Revolver · SAAMI
.500 S&W Magnum
The most powerful production revolver cartridge ever made.
- Caliber
- 0.5″ · 12.7 mm
- Introduced
- 2003
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Hunting, Big Game, Bear Defense
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 2003
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Smith & Wesson / Cor-Bon
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 76 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 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
Introduced by Smith & Wesson
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .500 S&W Magnum.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 12.70 | 0.500 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 13.46 | 0.530 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 13.46 | 0.530 | ~ |
| Rim ⌀ | 14.22 | 0.560 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.50 | 0.059 | ~ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 41.28 | 1.625 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 58.42 | 2.300 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .500 S&W Magnum is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
7 reloading powders listed for .500 S&W Magnum, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
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, among 7 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .500 S&W Magnum archived
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299.3-2022 — Centerfire Pistol & Revolver Voluntary Performance Standards · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Hornady — 500 S&W Magnum 300 gr FTX (Custom) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Underwood Ammo — 500 S&W Magnum 350gr XTP Jacketed Hollow Point Hunting Ammo · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Buffalo Bore — 500 Smith & Wesson Pistol & Handgun Ammunition (440 gr Hard Cast) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Hornady — 500 S&W Magnum 500gr InterLock Flat Point XTP · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 81 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →