500 oh my

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I agree with virtually everything Redhawk has said, although I can't say I shoot as well as he does.

I bought my 4th X-Frame last week - I now have 4" and 8-3/8" .500s, and 5" and 8-3/8" .460s. My best group was a 1" pentagon at 100 yards, form a rest, with a 4X scope on my 8-3/8" .460. With moderate to heavy loads in any of the x-frames, I can hit clay pigeons on the berm at 40 yards at will.

I will say that so far, I have absolutely no practical need for any of these revolvers, other than the fact that I love to shoot them and love to load for them.

To me, the recoil is a big part of the challenge/fun of shooting them. It's one thing to stand there and hit a target with lightly loaded .38 wadcutters. However, to do the same thing with a round that "hits back" makes it all the more challenging and rewarding.

I've never ever had a sore wrist from recoil. With these revolvers, technique is everything. I sort of "push" with my strong hand and "pull" with my weak hand. I take a high grip and try to keep my wrists as stiff and straight as possible, then let my elbows and shoulders bend to absorb the recoil. My son shoots the same way and he was able to accurately shoot full power .500 rounds as an average-sized 12-year old.

In my opinion, the 5" .460 has the best balance of all of my X-Frames. It also happens to be the one I shoot the best. The .460 is a tremendously versatile round too. Using only three powders (Trailboss, Titegroup, and Lil' Gun) I can load bullets from 160 to 400 grains, at velocities from under 1000 fps to well over 2000 fps.

Rather than scrub the chambers clean, I've stopped shooting the three shorter cartridges that can be used in the .460. If I want a lighter load, I'll use Trailboss or Titegroup.
 
mc_coy,
I have to second what EddieCoyle posted about the 5 inch S&W 460 Mag. It is a well balanced handgun and in my opinion is not as brutal in recoil as the 500 Mag is. I find the 460 Mag has more flash and less recoil than the 500 Mag. But you stated in your country, the 500 has been outlawed, so that 460 would have to be your choice.

Where are you located at? Also past shooting gloves help your palm as well as support your wrists. I also use weight lifting gloves with the wrist supports, when I shoot them heavy 575 gr. bullets in my 500 Mag.
 
My problem is also the palms of the hands and not the wrists at all. Does the past shooting gloves really help? Could you give me a percentage of pain reduction or impact if possible?

Also anyone know where to find a good set?
 
Big Boomer said:
My problem is also the palms of the hands and not the wrists at all
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This is exactly what a shooting glove fixes. I got some with a padded palm and cut off fingers. Like these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=568113&t=11082005

I bought these after I had to cut a session short when my palm split open (the blood was making the grip too slippery to hold). These gloves allow me to shoot until I run out of ammo.

I tried weightlifting gloves but found that the padding in them made it difficult to grip the gun high the way I like to. There was too much padding in the wrong places.
 
Hey redhawk,
I live in Italy, where import and marketing of weapons is regulated by a state agency abiding by strange rules.

For example, the S&W 460XRV is only available in the PC version with a 12" barrel, specifically thought for hunting.
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Funny thing is that, hunting with handguns is forbidden in Italy!!

the most authoritative Italian weapons magazine recently published an article on a test on the 460. On picture included is particularly interesting, confirming your statement about the flash:
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Great idea to use gloves and straps. The interface (skin) must be protected.

Right now I'm seriously starting to shoot revolvers. I'm practically a beginner, starting with the wimpy .38 specials, which is also a necessity since I'm shooting about 200 rounds per time (once a week) and my wrists need a progressive workout. My intention is to buy a second gun in 44 mag and eventually a 3rd one, the .460.
Middle age tought me to cultivate the virtue of patience.

Bigboomer watch out, I'm not a physician but experience warns if something is inflammed (nerves, tendons, muscles), you gotta take it easy, very easy. If the inflammation gets chronical, your'e finished.

What I did, since apparently I've a bad wrist (I'm right handed) is to shoot 50% right handed, 50% left-handed. To my surprise, I found I shoot better with my 'weak' hand.
I'd suggest you to shoot with your 'other' hand while the injured palm heals adequately. You may find it awkward at the beginning, it's not as writing though and the brain is pretty quick to adapt.
 
I'd suggest you to shoot with your 'other' hand while the injured palm heals adequately. You may find it awkward at the beginning, it's not as writing though and the brain is pretty quick to adapt.
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That's partly the problem! They are BOTH injured, the right one more than the left but still quite badly. After two months of healing they are almost fully healed now but I have not shot anything since.

It seems I have a myriad of things to try. I hope to shoot mine more often and I'll do all the changes I can find so it doesn't just turn into a safe queen.
 
That's partly the problem! They are BOTH injured, the right one more than the left but still quite badly. After two months of healing they are almost fully healed now but I have not shot anything since.

It seems I have a myriad of things to try. I hope to shoot mine more often and I'll do all the changes I can find so it doesn't just turn into a safe queen.
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In such case, as always, common sense should be king.

I know I'm saying obvious things, but after full healing you should start back progressively, shooting only a few rounds and wearing the protecting gloves indicated by RH and EC. You might even experiment wearing both the shooting and the bodybuilding gloves. just shoot a little, then wait a few days if the situation settles.

If nothwistanding all precautions your hands keep being sensitive, then there'll be no other choice than the sad one of selling your hand cannon, or keeping it as a collection piece and step down in power. Use of hands is just too precious in real life ...
 
Big Boomer, I would say quit shooting until your hands heal. When and if you start shooting that big bore again and have problem, I would say the same thing as mc coy, you may have to go to a less of a recoiling gun.
 
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