Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 S&W Mag. with .5 | 440gr | Rim Rock LBT?WFN Gas Check bullet and 79 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon LilGun, Hodgdon H110 and Alliant Power Pro 300-MP.
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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You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 8.38"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 4100 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,753 psi | 90% | 1621 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,346 psi | 88% | 1627 fps | 96.5% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,925 psi | 87% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,447 psi | 88% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,955 psi | 89% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,447 psi | 88% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,346 psi | 88% | 1565 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,405 psi | 89% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,970 psi | 90% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,896 psi | 87% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,811 psi | 90% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,244 psi | 88% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,504 psi | 85% | 1591 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,272 psi | 84% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,343 psi | 83% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,302 psi | 88% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,650 psi | 87% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 72% | 50,575 psi | 82% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,547 psi | 83% | 1624 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,447 psi | 88% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,460 psi | 85% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,764 psi | 84% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,517 psi | 83% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,679 psi | 88% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,766 psi | 87% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,534 psi | 88% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,376 psi | 89% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,142 psi | 86% | 1647 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 25,512 psi | 41% | 935 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,721 psi | 84% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,447 psi | 88% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 49,037 psi | 79% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,477 psi | 90% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 68% | 50,473 psi | 81% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,505 psi | 88% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,129 psi | 89% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,011 psi | 86% | 1214 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 1604 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,026 psi | 86% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,468 psi | 40% | 951 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,648 psi | 83% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,100 psi | 89% | 1535 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,001 psi | 65% | 1529 fps | 98.4% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,850 psi | 82% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,693 psi | 87% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 49,037 psi | 79% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,447 psi | 88% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,561 psi | 83% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,114 psi | 87% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,579 psi | 90% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,116 psi | 62% | 1427 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,838 psi | 87% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,287 psi | 86% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,027 psi | 87% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,201 psi | 88% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,228 psi | 84% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,882 psi | 87% | 1486 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,734 psi | 82% | 1555 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,186 psi | 87% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,796 psi | 90% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,723 psi | 88% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,211 psi | 79% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,084 psi | 86% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 72% | 52,214 psi | 84% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,947 psi | 71% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,085 psi | 87% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,794 psi | 85% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,014 psi | 90% | 1703 fps | 97.3% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,911 psi | 87% | 1309 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 | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,176 psi | 34% | 1155 fps | 88.6% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,731 psi | 45% | 1296 fps | 86.6% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,652 psi | 61% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,741 psi | 66% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,198 psi | 50% | 1316 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,548 psi | 56% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,822 psi | 53% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,183 psi | 50% | 1306 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,018 psi | 39% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,295 psi | 73% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,576 psi | 54% | 991 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,938 psi | 53% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,736 psi | 54% | 1040 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,521 psi | 61% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,192 psi | 39% | 1214 fps | 93.6% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,881 psi | 55% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,467 psi | 38% | 1168 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,524 psi | 67% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,577 psi | 56% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,295 psi | 41% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,462 psi | 57% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*² | 31.1 gr | 64% | 22,249 psi | 36% | 1207 fps | 86.9% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,025 psi | 53% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,065 psi | 76% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,360 psi | 55% | 1178 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,766 psi | 56% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,873 psi | 39% | 958 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,682 psi | 62% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,289 psi | 59% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,418 psi | 56% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110*² | 31.1 gr | 64% | 22,989 psi | 37% | 1224 fps | 86.6% |
| Hodgdon LilGun*² | 28.2 gr | 60% | 16,447 psi | 27% | 1112 fps | 87.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,038 psi | 19% | 709 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,218 psi | 62% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,741 psi | 66% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,923 psi | 52% | 1325 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,599 psi | 72% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,118 psi | 65% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,995 psi | 50% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,664 psi | 56% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,649 psi | 54% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,070 psi | 57% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,043 psi | 60% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,453 psi | 38% | 1211 fps | 94.3% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,732 psi | 77% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,366 psi | 70% | 1178 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,589 psi | 19% | 722 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,779 psi | 55% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,330 psi | 54% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 19,972 psi | 32% | 1171 fps | 86.9% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,818 psi | 74% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,662 psi | 51% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,923 psi | 52% | 1325 fps | 98.7% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,741 psi | 66% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,299 psi | 51% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,260 psi | 59% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,969 psi | 58% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,289 psi | 59% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 13,576 psi | 22% | 971 fps | 87% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,268 psi | 46% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,665 psi | 58% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,119 psi | 68% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,044 psi | 63% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,534 psi | 56% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,036 psi | 76% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 22,756 psi | 37% | 1161 fps | 85.1% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,895 psi | 55% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,468 psi | 40% | 1165 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N105² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,553 psi | 36% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,896 psi | 26% | 1056 fps | 87.2% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 48,153 psi | 78% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,435 psi | 62% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,131 psi | 33% | 840 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,740 psi | 64% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,983 psi | 56% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,907 psi | 48% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,703 psi | 77% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,862 psi | 45% | 1335 fps | 87.2% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,503 psi | 52% | 1109 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 28 powders for .500 S&W Mag. loaded with the .5 | 440gr | Rim Rock LBT?WFN Gas Check. Winchester 296 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,703 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 935 fps to 1,703 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 28 of the 28 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (427 MPa), the top charges use 40–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, ReloadSwiss RS 30 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. Hodgdon LilGun, Hodgdon H110, Alliant Power Pro 300-MP rank at the top here: for .500 S&W Mag. with the .5 | 440gr | Rim Rock LBT?WFN Gas Check they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star 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.