Lindcott Armory Pistol · SAAMI
.500 S&W Special
The shorter, more manageable companion to the .500 S&W Magnum.
- Caliber
- 0.5″ · 12.7 mm
- Introduced
- 2003
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .500 S&W Magnum
- Primary use
- Hunting, Self-Defense
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 2003
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Smith & Wesson / Cor-Bon
- Manufacturer
- Cor-Bon / Hornady / Buffalo Bore
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Specialty
- Case capacity
- 52 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:18.75
- Primer
- Large Pistol Magnum
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 45,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 75 yd
- Max range
- 200 yd
- Recoil
- 20–30 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- By real loads
- 1,150–1,400 fps · 20 loads
- Parent case
- .500 S&W Magnum
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open .500 S&W Special 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.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 12.70 | 0.500 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 13.36 | 0.526 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 13.36 | 0.526 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 14.12 | 0.556 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.42 | 0.056 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 32.36 | 1.274 | ~ |
| Overall length | 44.02 | 1.733 | ✓ |
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 Special is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 20 active loads across 13 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doubletap | DT Defense | 400 | Jacketed Hollow Point | 1,400 | 1,741 | — |
| HSM Ammunition | Self Defense | 400 | Jacketed Hollow Point | 1,400 | 1,741 | — |
| Wolf | FMJ | 400 | Jacketed Hollow Point | 1,400 | 1,741 | — |
| Cor-Bon | DPX | 400 | Jacketed Hollow Point | 1,400 | 1,741 | — |
| Buffalo Bore | Heavy | 400 | Jacketed Hollow Point | 1,400 | 1,741 | — |
| Armscor | Standard | 400 | Jacketed Hollow Point | 1,400 | 1,741 | — |
| Black Hills | Match | 400 | Jacketed Hollow Point | 1,400 | 1,741 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | JHP | 400 | Jacketed Hollow Point | 1,400 | 1,741 | — |
| Federal | Premium | 350 | HP | 1,350 | 1,416 | — |
| Hornady | Custom | 400 | XTP | 1,325 | 1,559 | — |
| DoubleTap | Defense | 400 | JHP | 1,300 | 1,501 | — |
| Winchester | PDX1 | 400 | Bonded JHP | 1,300 | 1,501 | — |
| Speer | Gold Dot | 400 | Gold Dot HP | 1,300 | 1,501 | — |
| Hornady | Custom XTP JHP | 350 | XTP JHP | 1,250 | 1,214 | — |
| Federal | Power-Shok SP | 350 | SP | 1,250 | 1,214 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
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 Special
1 model in the database chamber .500 S&W Special. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Introduced alongside the .500 S&W Magnum in 2003, the Special uses a shorter case that allows it to chamber in revolvers with shorter cylinders. While the Magnum requires S&W's massive X-frame, the Special fits in more compact platforms. Cor-Bon and Hornady developed factory loads. The cartridge has found a following among hunters who want .50-caliber performance in a carry-weight revolver for bear country, and among shooters who find the full Magnum's recoil excessive for practice. All .500 S&W Magnum revolvers can also chamber and fire the Special.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .500 S&W Special use?
- .500 S&W Special typically uses a 1:18.75 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .500 S&W Special?
- .500 S&W Special uses a 0.5″ (12.7 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .500 S&W Special still in production?
- .500 S&W Special is active; typical availability is specialty.
- What is .500 S&W Special used for?
- .500 S&W Special is primarily used for hunting, self-defense.
- What is .500 S&W Special based on?
- .500 S&W Special is derived from the .500 S&W Magnum (shortened) case.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 20 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →