John Linebaugh's original big-bore revolver wildcat — a .510-caliber cartridge designed for hunting the largest North American game from a single-action revolver. The cartridge that launched the modern big-bore revolver hunting movement.
Type: Pistol
Introduced: 1986, United States
Parent case: .348 Winchester (cut down)
Standardization: None
Bullet diameter: 0.51" (12.95 mm)
Case length: 1.4" (35.56 mm)
Overall length: 1.76" (44.7 mm)
Max pressure: 50,000 PSI
Rim type: Rimmed
Primer: Large Pistol
Typical twist rate: 1:24
Muzzle velocity: 1200–1400 fps
Muzzle energy: 1185–2279 ft-lbs
Effective range: 100 yd
Common bullet weights: 370, 400, 440, 525 gr
Primary use: Hunting
Production status: Limited
Also known as: 500 Linebaugh · .500 LB
History: John Linebaugh, a Wyoming gunsmith and hunter, developed the .500 Linebaugh in the mid-1980s by cutting down .348 Winchester brass and chambering Ruger Blackhawk single-actions. His goal was a revolver cartridge capable of cleanly taking any North American game animal — including brown bear and bison — with a single well-placed shot. The cartridge achieved that goal decisively. Linebaugh…
Notable firearms: Linebaugh Custom Revolvers (Ruger Blackhawk-based), Bowen Classic Arms conversions, Freedom Arms Model 83
Similar cartridges: .475 Linebaugh, .454 Casull, .500 S&W Magnum