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Revolver · SAAMI

.500 S&W Magnum

.500 S&W

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
Velocity1,200–1,900 fps
Energy1,500–2,900 ft·lb
Typical grains300 · 350 · 400 gr
Identity
Introduced
2003
Type
Revolver
Origin
United States
Inventor
Smith & Wesson / Cor-Bon
Manufacturer
Smith & Wesson
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
76 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:18.75
Primer
Large Rifle
Case type
Rimmed
Pressure & range
Max pressure
60,000 psi
Eff. range
200 yd
Max range
600 yd
Recoil
65–90 ft·lb
Subsonic
Capable

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Federal Premium 325 gr, 1,800 fps, BC 0.195 G1 · 25 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd17992336-0.9″—
25 yd174622000.0″0.0
50 yd16932068+0.2″0.3
75 yd16401941-0.4″-0.5
100 yd15881820-1.8″-1.7
125 yd15361702-4.0″-3.1
150 yd14841589-7.2″-4.6
175 yd14321480-11.4″-6.2
200 yd13811376-16.6″-7.9

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingFederal Premium325 gr · JSP · 1,800 fps · BC 0.195 G1Buy now →
Best for DefenseFederal Federal Premium HST300 gr · HST JHP · 2,075 fpsBuy now →
Best for TargetFederal American Eagle300 gr · JHP · 2,075 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .500 S&W Magnum ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

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
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀12.700.500✓
Neck ⌀13.460.530~
Shoulder ⌀n/a
Shoulder anglen/a
Base ⌀13.460.530~
Rim ⌀14.220.560✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.500.059~
Neck lengthn/a
Case length41.281.625✓
Overall length58.422.300✓

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

In production — 265 active loads across 38 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 265 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
FederalPremium325JSP1,8002,3380.195 G1
DoubleTapDT Hunting300TSX2,1002,937—
FederalAmerican Eagle300JHP2,0752,868—
FederalFederal Premium HST300HST JHP2,0752,868—
FederalFederal Premium Hydra-Shok300Hydra-Shok JHP2,0752,868—
FederalSyntech300TSJ2,0752,868—
WinchesterUSA White Box300JHP2,0752,868—
WinchesterPDX1 Defender300PDX1 Bonded2,0752,868—
UnderwoodXtreme Defender300Lehigh XD2,0752,868—
WinchesterSilvertip300Silvertip HP2,0752,868—
HornadyCritical Defense300FTX JHP2,0752,868—
HornadyCritical Duty300FlexLock JHP2,0752,868—
HornadyAmerican Gunner300XTP JHP2,0752,868—
HornadyHandgun Hunter300XTP-MAG2,0752,868—
RemingtonUMC300FMJ2,0752,868—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

4 reloading powders listed for .500 S&W Magnum, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

LongshotBlue DotN110Lil'Gun
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 →

Big Horn Armory SR90 Semi-Auto 500 S&WTaurus Taurus 500 Raging Hunter .500 S&W 8.375-inchBig Horn Armory Model 89A 500 S&W StainlessTaurus 500 Raging Hunter .500 S&WBig Horn Armory Model 89-BBig Horn Armory Model 89 RifleBig Horn Armory Model 89 Carbine .500 S&W Magnum 18-inchSmith & Wesson Model 500 Bone CollectorBig Horn Armory Model 89 .500 S&W Magnum 18-inchSmith & Wesson Model 500 Bone Collector .500 S&W Mag 6.5-inchS&W Model 500 .500 S&W Mag 6.5-inch PC UnflutedS&W Model 500 .500 S&W Mag 8.375-inch Hi-Viz

Lineage

Immediate parent
Root — no documented parent
Direct descendants (1)
.500 S&W Special
Family TreeOpen .500 S&W Magnum in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads265 factory loads for .500 S&W Magnum↗Reloading4 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .500 S&W Magnum↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

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.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 265 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →