Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 S&W Mag. with .500 | 240gr | Lehigh Defense Controlled Fracturing bullet and 82 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant BLUE DOT, Vihtavuori 3N38 and Vihtavuori N105.
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>> | 96% | 51,895 psi | 84% | 2162 fps | 93.1% |
| Accurate No. 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,463 psi | 90% | 1942 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 54,244 psi | 88% | 2080 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,679 psi | 87% | 2175 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate No. 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 2175 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,822 psi | 84% | 1781 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,911 psi | 89% | 1873 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,707 psi | 85% | 2159 fps | 98.4% |
| ADI AP 100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,924 psi | 85% | 2070 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 52,924 psi | 85% | 1877 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,548 psi | 86% | 1686 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,011 psi | 86% | 1716 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,940 psi | 87% | 1768 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,141 psi | 84% | 1801 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,158 psi | 89% | 2234 fps | 96.4% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,402 psi | 85% | 1824 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOTᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,085 psi | 87% | 2182 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,301 psi | 84% | 1959 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,637 psi | 90% | 1844 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,504 psi | 85% | 1946 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,100 psi | 89% | 2165 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,069 psi | 86% | 2228 fps | 91.2% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,388 psi | 85% | 1778 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,288 psi | 88% | 1985 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,028 psi | 90% | 1998 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 1788 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,894 psi | 82% | 1765 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,256 psi | 83% | 1775 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,724 psi | 90% | 1896 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,882 psi | 89% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,969 psi | 89% | 2257 fps | 90.9% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,098 psi | 84% | 2008 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGunᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,296 psi | 75% | 2195 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,328 psi | 81% | 1975 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 21,973 psi | 35% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,924 psi | 85% | 1877 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036² | <<locked>> | 64% | 54,186 psi | 87% | 2080 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,679 psi | 87% | 2175 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D037.2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,665 psi | 88% | 2188 fps | 98% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 72% | 52,823 psi | 85% | 1824 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,880 psi | 84% | 1880 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,824 psi | 89% | 1867 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,938 psi | 84% | 1827 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 1841 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,620 psi | 85% | 1798 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 1775 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,908 psi | 81% | 2165 fps | 96.2% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 1995 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 64% | 51,924 psi | 84% | 1988 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Zip² | <<locked>> | 64% | 55,622 psi | 90% | 1873 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 1844 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 20,740 psi | 33% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,285 psi | 83% | 1916 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,722 psi | 87% | 2159 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,331 psi | 88% | 1801 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,634 psi | 83% | 2070 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 54,186 psi | 87% | 2080 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,665 psi | 88% | 2188 fps | 98% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,679 psi | 87% | 2175 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,898 psi | 90% | 1932 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,840 psi | 90% | 1867 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,477 psi | 90% | 1886 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,114 psi | 89% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 26,890 psi | 43% | 1736 fps | 88.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,779 psi | 85% | 1988 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,491 psi | 88% | 1883 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,243 psi | 86% | 2119 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,969 psi | 89% | 1972 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,605 psi | 85% | 1916 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,288 psi | 89% | 2133 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,505 psi | 86% | 2011 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,475 psi | 85% | 2113 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,666 psi | 90% | 2175 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,446 psi | 54% | 1909 fps | 89.9% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,997 psi | 86% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,259 psi | 88% | 1808 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,943 psi | 63% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,111 psi | 83% | 1841 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,520 psi | 88% | 1929 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,503 psi | 83% | 1982 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,039 psi | 82% | 1824 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,534 psi | 88% | 1886 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* | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,766 psi | 56% | 1890 fps | 86.6% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,676 psi | 50% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,442 psi | 77% | 1998 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,313 psi | 49% | 1795 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,148 psi | 37% | 1614 fps | 85.2% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,124 psi | 49% | 1486 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,224 psi | 44% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,351 psi | 38% | 1614 fps | 86.8% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,956 psi | 31% | 1444 fps | 96% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,406 psi | 62% | 1693 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,603 psi | 49% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,718 psi | 48% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,820 psi | 48% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,590 psi | 53% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,226 psi | 49% | 1811 fps | 87.2% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,340 psi | 46% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | 27.2 gr | 64% | 20,392 psi | 33% | 1526 fps | 87.4% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,476 psi | 56% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,008 psi | 48% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,871 psi | 34% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,876 psi | 45% | 1719 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP* | <<locked>> | 92% | 40,466 psi | 65% | 2037 fps | 86.7% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,979 psi | 47% | 1450 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,015 psi | 63% | 1788 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,137 psi | 45% | 1598 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,530 psi | 48% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,102 psi | 32% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,880 psi | 53% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,298 psi | 49% | 1565 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,241 psi | 50% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110* | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,032 psi | 68% | 2067 fps | 86.4% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,059 psi | 65% | 1857 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun* | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,339 psi | 43% | 1808 fps | 85.1% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,976 psi | 71% | 1896 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,588 psi | 17% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,271 psi | 52% | 1598 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,384 psi | 77% | 1995 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,313 psi | 49% | 1795 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,641 psi | 38% | 1627 fps | 85.6% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,276 psi | 62% | 1647 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,764 psi | 53% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,817 psi | 42% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,964 psi | 47% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,761 psi | 46% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,269 psi | 49% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,779 psi | 53% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 25,570 psi | 41% | 1713 fps | 85.3% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,073 psi | 63% | 1788 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,426 psi | 73% | 1909 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Zip² | <<locked>> | 60% | 49,313 psi | 80% | 1804 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,869 psi | 60% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,153 psi | 16% | 994 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,905 psi | 43% | 1568 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,556 psi | 41% | 1667 fps | 94.7% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,016 psi | 65% | 1631 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,511 psi | 38% | 1624 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,384 psi | 77% | 1995 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,641 psi | 38% | 1627 fps | 85.6% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,313 psi | 49% | 1795 fps | 95.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,715 psi | 42% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,748 psi | 50% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,066 psi | 49% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,677 psi | 53% | 1450 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2* | <<locked>> | 96% | 24,279 psi | 39% | 1670 fps | 86.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,684 psi | 37% | 1509 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,124 psi | 49% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,169 psi | 52% | 1808 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,010 psi | 52% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,718 psi | 46% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,912 psi | 60% | 1873 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,789 psi | 43% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38*² | 24.9 gr | 60% | 18,724 psi | 30% | 1467 fps | 90.7% |
| Vihtavuori N105*² | 24.5 gr | 60% | 15,925 psi | 26% | 1434 fps | 92% |
| Vihtavuori N110* | <<locked>> | 92% | 26,527 psi | 43% | 1759 fps | 85.5% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,613 psi | 70% | 1591 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,677 psi | 53% | 1535 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,332 psi | 28% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,619 psi | 53% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,413 psi | 46% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,438 psi | 38% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,698 psi | 66% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,079 psi | 44% | 1512 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 49 powders for .500 S&W Mag. loaded with the .500 | 240gr | Lehigh Defense Controlled Fracturing. Alliant 2400 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,234 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,289 fps to 2,234 fps. ADI AP 100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 49 of the 49 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (427 MPa), the top charges use 33–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. ADI AP 100, Alliant BLUE DOT, Alliant Herco 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 BLUE DOT, Vihtavuori 3N38, Vihtavuori N105 rank at the top here: for .500 S&W Mag. with the .500 | 240gr | Lehigh Defense Controlled Fracturing they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 4100 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.