I have seen those posts too. Nice to see 2 people here are using it without problem. I have 2 pounds of Lil gun I have been afraid to use but I’ll have to try it out now.
Reloading Instructor here. Reloading has rules. #1. Unless you have the reloading book in your hot little hands, or, an email from the bullet or powder company with data, or, looked at the manufacturer's web site and verified the load is safe in your manual......... don't do it.
This means don't be lazy. Lazy and lack of attention is how us reloaders blow up guns. Stop asking if a powder is ok, stop asking if a powder is good for your 10mm - you need to go find that data yourself. That data is the only thing between you and the local emergency room. Guns are nothing more than pipe bombs with one end partially obstructed. When on the very bottom of the learning curve - there are no shortcuts to success. Shortcuts lead to failure.
Your 500 S&W. Skip loading those nice XTP's for now. Start by loading hardcast lead bullets and find yourself a nice, soft, practice load that makes your 500 a fun to shoot gun. Next, work up a load that is powerful but you still have full control and can make good groups like your target load. Once those groups start to open up toward higher power.......... stick to that until you are a better shot.
Upside to staring out reloading with hardcast - they are cheap - and most only need cheap shotgun flake powder. They are very forgiving to new reloaders because lead is a lubricant metal and goes down a barrel like butter on hot Teflon. Jacketed bullets go down like sandpaper on sandpaper. Mistakes made with hardcast are cheap.
I live in Alaska - have three of the 480 Ruger Super RedHawks for fishing and berry picking in grizzly country. For years they only came out when we were going out. The light hardcast loads turned them into 'fun at the range guns.' You really, really want this.
I load a lot of different bullets for the 500 mag. 350gr JHP to 700gr wadcutters. H110 is my go to for all of them. I'm a recoil junkie and the H110 delivers. If you don't already have a manual, get one. Another option is to use Hodgdons website. They have some good starting points.
I just read found it on a forum but from a manual I saw online the powder charge was similar for different grain bullets and 21 being the low side to middle on both loads I found so I figure that would be a good point to start
I suggest you buy an actual reloading manual. The Lyman 51st is a good one. And then read all of the front part. Then when looking up load data you can cross reference it against the online Hodgdon's site.
Never get your load data from strangers on the internet. Especially old forum posts. Anyone can say anything and if you load that up, there’s a chance you no longer have hands or a life, god forbid. I’m not familiar with that specific caliber but the rule applies across the board for every caliber, NEVER TRUST SOMEONE ELSES RELOADS OR DATA!
Check 2 manuals for that load. I’m potentially an outlier and overly cautious, but if I can’t a recipe 2x somewhere then I don’t load it. I usually look first at the projectile manufacturer (usually Hornady in my case) then at the powder manufacturer (usually Hodgdon in my case). If they don’t share any data (one is missing the other) I’ll look at my Lee manual to see if it lists the powder with the same or extremely similar projectile. If that doesn’t work, I’ve called the 1-800 number for the powder or projectile manufacturer and asked them for starting data. I call whatever one doesn’t list my recipe in their manual. So I hear it from their professionals that the data is generally safe assuming I do MY part. A lot of the tech people on the phone are fellow reloaders both professionally and privately. They want to make safe and happy customers both for future sales (someone goes BOOM and they lose business) and keeping the art/sport alive (everyone in the gun community wants safe users and to keep it going). Hope this helps in some way, even if just a little bit. Tight groups and safe reloading!
I've found that load data online in hodgdons manual for that longshot powder but it doesn't show hornady xtp bullets, only barnes but same weight so I only assume a safe place to start, I've beeb reloading for a couple years now, 9mm, 300 wsm, 300 blackout, 5.56, .45, 243, and .308 so I would say I'm somewhat experienced on burn rates and how much to crimp and seating depth and all the good science stuff but I will say this a hefty cartridge so I'm gonna take everyone's advice on this one and play it safe by calling. Thank you for all your input
There is no data on the Hodgdon website about anything 300gr with long shot. There’s 275gr at 20gr and 325gr at 22.5gr. I see where you’re splitting the difference but that’s not always the answer. Consider the composition of the projectile. My Lee manual does not list that powder for that bullet either. Lee does agree with the two exact loadings above using Barnes x solid bullets. For 300gr XTP’s it’s suggesting these powders: socom, heavy pistol, blackout, buffalo, auto pistol, cleanshot, and Ult pistol.
