Lindcott Armory Revolver · SAAMI
.500 S&W Magnum
The most powerful production revolver cartridge ever made.
- Introduced
- 2003
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Smith & Wesson / Cor-Bon
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Bullet ⌀
- 0.5″
- Case length
- 1.625″
- Overall length
- 2.3″
- Base ⌀
- 0.53″
- Rim ⌀
- 0.56″
- Case capacity
- 76 gr H₂O
- Twist
- 1:18.75
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 60,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 600 yd
- Recoil
- 65–90 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Velocity
- 1,200–1,900 fps
- Energy
- 1,500–2,900 ft·lb
- By real loads
- 1,575–2,075 fps · 267 loads
- Typical MSRP
- $0.85/rd · price history →
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input, not a measured load. Real published loads span the "by real loads" range above.
Factory loads
In production — 267 active loads across 38 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 267 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC | $/rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | Premium | 325 | JSP | 1,800 | 2,338 | 0.195 | $3.00 |
| DoubleTap | DT Hunting | 300 | TSX | 2,100 | 2,937 | — | $0.85 |
| Federal | American Eagle | 300 | JHP | 2,075 | 2,868 | — | — |
| Federal | Federal Premium HST | 300 | HST JHP | 2,075 | 2,868 | — | — |
| Federal | Federal Premium Hydra-Shok | 300 | Hydra-Shok JHP | 2,075 | 2,868 | — | — |
| Federal | Syntech | 300 | TSJ | 2,075 | 2,868 | — | — |
| Winchester | USA White Box | 300 | JHP | 2,075 | 2,868 | — | — |
| Winchester | PDX1 Defender | 300 | PDX1 Bonded | 2,075 | 2,868 | — | — |
| Underwood | Xtreme Defender | 300 | Lehigh XD | 2,075 | 2,868 | — | — |
| Winchester | Silvertip | 300 | Silvertip HP | 2,075 | 2,868 | — | — |
| Hornady | Critical Defense | 300 | FTX JHP | 2,075 | 2,868 | — | — |
| Hornady | Critical Duty | 300 | FlexLock JHP | 2,075 | 2,868 | — | — |
| Hornady | American Gunner | 300 | XTP JHP | 2,075 | 2,868 | — | — |
| Hornady | Handgun Hunter | 300 | XTP-MAG | 2,075 | 2,868 | — | — |
| Remington | UMC | 300 | FMJ | 2,075 | 2,868 | — | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Dimensions
Suitable powders
4 reloading powders listed for .500 S&W Magnum, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading cost
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .500 S&W Magnum
12 models in the database chamber .500 S&W Magnum. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Introduced by S&W in 2003 alongside the .460, in the same X-frame revolver. Designed to surpass all previous revolver cartridges in raw power. Marketed for hunting all North American big game including dangerous bears.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .500 S&W Magnum use?
- .500 S&W Magnum typically uses a 1:18.75 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .500 S&W Magnum?
- .500 S&W Magnum uses a 0.5″ (12.7 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .500 S&W Magnum still in production?
- .500 S&W Magnum is active; typical availability is common.
- What is .500 S&W Magnum used for?
- .500 S&W Magnum is primarily used for hunting, big game, bear defense.
- What are the best powders for .500 S&W Magnum?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .500 S&W Magnum include Longshot, Blue Dot, N110, Lil'Gun.
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 267 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. Spotted an error? Report it →