Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 S&W Mag. with .500 | 300gr | Speer TMJ bullet and 81 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon LilGun, Accurate 4100 and Ramshot Enforcer.
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>> | 92% | 53,127 psi | 86% | 1975 fps | 96.8% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,358 psi | 83% | 1962 fps | 90.7% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,389 psi | 88% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,708 psi | 87% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 1959 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,013 psi | 89% | 1611 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 1654 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,243 psi | 86% | 1949 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,751 psi | 87% | 1847 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,430 psi | 83% | 1647 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,521 psi | 90% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 1549 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,953 psi | 86% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,198 psi | 81% | 1955 fps | 98.1% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,590 psi | 83% | 1611 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,492 psi | 90% | 1972 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,532 psi | 83% | 1726 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,011 psi | 84% | 1624 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,852 psi | 85% | 1729 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,666 psi | 90% | 1929 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 2051 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 1608 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,082 psi | 82% | 1719 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,518 psi | 85% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,766 psi | 88% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,100 psi | 89% | 1614 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,100 psi | 89% | 1673 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,127 psi | 86% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110* | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,009 psi | 81% | 1991 fps | 93.6% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,952 psi | 82% | 1772 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,516 psi | 80% | 2021 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 64% | 55,767 psi | 90% | 1804 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 23,366 psi | 38% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,127 psi | 84% | 1654 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,708 psi | 87% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,042 psi | 89% | 1978 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,213 psi | 83% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,068 psi | 82% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,317 psi | 88% | 1647 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,242 psi | 83% | 1611 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,619 psi | 83% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,172 psi | 87% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,474 psi | 83% | 1972 fps | 98.9% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,665 psi | 88% | 1755 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,853 psi | 87% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,089 psi | 36% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,285 psi | 83% | 1693 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 1932 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,011 psi | 53% | 1742 fps | 90% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,243 psi | 84% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,011 psi | 84% | 1844 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,042 psi | 89% | 1978 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,708 psi | 87% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,126 psi | 83% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,955 psi | 89% | 1647 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,810 psi | 89% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,098 psi | 86% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 31,372 psi | 51% | 1663 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,794 psi | 85% | 1765 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,577 psi | 87% | 1660 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 1883 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 1742 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,054 psi | 84% | 1690 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,186 psi | 87% | 1890 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,091 psi | 70% | 1811 fps | 90% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 1785 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,519 psi | 86% | 1900 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,663 psi | 83% | 1893 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,059 psi | 65% | 1834 fps | 96.3% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,463 psi | 90% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,808 psi | 85% | 1588 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,234 psi | 67% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,608 psi | 90% | 1670 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 1706 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,793 psi | 84% | 1759 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,868 psi | 89% | 1654 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,156 psi | 84% | 2044 fps | 91.6% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,911 psi | 87% | 1667 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 | 38.8 gr | 72% | 26,876 psi | 43% | 1562 fps | 86.4% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,117 psi | 63% | 1795 fps | 86.1% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,707 psi | 54% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,534 psi | 56% | 1690 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,339 psi | 43% | 1532 fps | 91.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,169 psi | 52% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,573 psi | 48% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,527 psi | 43% | 1532 fps | 93.3% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,914 psi | 34% | 1345 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,350 psi | 67% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,923 psi | 52% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,169 psi | 50% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,517 psi | 51% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,766 psi | 56% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 23,293 psi | 38% | 1480 fps | 86.8% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,647 psi | 49% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,044 psi | 32% | 1365 fps | 91.3% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,594 psi | 61% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,054 psi | 53% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,597 psi | 36% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,096 psi | 50% | 1594 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP* | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,691 psi | 51% | 1696 fps | 86.8% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,676 psi | 50% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,598 psi | 69% | 1624 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,661 psi | 50% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,763 psi | 51% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,567 psi | 35% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,447 psi | 57% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,779 psi | 53% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,648 psi | 53% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110* | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,837 psi | 53% | 1719 fps | 86.5% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,512 psi | 72% | 1703 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun*² | 41.3 gr | 76% | 23,786 psi | 38% | 1578 fps | 88% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 48,718 psi | 79% | 1736 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,950 psi | 18% | 886 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,722 psi | 56% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,534 psi | 56% | 1690 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,890 psi | 43% | 1545 fps | 92.3% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,234 psi | 67% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,839 psi | 58% | 1486 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,978 psi | 45% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,314 psi | 51% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,966 psi | 50% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,401 psi | 52% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,679 psi | 56% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | 34.2 gr | 64% | 22,394 psi | 36% | 1473 fps | 87.4% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,004 psi | 69% | 1631 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,552 psi | 64% | 1463 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,428 psi | 17% | 896 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,762 psi | 48% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,718 psi | 46% | 1565 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30* | <<locked>> | 96% | 29,544 psi | 48% | 1670 fps | 87.6% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,598 psi | 69% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,556 psi | 43% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,890 psi | 43% | 1545 fps | 92.3% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,534 psi | 56% | 1690 fps | 99.1% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,079 psi | 45% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,170 psi | 54% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,619 psi | 53% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,272 psi | 55% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2* | <<locked>> | 80% | 18,014 psi | 29% | 1348 fps | 85.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,947 psi | 40% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,605 psi | 53% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,303 psi | 59% | 1670 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,983 psi | 56% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,241 psi | 50% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,133 psi | 66% | 1732 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265* | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,272 psi | 55% | 1670 fps | 86.1% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,733 psi | 48% | 1486 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,900 psi | 34% | 1378 fps | 96% |
| Vihtavuori N105² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,376 psi | 30% | 1358 fps | 97.6% |
| Vihtavuori N110* | <<locked>> | 80% | 21,611 psi | 35% | 1473 fps | 86.2% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,759 psi | 74% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,143 psi | 57% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,275 psi | 30% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,650 psi | 58% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,125 psi | 50% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,049 psi | 42% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,888 psi | 71% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,363 psi | 64% | 1857 fps | 86.8% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,327 psi | 47% | 1375 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 30 powders for .500 S&W Mag. loaded with the .500 | 300gr | Speer TMJ. Alliant Power Pro 300-MP delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,051 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,165 fps to 2,051 fps. Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 30 of the 30 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (427 MPa), the top charges use 36–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, 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. Hodgdon LilGun, Accurate 4100, Ramshot Enforcer rank at the top here: for .500 S&W Mag. with the .500 | 300gr | Speer TMJ they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Hodgdon H110 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.