OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

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WCF3030
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OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by WCF3030 »

This all started a couple years ago when John Taffin wrote an article about it.
Shortly after H&R was moving to a new plant (sound familiar?) and stopped production of that rifle for awhile. The ones I could find where way to expensive, so I waited.

Two weeks ago my FFL dealer called me for a pick-up of my new rifle.

I had already ordered all the components, mold and a variety pack of 50 cal cast from Matt’s Bullets. I can only speak for the 50 cal but Matt makes a superior product at an inexpensive price.
http://www.mattsbullets.com/

I shot a few of his wide met plated gas checked 460gr over 9gr of unique. Which made a nice pleasant experience for both myself and daughter and still punched through a 12in oak stump.

Next I cast 20 rounds from the 440gr Lee mould. Loaded up 10 with the same 9gr of unique and after adjusting the sights shot 4 rounds into a 3/4 inch group center to center at 30yds. With that same load I shot through six milk jugs of water nearly straight and it still buried itself at least 8in into the wood and dirt berm.

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Much more to come!!! Lots of fun, this rifle is.
That which does not kill me has made a grave tactical error.

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harry
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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by harry »

I checked Matt’s Bullets and they were out of stock on the 3 500 bullets and all of the 458 bullets I looked at.
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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by 2ndovc »

harry wrote:I checked Matt’s Bullets and they were out of stock on the 3 500 bullets and all of the 458 bullets I looked at.
Harry
Read his home page. Sounds like it's more "made to order". I ordered a couple to try out.

I keep thinking I'd like one of those .500 S&W Handi Rifles. Sound like fun :D

jb 8)
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harry
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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by harry »

2ndovc wrote:
harry wrote:I checked Matt’s Bullets and they were out of stock on the 3 500 bullets and all of the 458 bullets I looked at.
Harry
Read his home page. Sounds like it's more "made to order". I ordered a couple to try out.

I keep thinking I'd like one of those .500 S&W Handi Rifles. Sound like fun :D

jb 8)
Ok I went back and read his home page, thanks for the heads up. 200 .501 bullets, shipping weight = 16.50 pounds
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AJMD429
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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by AJMD429 »

Anyone who wants one, keep your eyes out for 'used' ones.

I lucked out and found one someone probably only shot once, from the looks of it - broken front sight, scope-mount with 'slide' marks on it, etc...

I'm thinking someone got a bad case of 'scope-eye', dropped the gun, and took it back to the store. I think I gave $125 for it. I put a WGRS on it, and a new front fiber-optic sight, and got me a cheap 'thumper'... 8)

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... =1&t=15646
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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by O.S.O.K. »

Try those 440 grain Lee's at around 1850 fps - talk about fun! :P

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Loaded round next to a couple of 440 grian Lees next to a 310gr 44 cal Lee and 200gr 35 cal RCBS.
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WCF3030
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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by WCF3030 »

AJMD429 wrote:Anyone who wants one, keep your eyes out for 'used' ones.

I lucked out and found one someone probably only shot once, from the looks of it - broken front sight, scope-mount with 'slide' marks on it, etc...

I'm thinking someone got a bad case of 'scope-eye', dropped the gun, and took it back to the store. I think I gave $125 for it. I put a WGRS on it, and a new front fiber-optic sight, and got me a cheap 'thumper'... 8)

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... =1&t=15646
I looked for awhile but did not find one new or used at the "gun shop".
I did pick up an almost new H&R in 30-30 for $150 a couple of years ago and have put at least 1,500 rounds of cast through it.

Do you handload for it?
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WCF3030
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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by WCF3030 »

O.S.O.K. wrote:Try those 440 grain Lee's at around 1850 fps - talk about fun!
I'll work up too thoses.
I bought some 575gr and 700gr from Matt's, that I play around with. :twisted:

For right now I'd like to run the Lee's around 12-1300fps for deer season.
Any suggestions?
That which does not kill me has made a grave tactical error.

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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by AJMD429 »

WCF3030 wrote:Do you handload for it?
Haven't yet, but I think http://AmmoGuide.com/ has a fair number (over 100) of loads for it listed, from 254 grains to 700 grains :twisted: A little over half of the loads are pulled from the manufacturers' own data, so it gives you some reference framework to view the other members' own loads.

