch.
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  • Mercury
    I have one of the first S&W 500s off the line. I bought it about a month after they came out, used. It had been shot 3 times. [:D] Came with a full box of ammo, minus 3!

    I don't find the recoil unpleasant, but I am 6'3" and quite "substantial" in mass. [8D]

    I would imagine the Smith would be easier to resell, and hold it's value better than the MR. I don't think can you can go wrong with the Smith. I love mine!

    For the $100 difference, I'd buy the "known" gun every time.

    Merc
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  • savage170
    I have the 8 3/8 barrel Smith I soon discover that if I stayed with the 400 grain or less loads it was not bad to shoot start getting into 500+ grain it starts getting unpleasant
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  • chiefr
    I own and shoot one. Recoil is manageable.

    Get the S&W and you will not regret it. Resale value alone make it a better choice. There is plenty of power in the 7.5". 350 HDY XTPs @ 1600FPS will take out any large game and HDY makes a 500gr HP that will exit the barrel @ around 1300FPS. I have seen these expand to one inch! Such power should handle the largest bruin.

    Recoil with 350s is not bad if you are used to magnum handguns. 500 and over is for seasoned shooters and will shoot tight groups if you can handle recoil.

    Keep in mind 500 special brass is available from Starline if you want mild loads.
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  • Grasshopper
    Had both and the BFR IS a quality item. That said, get a S&W 460 and have multi calibers. YES, had that one also.
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  • 11b6r
    My LGS has a S&W /500 for sale. For the 4th time. Less than a box of ammo thru it. Someone buys it, brings it back on consignment. Seriously.
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  • DONDALINGER
    Thanks for all the insight. I currently have a H&R Handi Rifle chambered in .500 S&W and wanted a revolver to go with it. I am currently loading 350 grain jacketed flat points with Starline brass and H110 which are grouping good out of the rifle. I had some hangfires with regular rifle primers. Supposedly, magnum rifle primers will correct this. This cartridge is fairly new to me (about a year).
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  • chiefr
    quote:Originally posted by DONDALINGER
    Thanks for all the insight. I currently have a H&R Handi Rifle chambered in .500 S&W and wanted a revolver to go with it. I am currently loading 350 grain jacketed flat points with Starline brass and H110 which are grouping good out of the rifle. I had some hangfires with regular rifle primers. Supposedly, magnum rifle primers will correct this. This cartridge is fairly new to me (about a year).



    Yep, best use magnum primers with this powder and its twin 296. If you are getting blowby on your cases and unburnt powder as well as hangfires, go to the magnums.

    I am a big fan of this powder in many carts. LilGun is another good powder to use with the 500 and you do not need mag primers.
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  • DONDALINGER
    Yep, best use magnum primers with this powder and its twin 296. If you are getting blowby on your cases and unburnt powder as well as hangfires, go to the magnums.

    I am a big fan of this powder in many carts. LilGun is another good powder to use with the 500 and you do not need mag primers.


    Yes, I did notice there was a considerable amount of "blow by" and some unburnt powder. I also use 26 grains of H110 for the .44 magnum pushing a 240 grain XTP. Very accurate (and very stout) load.
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  • mlincoln
    quote:Originally posted by 11b6r
    My LGS has a S&W /500 for sale. For the 4th time. Less than a box of ammo thru it. Someone buys it, brings it back on consignment. Seriously.


    There on YouTube there's some video from a gun shop owner who has sold the same 458 Winchester three or four times. A guy comes in and buys it, shoots in 2 or 3 times, and then sells it back to the shop.

    There's a local woman who is absolutely gorgeous and a complete PITA psycho witch. You walk into a bar with her and the whole bar gets quiet. She's that pretty. And she demands you take her to the nicest places, runs up huge tabs, goes crazy on you for no reason, etc. She's had a million boyfriends, each one lasting about a month. I imagine it's pretty much the same thing as the .500 and the 458.
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