Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 S&W Mag. with .500 | 275gr | Barnes XPB bullet and 82 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Ramshot Enforcer, Alliant BLUE DOT and Vihtavuori 3N38.
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.
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: 8.38"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 4100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,563 psi | 86% | 2031 fps | 95% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 50,981 psi | 82% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 55,709 psi | 90% | 1929 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,723 psi | 88% | 2031 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,721 psi | 85% | 1644 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,753 psi | 90% | 1726 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,447 psi | 88% | 2021 fps | 99.3% |
| ADI AP 100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 1916 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,853 psi | 87% | 1729 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 1549 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,606 psi | 87% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,549 psi | 88% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,692 psi | 85% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,662 psi | 82% | 2021 fps | 96.8% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,505 psi | 86% | 1683 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOTᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,869 psi | 90% | 2041 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,722 psi | 87% | 1814 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,243 psi | 84% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,577 psi | 87% | 1801 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,865 psi | 82% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 2103 fps | 93.5% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,214 psi | 86% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,303 psi | 89% | 1834 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,533 psi | 85% | 1798 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,578 psi | 88% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,663 psi | 83% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,170 psi | 84% | 1644 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,692 psi | 83% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Claysᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,056 psi | 89% | 1588 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110* | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,821 psi | 80% | 2041 fps | 91.2% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,577 psi | 87% | 1864 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGunᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,196 psi | 78% | 2073 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 64% | 51,721 psi | 84% | 1831 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,205 psi | 36% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,853 psi | 87% | 1729 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036² | <<locked>> | 64% | 55,651 psi | 90% | 1929 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,313 psi | 80% | 1969 fps | 98.1% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,824 psi | 87% | 1680 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,229 psi | 86% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,970 psi | 90% | 1722 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,895 psi | 85% | 1686 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,593 psi | 90% | 1696 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 1654 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,214 psi | 84% | 1588 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,634 psi | 83% | 2034 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 68% | 50,894 psi | 82% | 1781 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,142 psi | 86% | 1841 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,068 psi | 82% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 20,987 psi | 34% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,794 psi | 85% | 1772 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,071 psi | 89% | 2011 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,955 psi | 89% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,881 psi | 85% | 1926 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 55,651 psi | 90% | 1929 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,313 psi | 80% | 1969 fps | 98.1% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,475 psi | 85% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,924 psi | 84% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,503 psi | 83% | 1693 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,550 psi | 90% | 1598 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,688 psi | 45% | 1637 fps | 91.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,896 psi | 87% | 1841 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,535 psi | 90% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,911 psi | 89% | 1969 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 1824 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 1765 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 68% | 49,647 psi | 80% | 1903 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,824 psi | 89% | 1864 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,867 psi | 87% | 1969 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,372 psi | 83% | 1962 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,780 psi | 56% | 1801 fps | 92.4% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,809 psi | 87% | 1565 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,085 psi | 89% | 1663 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,450 psi | 64% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,199 psi | 84% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,695 psi | 90% | 1781 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,881 psi | 85% | 1834 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,953 psi | 84% | 1683 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,372 psi | 83% | 2087 fps | 88.9% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,535 psi | 90% | 1742 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>> | 80% | 31,517 psi | 51% | 1699 fps | 86.9% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,372 psi | 51% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 48,544 psi | 78% | 1850 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,111 psi | 50% | 1680 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,685 psi | 38% | 1516 fps | 87.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,530 psi | 49% | 1368 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,920 psi | 45% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,931 psi | 39% | 1516 fps | 89.3% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,421 psi | 31% | 1352 fps | 97.6% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,059 psi | 63% | 1562 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,980 psi | 50% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,081 psi | 49% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,182 psi | 49% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,880 psi | 53% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 24,149 psi | 39% | 1545 fps | 85.1% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,761 psi | 46% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | 23.8 gr | 60% | 18,449 psi | 30% | 1362 fps | 87.6% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,215 psi | 57% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,429 psi | 49% | 1381 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,089 psi | 34% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,514 psi | 46% | 1601 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP* | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,448 psi | 59% | 1834 fps | 86.8% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,501 psi | 48% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,726 psi | 64% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,558 psi | 46% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,197 psi | 49% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,450 psi | 33% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,257 psi | 54% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,995 psi | 50% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,411 psi | 41% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110* | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,855 psi | 61% | 1860 fps | 86.6% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,031 psi | 66% | 1719 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun* | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,699 psi | 38% | 1624 fps | 85.3% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,107 psi | 73% | 1759 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,617 psi | 17% | 902 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,953 psi | 53% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036² | <<locked>> | 60% | 48,530 psi | 78% | 1850 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,111 psi | 50% | 1680 fps | 96.9% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,178 psi | 39% | 1529 fps | 88.2% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,754 psi | 63% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,344 psi | 54% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,194 psi | 42% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,399 psi | 47% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,051 psi | 47% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,734 psi | 50% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,359 psi | 54% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | 33.9 gr | 68% | 23,032 psi | 37% | 1532 fps | 85.5% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,813 psi | 64% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,369 psi | 75% | 1768 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,463 psi | 60% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,051 psi | 16% | 912 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,586 psi | 45% | 1450 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,194 psi | 42% | 1562 fps | 96.5% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,538 psi | 65% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,047 psi | 39% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 48,530 psi | 78% | 1850 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,178 psi | 39% | 1529 fps | 88.2% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,111 psi | 50% | 1680 fps | 96.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,382 psi | 43% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,459 psi | 51% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,835 psi | 50% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,315 psi | 54% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2* | <<locked>> | 88% | 20,204 psi | 33% | 1447 fps | 85.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,279 psi | 38% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,603 psi | 49% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,924 psi | 53% | 1680 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,561 psi | 53% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,254 psi | 47% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,753 psi | 61% | 1742 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,514 psi | 44% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38*² | 23.2 gr | 60% | 19,116 psi | 31% | 1371 fps | 92.9% |
| Vihtavuori N105*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,447 psi | 27% | 1348 fps | 94.6% |
| Vihtavuori N110* | <<locked>> | 88% | 24,250 psi | 39% | 1585 fps | 86% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,063 psi | 71% | 1463 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,460 psi | 54% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,608 psi | 28% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,388 psi | 54% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,066 psi | 47% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,018 psi | 39% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,394 psi | 67% | 1565 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,657 psi | 72% | 1991 fps | 86.5% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,543 psi | 44% | 1398 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 44 powders for .500 S&W Mag. loaded with the .500 | 275gr | Barnes XPB. Alliant Power Pro 300-MP delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,103 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,188 fps to 2,103 fps. ADI AP 100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 44 of the 44 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (427 MPa), the top charges use 34–90 %, 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. Ramshot Enforcer, Alliant BLUE DOT, Vihtavuori 3N38 rank at the top here: for .500 S&W Mag. with the .500 | 275gr | Barnes XPB they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Alliant Power Pro 300-MP, Vihtavuori N110 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.