I guess I should have clrified what a "full house" load is. I was strictly talking about full magnum loadings in the .460 cases, not .454 or .45 LC.
My full house load is a 300 grain XTP Mag bullet over 40.0 grains of H110 that has been chronod at 2,000 fps. That is a scary accurate load.
I am starting to work up a new load. I was going to use a MBC 300 grain .45 LC lead bullet. I was going to ignite this with 19.0 to 20.0 grains of Power Pistol. This chould get me in the 1,400-1,500 fps range for plinking. Those XTP Mag pills are getting expensive too for target shooting.
Another note, the 500 S&W magnum works at lower pressure than the 460. S&W engineers had to use different stainless alloys to withold the pressures of the 460. The ony thing that is the same is the frame size IIRC.
Codefour,
Not trying to be controversial but there were no difference in alloys utilized between the 460 and the 500 according to S&W. The big difference is the gain twist rifling used in the 460 barrel to stabilize the bullet and help with long range accuracy. The twist starts at 1 turn in 100 and tightens to 1:20 at the end of a 7 1/2 barrel, the compensator actually makes up the other inch.
The 460 SAAMI max pressure is 65,000psi but most factory ammunition is loaded to 55,000psi to prevent hard extraction of the cases. In the real world 65,000psi is not a practical working pressure. Most reloading manuals are around 55,000 to 58,000 as well and it is my recommendation to stay within the reloading manuals spec. Creeping up towards SAAMI spec is not advised and there is a possibility you will see frame stretching, top strap cutting and forcing cone erosion before seeing any impact to the barrel. If special alloys were needed for the 460 because of pressure then it would be needed for the 454 Casull as well because it's pressure also max's out at 65,000psi.
The S&W 500 SAAMI Spec is 60,000psi, again most factory ammunition is loaded to 50,000 to 55,000psi and the reloading manuals stay within this range. Trying to reload and creep up to the SAAMI Spec in the S&W 500 would result in the same issues I mentioned above about the 460VXR.
This is all data I have spoken to S&W about that was non confidential they were willing to share with me.
As for number of rounds I am not sure, but for as much as one would shoot these monster magnums they should last you a lifetime. If not I am sure S&W will take care of any issues.
I soon hope to complete a review of these behemoths shortly for my website
http://www.dayattherange.com