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
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .500 S&W Special. Parent case: .500 S&W Magnum (shortened).
Performance
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
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
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 →