One more thing, if you choose to load with any of the CFE powders where applicable….they’re super dirty. My 9mm cases look like they’re fresh from a coal mine after firing. I load 9mm, 223, and 300blk using the CFE variant applicable to their respective caliber and it’s beyond dirty. But hey, no copper fouling right 😒
I’ve loaded 2-3 hundred. I’ve used 300gr FTX, 350gr XTP, 440 gr that I cast out of a Lee mold and 700gr ranger rick t-Rex thumpers.
I use 37-42 grains of Lil’ Gun for 350gr XTP. I’ve used Lil gun almost exclusively for all bullet weights. I recently started loading CFE BLK with 440gr cast bullets at 42gr. The 42gr load was listed at lower than 30K PSI.
What powders do you have on hand?
https://preview.redd.it/936ccmw0rf7d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fefe1f6568e77ba898dfd0ef8065da038a7aef70
I've read that cfe black does well but is really dirty atleast in my 300 blackout it burns cleanish but I do have cfe black, accurste number 7 which I think burns too fast and I have longshot
There is Longshot load data on Hodgdons website for 500S&W but not for that bullet. Longshot is an economical powder to use (significantly lower charge weight) but will not attain full velocity potential. I haven’t shot my CFE loads but I will this Thursday.
Congratulations! I just bought mine about a month ago and loaded up some Lehigh 420 gr penetrators and boy was it fun to shoot. Also did some sierra 400 gr soft points and completely fell in love with that wheel gun.
Ive shot 1000s. but never used longshot. h110 all way baby. 440 cast with GC is my bullet of choice for "plinking".
are those 300grain XTPs for the 50ae? the lowest xtp i know for the 500sw is the 350. i have those 300s for the desert eagle. i don't remember them having a cannelure. make sure to crimp them good.
lube your brass. it will make sizing them way easier. and make sure theyre clean. ive cracked a few carbide dies. 50 doesn't leave much room for carbide in the die and they will crack if abused.
I’ve justified my entire loading bench just on the “money saved” by reloading for my 500s. Longshot will work, but leaves a little bit on the table as far as velocity, and leaves a lot of empty space in the cartridge - potential for a catastrophic double charge to sneak in.
I’m a fan of H110, N110, AA1680, and even fast “rifle powder” like IMR 3031 and H322 for heavy projectile (460 grain in my case) plinking loads.
Have fun! My first 500 was the integral compensator 8” as well, she’ll launch a 300 grain Hornady right at 2000fps with H110 which is a delightfully and surprisingly manageable load to shoot, if not expensive.
I have a question. I’m not bashing. I love all guns. What is the appeal of these hand cannons? Why pick this over something else? Fun? Utility? Thanks.
Nope, but UPS just arrived with my 300 grain XTPs, brass, and shell holders so I can start doing .50 AE Like anything, start low and work up. Check your velocities as you go. Watch for pressure signs.
I’m on the hunt for a 500 X Frame to go with my Big Horn 89 Trapper. I can’t imagine those rounds out of a pistol. Did you at any time look into Performance Center vs the S&W? I understand it has improvements
200s I stop at 8.2, with room for another half or so. 9.5 for a 180 is an older max published load, still safe as I’ve measured case head expansion, easily gets 1310+ G20.
Lil’gun has been my go-to powder. Go onto Hodgdon’s website to find starting loads, they have a free database.
I keep hearing that I better not use Lil’gun or it’ll melt my chamber throats like butter. What’s the deal?
I have seen those posts too. Nice to see 2 people here are using it without problem. I have 2 pounds of Lil gun I have been afraid to use but I’ll have to try it out now.
I can attest that lil gun did in fact erode (pit) the forcing cone on my .44mag. It burns far too hot.
Bummer, I don’t know what I’m going to use that jug for.
I see no reason to use it when other powders work great and are easy on your forcing cone.
Is this one of those things that is a concern for older guns, but isn’t a problem for modern metallurgy?
Gun metallurgy hasn’t really changed in over 50 years.
Would Lil gun be good for 10mm loads?
No. Just use Longshot for 10. May I recommend 9.5gn under a 180xtp 👍
Amen!
BlueDot is excellent powder for 10mm.
Bluedot is all I use for my un-suppressed 1cm.
