Cartridge

.500 S&W Magnum

0.5" · .500 S&W Mag · centerfire

5 factory loads from 2 manufacturers, on 5 projectiles.

Factory loads

5

Bullet weight

300–500gr

Muzzle velocity

1300–1950 fps

Muzzle energy

1876–2632 ft·lb

Bullet Drop (inches)

One load from each of the 3 most-loaded bullet weights, plotted from the bore line to 400 yards in ICAO sea-level air — measured from the muzzle rather than from a sighted-in rifle, so these curves compare the loads against each other and are not holdover figures. Compare these at your own conditions →

Weights are the ones with the most factory loads; within each, the load visitors compare most often. See every load →

Bullet weights loaded

  • 300gr2
  • 325gr1
  • 500gr2

3 bullet weights across 5 factory loads.

Hornady

Backcountry Defense

.500 S&W Magnum · 500gr · DGH

MV: Not published
Energy: —
Type: Hunting
Details

Hornady

Custom

.500 S&W Magnum · 300gr · FTX

MV: 1,950fps
BC: 0.120 G1
Energy: 2,533ft-lbs
Type: Hunting
Details

Hornady

Custom

.500 S&W Magnum · 500gr · XTP

MV: 1,300fps
BC: 0.185 G1
Energy: 1,876ft-lbs
Type: Hunting
Details

Hornady

Handgun Hunter

.500 S&W Magnum · 300gr · MonoFlex

MV: Not published
Energy: —
Type: Hunting
Details

Swift

A-Frame Heavy Revolver

.500 S&W Magnum · 325gr · A-Frame

MV: 1,910fps
BC: 0.135 G1
Energy: 2,632ft-lbs
Type: Hunting
Details

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