Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 N.E. 3'' with .510 | 600gr | Woodleigh FMJ bullet and 41 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 60, Accurate 4064 and IMR 3031.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 80% and propellant combustion ≥ 95%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 26"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,709 psi | 90% | 1873 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 90% | 34,403 psi | 85% | 1903 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,331 psi | 87% | 1923 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,738 psi | 90% | 1955 fps | 99.6% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,694 psi | 88% | 1880 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,810 psi | 88% | 1897 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,824 psi | 86% | 1885 fps | 95.9% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 94% | 36,042 psi | 89% | 1920 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,071 psi | 89% | 1820 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,186 psi | 87% | 1926 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,259 psi | 87% | 1859 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,998 psi | 89% | 1884 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,448 psi | 90% | 1959 fps | 96.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,982 psi | 84% | 1206 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,579 psi | 90% | 1906 fps | 96.3% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,331 psi | 87% | 1909 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,694 psi | 88% | 1852 fps | 96.4% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,738 psi | 90% | 1874 fps | 97.7% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,331 psi | 87% | 1895 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,288 psi | 87% | 1863 fps | 96.5% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,041 psi | 86% | 1844 fps | 96.3% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,737 psi | 86% | 1859 fps | 98.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,301 psi | 82% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 94% | 35,375 psi | 87% | 1939 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 36,579 psi | 90% | 1853 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,404 psi | 87% | 1844 fps | 96.4% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,839 psi | 88% | 1909 fps | 96% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,331 psi | 87% | 1895 fps | 98.2% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,288 psi | 87% | 1863 fps | 96.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,244 psi | 87% | 1794 fps | 98.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,158 psi | 89% | 1827 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,447 psi | 87% | 1871 fps | 96.7% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,463 psi | 90% | 1831 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,709 psi | 90% | 1828 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 90% | 35,549 psi | 88% | 1903 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,695 psi | 90% | 1875 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,143 psi | 89% | 1875 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,070 psi | 86% | 1852 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 90% | 36,390 psi | 90% | 1893 fps | 98.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,403 psi | 85% | 1878 fps | 97% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 82% | 36,492 psi | 90% | 1903 fps | 95.9% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 26"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,430 psi | 80% | 1808 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,889 psi | 61% | 1729 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,703 psi | 71% | 1808 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate 4064 | 67.8 gr | 80% | 23,627 psi | 58% | 1709 fps | 96% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,589 psi | 78% | 1808 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,588 psi | 73% | 1795 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 32,721 psi | 81% | 1847 fps | 95.2% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 33,649 psi | 83% | 1881 fps | 95.7% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,982 psi | 84% | 1785 fps | 96.4% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,848 psi | 71% | 1811 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,069 psi | 81% | 1822 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,707 psi | 83% | 1845 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,213 psi | 79% | 1880 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,540 psi | 60% | 1074 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,476 psi | 85% | 1870 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 3031 | 64.7 gr | 80% | 26,063 psi | 64% | 1730 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 82% | 33,605 psi | 83% | 1815 fps | 95.7% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,301 psi | 84% | 1834 fps | 97.1% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,035 psi | 67% | 1743 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,198 psi | 77% | 1791 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,938 psi | 81% | 1808 fps | 95.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,776 psi | 71% | 1751 fps | 96.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,642 psi | 61% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 81.7 gr | 90% | 31,125 psi | 77% | 1853 fps | 95.4% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,489 psi | 80% | 1783 fps | 97.7% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,299 psi | 77% | 1772 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 94% | 33,591 psi | 83% | 1872 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,035 psi | 67% | 1743 fps | 95.5% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 86% | 31,198 psi | 77% | 1791 fps | 95.1% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,154 psi | 77% | 1725 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,208 psi | 62% | 1628 fps | 96.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,112 psi | 82% | 1831 fps | 96% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,487 psi | 75% | 1731 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,979 psi | 71% | 1700 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,005 psi | 64% | 1732 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,992 psi | 66% | 1700 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 29,965 psi | 74% | 1773 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,808 psi | 81% | 1812 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,556 psi | 65% | 1711 fps | 95.8% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,126 psi | 79% | 1837 fps | 96.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,142 psi | 84% | 1863 fps | 95.1% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 41 powders for .500 N.E. 3'' loaded with the .510 | 600gr | Woodleigh FMJ. Hodgdon LEVERevolution delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,959 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,206 fps to 1,959 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 41 of the 41 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (280 MPa), the top charges use 82–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Vihtavuori N150 reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. ReloadSwiss RS 60, Accurate 4064, IMR 3031 rank at the top here: for .500 N.E. 3'' with the .510 | 600gr | Woodleigh FMJ they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 stay subsonic at start load. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.