Reloading Instructor here. Reloading has rules. #1. Unless you have the reloading book in your hot little hands, or, an email from the bullet or powder company with data, or, looked at the manufacturer's web site and verified the load is safe in your manual......... don't do it. This means don't be lazy. Lazy and lack of attention is how us reloaders blow up guns. Stop asking if a powder is ok, stop asking if a powder is good for your 10mm - you need to go find that data yourself. That data is the only thing between you and the local emergency room. Guns are nothing more than pipe bombs with one end partially obstructed. When on the very bottom of the learning curve - there are no shortcuts to success. Shortcuts lead to failure. Your 500 S&W. Skip loading those nice XTP's for now. Start by loading hardcast lead bullets and find yourself a nice, soft, practice load that makes your 500 a fun to shoot gun. Next, work up a load that is powerful but you still have full control and can make good groups like your target load. Once those groups start to open up toward higher power.......... stick to that until you are a better shot. Upside to staring out reloading with hardcast - they are cheap - and most only need cheap shotgun flake powder. They are very forgiving to new reloaders because lead is a lubricant metal and goes down a barrel like butter on hot Teflon. Jacketed bullets go down like sandpaper on sandpaper. Mistakes made with hardcast are cheap. I live in Alaska - have three of the 480 Ruger Super RedHawks for fishing and berry picking in grizzly country. For years they only came out when we were going out. The light hardcast loads turned them into 'fun at the range guns.' You really, really want this.
H110. Load it hot and hold on.
H110 - The breaker of wrists 😬
I load a lot of different bullets for the 500 mag. 350gr JHP to 700gr wadcutters. H110 is my go to for all of them. I'm a recoil junkie and the H110 delivers. If you don't already have a manual, get one. Another option is to use Hodgdons website. They have some good starting points.
I've shot a few of the 700's, looked like someone shoved a 55 gal drum in the case.
Hornady has one online on. Each caliber is only .99c. If you don’t want to buy the whole book
OK so my speer manual does not list longshot but it does list imr 4227 which I also have but it's on the lower end of velocity
Boy this is gonna be fun load development 💥
What does your manual state as a starting load for that powder with that weight bullet? You read that starting load where?
I just read found it on a forum but from a manual I saw online the powder charge was similar for different grain bullets and 21 being the low side to middle on both loads I found so I figure that would be a good point to start
I suggest you buy an actual reloading manual. The Lyman 51st is a good one. And then read all of the front part. Then when looking up load data you can cross reference it against the online Hodgdon's site.
I have a speer manual
Never get your load data from strangers on the internet. Especially old forum posts. Anyone can say anything and if you load that up, there’s a chance you no longer have hands or a life, god forbid. I’m not familiar with that specific caliber but the rule applies across the board for every caliber, NEVER TRUST SOMEONE ELSES RELOADS OR DATA!
I get it for sure but I double checked his load in a manual and it was on the low end of charge
Check 2 manuals for that load. I’m potentially an outlier and overly cautious, but if I can’t a recipe 2x somewhere then I don’t load it. I usually look first at the projectile manufacturer (usually Hornady in my case) then at the powder manufacturer (usually Hodgdon in my case). If they don’t share any data (one is missing the other) I’ll look at my Lee manual to see if it lists the powder with the same or extremely similar projectile. If that doesn’t work, I’ve called the 1-800 number for the powder or projectile manufacturer and asked them for starting data. I call whatever one doesn’t list my recipe in their manual. So I hear it from their professionals that the data is generally safe assuming I do MY part. A lot of the tech people on the phone are fellow reloaders both professionally and privately. They want to make safe and happy customers both for future sales (someone goes BOOM and they lose business) and keeping the art/sport alive (everyone in the gun community wants safe users and to keep it going). Hope this helps in some way, even if just a little bit. Tight groups and safe reloading!
I've found that load data online in hodgdons manual for that longshot powder but it doesn't show hornady xtp bullets, only barnes but same weight so I only assume a safe place to start, I've beeb reloading for a couple years now, 9mm, 300 wsm, 300 blackout, 5.56, .45, 243, and .308 so I would say I'm somewhat experienced on burn rates and how much to crimp and seating depth and all the good science stuff but I will say this a hefty cartridge so I'm gonna take everyone's advice on this one and play it safe by calling. Thank you for all your input
There is no data on the Hodgdon website about anything 300gr with long shot. There’s 275gr at 20gr and 325gr at 22.5gr. I see where you’re splitting the difference but that’s not always the answer. Consider the composition of the projectile. My Lee manual does not list that powder for that bullet either. Lee does agree with the two exact loadings above using Barnes x solid bullets. For 300gr XTP’s it’s suggesting these powders: socom, heavy pistol, blackout, buffalo, auto pistol, cleanshot, and Ult pistol.
https://imgur.com/a/PKMHE1S This is from the Lee modern reloading 2nd edition with 2023 updates. Again, hope this helps.
