Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 S&W Mag. with .499 | 325gr | Swift A-Frame bullet and 80 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant 2400, Hodgdon LilGun and Accurate 4100.
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 ≥ 60% and propellant combustion ≥ 80%. 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.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 8.38"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 4100 | <<locked>> | 88% | 49,748 psi | 80% | 1864 fps | 97.1% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,419 psi | 89% | 1939 fps | 93.3% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 50,662 psi | 82% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 68% | 49,081 psi | 79% | 1818 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 49,414 psi | 80% | 1837 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,141 psi | 84% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,840 psi | 90% | 1594 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 76% | 49,110 psi | 79% | 1827 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,343 psi | 83% | 1742 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,997 psi | 86% | 1588 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,489 psi | 85% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,141 psi | 84% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,027 psi | 87% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,837 psi | 84% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,243 psi | 86% | 1919 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,156 psi | 86% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,692 psi | 85% | 1860 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,621 psi | 87% | 1670 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,808 psi | 84% | 1529 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 1673 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,127 psi | 84% | 1811 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,054 psi | 84% | 1936 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,591 psi | 85% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,114 psi | 89% | 1686 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,243 psi | 86% | 1663 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,940 psi | 87% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,098 psi | 84% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,082 psi | 82% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,547 psi | 83% | 1568 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,824 psi | 87% | 1965 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,156 psi | 86% | 1719 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,838 psi | 87% | 1995 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,120 psi | 39% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,708 psi | 87% | 1598 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 49,081 psi | 79% | 1818 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 50,937 psi | 82% | 1854 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,620 psi | 85% | 1545 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 52,910 psi | 85% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,941 psi | 90% | 1591 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,258 psi | 86% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,492 psi | 90% | 1568 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,866 psi | 85% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,042 psi | 89% | 1936 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,430 psi | 81% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,405 psi | 89% | 1565 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 23,119 psi | 37% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,258 psi | 86% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 76% | 50,415 psi | 81% | 1811 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,331 psi | 57% | 1729 fps | 93% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,563 psi | 86% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,984 psi | 89% | 1791 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 50,937 psi | 82% | 1854 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 49,081 psi | 79% | 1818 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,214 psi | 86% | 1614 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,343 psi | 83% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,227 psi | 83% | 1562 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,882 psi | 87% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,692 psi | 54% | 1637 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,911 psi | 89% | 1709 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 1604 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 49,414 psi | 80% | 1759 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 1683 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,766 psi | 87% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 64% | 49,545 psi | 80% | 1762 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,716 psi | 74% | 1785 fps | 92.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,869 psi | 90% | 1729 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,807 psi | 82% | 1791 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,085 psi | 89% | 1844 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,482 psi | 70% | 1811 fps | 98.1% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 64% | 51,605 psi | 83% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,230 psi | 88% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,279 psi | 68% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,909 psi | 84% | 1562 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,970 psi | 90% | 1647 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 1703 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,633 psi | 82% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 92% | 48,834 psi | 79% | 1932 fps | 92.1% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,637 psi | 90% | 1611 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 8.38"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 4100*² | 36.7 gr | 68% | 25,063 psi | 40% | 1463 fps | 86.8% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,782 psi | 59% | 1696 fps | 86.8% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,041 psi | 57% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,608 psi | 59% | 1654 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,021 psi | 45% | 1509 fps | 94.3% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,054 psi | 53% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,647 psi | 49% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,123 psi | 45% | 1506 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,944 psi | 35% | 1312 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,714 psi | 69% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,460 psi | 52% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,778 psi | 51% | 1214 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,300 psi | 52% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,766 psi | 58% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | 29.8 gr | 60% | 21,727 psi | 35% | 1385 fps | 87.1% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,763 psi | 51% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,147 psi | 34% | 1342 fps | 93.6% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,943 psi | 63% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,967 psi | 53% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,540 psi | 38% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,605 psi | 53% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,776 psi | 48% | 1598 fps | 87.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,488 psi | 51% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,092 psi | 71% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,894 psi | 51% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,764 psi | 53% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,379 psi | 36% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,593 psi | 59% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,968 psi | 55% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,919 psi | 43% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,835 psi | 50% | 1621 fps | 87% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,427 psi | 75% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun*² | 36.9 gr | 68% | 19,160 psi | 31% | 1394 fps | 85.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,356 psi | 18% | 853 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,911 psi | 58% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,608 psi | 59% | 1654 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,572 psi | 46% | 1522 fps | 94.6% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,438 psi | 69% | 1440 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,246 psi | 60% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,993 psi | 47% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,518 psi | 53% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,952 psi | 52% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,344 psi | 54% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,520 psi | 57% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,610 psi | 33% | 1371 fps | 87.5% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,657 psi | 72% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,843 psi | 66% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,849 psi | 18% | 866 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,111 psi | 50% | 1381 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,298 psi | 49% | 1529 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30* | <<locked>> | 88% | 25,106 psi | 41% | 1512 fps | 85.9% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,772 psi | 71% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,500 psi | 46% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,572 psi | 46% | 1522 fps | 94.6% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,608 psi | 59% | 1654 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,167 psi | 47% | 1329 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,214 psi | 55% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,736 psi | 54% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,186 psi | 57% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 17,172 psi | 28% | 1273 fps | 86.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,063 psi | 42% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,736 psi | 54% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,276 psi | 62% | 1624 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,376 psi | 59% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,401 psi | 52% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,149 psi | 70% | 1686 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265* | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,503 psi | 52% | 1581 fps | 86.8% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,140 psi | 50% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,147 psi | 36% | 1352 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N105² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,754 psi | 32% | 1332 fps | 99% |
| Vihtavuori N110*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 20,523 psi | 33% | 1388 fps | 86.9% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,644 psi | 75% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,289 psi | 59% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,913 psi | 31% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,999 psi | 60% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,387 psi | 52% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,325 psi | 44% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,223 psi | 73% | 1486 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,101 psi | 60% | 1755 fps | 87.4% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,472 psi | 49% | 1329 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
* not dangerous but load has suboptimal powder burnt with possible characteristics such as extensive muzzle flash or inaccurate loads.
² fill rate low - you might want to consider using a filler to ensure proper ignition.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 32 powders for .500 S&W Mag. loaded with the .499 | 325gr | Swift A-Frame. Hodgdon LilGun delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,995 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,125 fps to 1,995 fps. Accurate No. 11 FS gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 32 of the 32 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (427 MPa), the top charges use 37–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Accurate No. 11 FS, Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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. Alliant 2400, Hodgdon LilGun, Accurate 4100 rank at the top here: for .500 S&W Mag. with the .499 | 325gr | Swift A-Frame they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 11 FS, ReloadSwiss RS 30, Somchem S265 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. 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.