500 S&W Bullets For Deer

[clancy12]

I am planning on using my new 500 S&W for deer hunting this year and would appreciate some input on what bullets would be best for whitetail deer. I wouldn't be using it for any shots that are longer than 25 yards so long distance performance isn't an issue.

 

[mr.trooper]

Deer aren't that big. No need for those heavy pills.

 

[kludge]

In a .500 it matters not. I'd go with the 350's if distance will be typical handgun distances (75 yards or less). No way would I go higher than 500gr for whitetail.

 

[pikid89]

light and fast is the ticket for whitetail...they aint tanks

 

[Hunt480]

I'm gonna be using the 400gr Crusher for Missouri Bullet Co this season, they are very accurate and the priced is good for 500 S&W. For deer with iron sights from 50 yards in this is perfect. I reload all mine so they shoot about like my 44 but it blows a much bigger hole.

 

[clancy12]

So, within the light bullet category, would you recomend a hollow point/expanding tip or a non-expanding bullet such as a 400gr Barnes bullet? Thanks.

 

[SimplyChad]

I say pack it as heavy as possible just once. Not for any practical reasons other then just to see how hard it actually hits.

 

[Craigman]

I'm going with the 300gn FTX loaded with Lil'Gun in a Handi-Rifle. I shot it yesterday and was getting 2200fps and good grouping. I have one of those AR500 hardened steel plates (group buy from this forum) hanging from a steel frame and 5/16 chain.....you should see the SMACK that 500S&W puts on that thing at 100 yards!!!!!!! Cant wait to shoot a deer with it!

IMO, the hard cast will kill and are proven to penetrate the best, But at 25yds....I believe anything shot out of a 500S&W will go all the way through a deer.

A hollow pt or some sort of expanding bullet will release its energy into the animal and should put it down better. A cast will core a hole and carry its energy further. Both will work, but are different performers.

 

[joeq]

I'm surprised someone actually voted for the really heavy cast bullets. I thought the op asked about deer not grizzlies. I think really heavy cast might be a tad overkill.

 

[Craigman]

I think really heavy cast might be a tad overkill.

Maybe overkill in penetration, but the deer would probably have a chance at running alot farther after being shot with the hardcast.

Energy transfer is DRT. Cored holes leak blood for a good trail. I dont like tracking

 

[22-rimfire]

A blank at close range might knock a deer off its feet.

Just about any bullet will do in my opinion from the 500 S&W. I used the 325 gr Horandy XTP's with my 480 Ruger for deer.

 

[Hunt480]

Hard cast works good on anything. A good clean hole from a 500SW with any size bullet will do nicely. I like the 400gr Missouri Bullet simply because they are not that expensive and very accurate over Unique powder. This is a pussy cat load for a 500 but it will hammer a deer. I shot a few deer last season with a 480 Ruger with some 420gr cast bullets. These were very mild loads that shoot really easy and accurate but they blow large holes all the way through with minimal meat damage. I'm convinced heavy cast bullets are the way to go if you are hand gunnin especially if you reload.

 

[NOLAEMT]

Do you really think there is any projectile for a 500 that will not kill a deer at 25 yards? Plenty of deer are killed every year with the lowly 22lr.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Barnes Triple Shock Solid Copper X Bullet

I have worked up loads using Barnes Triple Shock X-Bullets for pistol (XPB) in all the various grains that Barnes has to offer and have settled on the 275 grain bullet!

These are solid copper and each have six petals that peel back as razor-sharp 'cutters' that about double the diameter of the bullet as they peel backward.

If you notice those peeled-back petals, one can see that they are very thin at the front and get thicker as they go back which helps them each to stay attached to the main base. There is even a ridge along the midsection of each pedal to add strength to each petal!

With the high velocity of these bullets after peeling back, there is guaranteed major disruption of bone, arteries, ligaments, veins, nerve bundles, etc. These bullets are fairly expensive compared to others, however there is no jacket to separate from a core -- they naturally want to stay together!

 

[kludge]

So, within the light bullet category, would you recomend a hollow point/expanding tip or a non-expanding bullet such as a 400gr Barnes bullet? Thanks.

You might check your state game laws "full metal jacket" bullets are not allowed for deer hunting with a handgun in my state. In Indiana I have to use either an expanding flat soft nose (exposed lead) or hollow point bullet if using jacketed bullets. If you want to use a jacketed or solid copper bullet that is what I would recommend. For cast bullets use a hunting style bullet (semi-wadcutter) with a wide meplat.

 

[trapper500]

500 Mag Bullets

iam going to using The 300 Grain FTX Hornady or the Rainer 300 grain TCJHP which ever shoots the best in my NEF Handy Rifle i am paying it off soon & iam gonna test these above loads .

 

[rcmodel]

IMO: 700 grain bullets belong in .50 BMG cases.

Whoever thought up the recent trend in ultra-heavy for caliber revolver bullets must have been in the six-gun repair business!

Or perhaps a joint-replacement company?

rc