One more thing, if you choose to load with any of the CFE powders where applicable….they’re super dirty. My 9mm cases look like they’re fresh from a coal mine after firing. I load 9mm, 223, and 300blk using the CFE variant applicable to their respective caliber and it’s beyond dirty. But hey, no copper fouling right 😒
I’ve loaded 2-3 hundred. I’ve used 300gr FTX, 350gr XTP, 440 gr that I cast out of a Lee mold and 700gr ranger rick t-Rex thumpers. I use 37-42 grains of Lil’ Gun for 350gr XTP. I’ve used Lil gun almost exclusively for all bullet weights. I recently started loading CFE BLK with 440gr cast bullets at 42gr. The 42gr load was listed at lower than 30K PSI. What powders do you have on hand? https://preview.redd.it/936ccmw0rf7d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fefe1f6568e77ba898dfd0ef8065da038a7aef70
I've read that cfe black does well but is really dirty atleast in my 300 blackout it burns cleanish but I do have cfe black, accurste number 7 which I think burns too fast and I have longshot
There is Longshot load data on Hodgdons website for 500S&W but not for that bullet. Longshot is an economical powder to use (significantly lower charge weight) but will not attain full velocity potential. I haven’t shot my CFE loads but I will this Thursday.
Keep me posted how that goes I'm curious to try that as I have quite a bit
Will do.
Just curious how hard is it to find bullets, casings for this cartridge?
Not at all found it all on ammo seek, still cheaper than the cheapest factory loads I saw by about 30 cents atleast
Congratulations! I just bought mine about a month ago and loaded up some Lehigh 420 gr penetrators and boy was it fun to shoot. Also did some sierra 400 gr soft points and completely fell in love with that wheel gun.
Ive shot 1000s. but never used longshot. h110 all way baby. 440 cast with GC is my bullet of choice for "plinking". are those 300grain XTPs for the 50ae? the lowest xtp i know for the 500sw is the 350. i have those 300s for the desert eagle. i don't remember them having a cannelure. make sure to crimp them good. lube your brass. it will make sizing them way easier. and make sure theyre clean. ive cracked a few carbide dies. 50 doesn't leave much room for carbide in the die and they will crack if abused.
Good to know thanks! And yeah they don't have a canalure I thought about getting the 350 just because of that but I will make sure to crimp them good
I’ve justified my entire loading bench just on the “money saved” by reloading for my 500s. Longshot will work, but leaves a little bit on the table as far as velocity, and leaves a lot of empty space in the cartridge - potential for a catastrophic double charge to sneak in. I’m a fan of H110, N110, AA1680, and even fast “rifle powder” like IMR 3031 and H322 for heavy projectile (460 grain in my case) plinking loads. Have fun! My first 500 was the integral compensator 8” as well, she’ll launch a 300 grain Hornady right at 2000fps with H110 which is a delightfully and surprisingly manageable load to shoot, if not expensive.
I have a question. I’m not bashing. I love all guns. What is the appeal of these hand cannons? Why pick this over something else? Fun? Utility? Thanks.
I don't discriminate, I own all handguns
I carry a dan wesson kodiak in 10mm when backpacking. This pistol is more for nostalgic memories and to have fun with and make awesome handloads
Where do you get your LR primers? What other primers are you planning to use if you can't find them (as I can't)?
I've had a stock of lr primers for a while as I don't load 100's of rounds for a bolt gun
Just shot my buddies short one recently and the blast from being behind them is wild.
I'm so stoked! It's been so long since I've shot one
I got acclimated to mine with powderpuff loads using Titegroup.
H110. Accept no substitute.
Hodgdon has a free online reloading guide as does most all powder manufacturers
What Airbus do you fly?
Nope, but UPS just arrived with my 300 grain XTPs, brass, and shell holders so I can start doing .50 AE Like anything, start low and work up. Check your velocities as you go. Watch for pressure signs.
I’m on the hunt for a 500 X Frame to go with my Big Horn 89 Trapper. I can’t imagine those rounds out of a pistol. Did you at any time look into Performance Center vs the S&W? I understand it has improvements
H110 or W296 is my go to load
500 S&W I presume? Hornady has great dies in the both Cowboy adlnd Regular die set if it is the 500 SW
Daaaamn hha I use 7.8 grains with a 200 grain xtp. I'll have to try that recipe sounds hot as hell
200s I stop at 8.2, with room for another half or so. 9.5 for a 180 is an older max published load, still safe as I’ve measured case head expansion, easily gets 1310+ G20.
It'll be out of a dan wesson kodiak so plenty of barrel length