They show ten different loads for 440 grain (Cast Performance) bullets, ranging from 1191 fps to 1654 fps from a 10" barrel, using a five different Hodgdon powders. They also show a 1200 fps load from an 8.5" barrel for the 700 grain cast bullets. :shock:

As an AmmoGuide subscribing member, I can't "divulge" their load data :( , but I can say that it is one of the first places I look when developing a load. :D Their sorting and "powder application" features are pretty cool, as well as the "cartridge comparison" features. Here's some screen-shots - it's well worth the $18.95 annual membership fee...!
AmmoGuide1.jpg
AmmoGuide2.jpg
AmmoGuide3.jpg
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Last edited by AJMD429 on Wed Aug 17, 2011 3:53 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by Rusty »

Be very very careful with those Handi Rifles they are extremely addicting. Whatever you do don't go to the Handi Rifle section on the Graybeard's outdoor forums. Before you know it you'll be buying Handi Rifles just because they're priced so right.
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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by Stan in SC »

I have owned and shot a fair amount of Handi rifles in various calibers over the last ten years.At present I only own one.It is a "Trapper" model in 45/70.What a fun gun to shoot.
I'll bet the 500 S&W is a bit of fun also.

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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by madman4570 »

Congrats!
There is just something cool about a sleek super easy packing single that has so very few moving parts.
Bang for the buck they are hard to beat.
And also to start someone into hunting/shooting what better gun to learn the craft.
Honestly, would love a 500S&W( I only have the synthetic 45-70)
But that will be the daughters gun for woods deer hunting this year.(her 1st year)
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rock-steady
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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by rock-steady »

Try the Hornady LEVERlution flex tip 300gr bullets. I get 2" groups at 100yds with my Handi 500SW.
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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by O.S.O.K. »

WCF3030 wrote:
O.S.O.K. wrote:Try those 440 grain Lee's at around 1850 fps - talk about fun!
I'll work up too thoses.
I bought some 575gr and 700gr from Matt's, that I play around with. :twisted:

For right now I'd like to run the Lee's around 12-1300fps for deer season.
Any suggestions?
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/defau ... er&Source=

Keep in mind those are from the revolvers so you need to add about 20% to the velocity for your Handi.

My loads were fueled with H110 but you do not want to download that much at all.

I seem to remember some loads with Trail Boss that gave around 1300 fps or so... might be the best route...

And you could go with black powder! I've thought of doing that just for fun. :D
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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by AJMD429 »

O.S.O.K. wrote:And you could go with black powder! I've thought of doing that just for fun. :D
How about SABOTS...just like the .50 cal muzzleloaders use?

You then would have the ability to use just about ANY .45, .44, .40, or .357 pistol bullet (or rock :o ) that's laying around. In a pinch, you could even 'nest' sabots, or fill-in the cavity with hot-glue or something, and use .30 or .22 caliber projectiles.

Seems like a good 'survival' gun to me... 8)
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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by WCF3030 »

Thanks for the advice.
I was looking around for something using 2400. Seems like a good powder for the 500, given the loads I've seen. but no data yet with that powder.
1,300 fps just seems like a nice round number for most of my hunting and it won't wreck my shoulder.

I've also looked at the jacketed rounds, and may buy a box or two.
I just might have to break down and buy another kind of powder.
That which does not kill me has made a grave tactical error.

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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by Nath »

Ever likely the cost of lead is rising :roll: :wink: :lol:

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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by O.S.O.K. »

Here's an article from John Taffin: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... n16866654/
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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by WCF3030 »

Nath wrote:Ever likely the cost of lead is rising :roll: :wink: :lol:

N.
Its a good thing I collected 500+ pounds of WW before the "crash". 8)
That which does not kill me has made a grave tactical error.

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Re: OT-ish Finally got the H&R 500 S&W

Post by WCF3030 »

O.S.O.K. wrote:Here's an article from John Taffin: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... n16866654/
Yep thats the one!!
That which does not kill me has made a grave tactical error.

http://thewoodsman1.blogspot.com/
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