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Does anyone own a S&W 500? If so, what in the US, besides brown bear and alligators, can you hunt w/ it without destroying your trophy? I'd love to be able to justify getting one one day but for that much money I have to be able to do more w/ it than just punch paper.
Thanks,
Brandon
That's the problem, as I see it. You can't just go shoot it for fun, because 2 or 3 rounds is about all the fun you can stand. :mrgreen:Quote:
Originally Posted by TXWheeledShooter
For me, if I'm hunting something worthy of a .50 caliber handgun, I'm going to carry a rifled slug gun, instead. I love .44 magnums, and you can shoot .44 specials in them for plinking fun, so they make sense to me, as a handgun capable of hunting medium sized game.
But I'm just not enough of a man to be able to enjoy a steady diet of .500 magnum. :oops:
Bisley,
I've only ever shot a .50 cal rifle, not a pistol yet. Is it a real wrist-breaker? I was hoping the porting helped out a little but w/ a .50 you need more than a little help w/ recoil. I plan on getting a .44 mag hunter revolver for deer but do you think, even in it's largest bullet size, it could take out anything bigger? Also, are hollow points helpful or detrimental in hunting?
Thanks,
Brandon
I have shot a deer with one and isn't as devastating on meat as most would believe. In fact it makes about the same amount of energy as a 308 Winchester. I believe the bullet design mitigates the fact that the round does put a deer down like right now but its about 700-1000 ft/lbs of energy shy of the 300 Magnums out there. Still amazing performance out of a handgun but making it perfect for Handgun hunting of any game on the planet, LOL. Not fun to shoot for recreation though unless you shoot downloaded ammunition known as 500 S & W Special which CorBon sells and maybe a few others. If you reload you will have fun with this cartridge as there are many possbilities. I will agree that if you can't do it with a 44 Magnum just shoot a rifle, but there are some things we have to do just for the fun of it! If you want cheap fun and still want to hunt Bear and alligators and everything else the 44 Mag will do it and the 454 Casull will get it there slightly quicker and flatter but the 44 Mag will get the job done while being cheaper to reload for. If you only want to shoot deer sized game and down, don't discount the reputable 357 Mag out of a longer barrel with 180 grain Bullets.
I haven't fired a .500, nor have I hunted with a pistol, so assume that my advice is worth exactly what you are paying for it. :mrgreen:Quote:
Originally Posted by TXWheeledShooter
I have shot a lightweight .44 magnum, and it was too much for me, even though I do like .44 magnum in a full sized Ruger or S&W. It is an accurate round at 50 yards, and not too shabby at hundred, if the shooter is up to it.
Personally, I would use a self-defense type JHP round on whitetail deer, and either hardcast lead or FMJ on feral hogs or large dangerous game, for its superior penetration qualities. But again, I have never shot either with a handgun, so this is only speculation.