Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 S&W Mag. with .500 | 350gr | Hornady XTP MAG 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, Accurate 4100 and Alliant 2400.
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% | 53,940 psi | 87% | 1755 fps | 96.9% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,817 psi | 72% | 1663 fps | 88.5% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,198 psi | 83% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,985 psi | 90% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,013 psi | 89% | 1745 fps | 99.7% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,185 psi | 86% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,779 psi | 84% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,795 psi | 88% | 1736 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AP 100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,491 psi | 88% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,186 psi | 87% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,360 psi | 88% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,722 psi | 87% | 1329 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,853 psi | 89% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,997 psi | 86% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,734 psi | 82% | 1736 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,679 psi | 87% | 1424 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOTᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 1742 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,896 psi | 87% | 1529 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,634 psi | 85% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,708 psi | 87% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,445 psi | 83% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MPᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 1818 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 1381 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 50,459 psi | 81% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,634 psi | 85% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,071 psi | 89% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,054 psi | 84% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,576 psi | 85% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,257 psi | 84% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Claysᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,376 psi | 89% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110* | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,632 psi | 80% | 1762 fps | 93.5% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,795 psi | 87% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGunᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,588 psi | 78% | 1795 fps | 98.7% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,243 psi | 84% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,234 psi | 36% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,186 psi | 87% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,985 psi | 90% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,632 psi | 80% | 1690 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,288 psi | 88% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 1463 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,605 psi | 83% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,113 psi | 86% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,782 psi | 90% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,272 psi | 84% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,808 psi | 84% | 1752 fps | 99% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,547 psi | 83% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 72% | 50,981 psi | 82% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 21,031 psi | 34% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,997 psi | 86% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,622 psi | 90% | 1716 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 29,211 psi | 47% | 1480 fps | 87.8% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,040 psi | 86% | 1644 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,632 psi | 80% | 1690 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,985 psi | 90% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,113 psi | 86% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,518 psi | 85% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,156 psi | 84% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,014 psi | 90% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,702 psi | 45% | 1417 fps | 94.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,215 psi | 88% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,796 psi | 90% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,390 psi | 89% | 1673 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,184 psi | 83% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,795 psi | 87% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 68% | 49,777 psi | 80% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,377 psi | 62% | 1539 fps | 88.2% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,288 psi | 88% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,909 psi | 84% | 1673 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,853 psi | 56% | 1558 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,535 psi | 90% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,305 psi | 63% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,634 psi | 85% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,912 psi | 90% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,996 psi | 84% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,561 psi | 83% | 1811 fps | 91.6% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 1476 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 | 31.7 gr | 76% | 27,572 psi | 45% | 1404 fps | 87.5% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,363 psi | 64% | 1594 fps | 86.4% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,459 psi | 51% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,285 psi | 51% | 1447 fps | 98.6% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,743 psi | 38% | 1312 fps | 90.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,690 psi | 50% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,123 psi | 45% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,989 psi | 39% | 1309 fps | 92.2% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,435 psi | 31% | 1155 fps | 99% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,146 psi | 63% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,140 psi | 50% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,994 psi | 48% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,255 psi | 49% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,127 psi | 53% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | 24.5 gr | 64% | 21,016 psi | 34% | 1266 fps | 85.7% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,776 psi | 46% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,362 psi | 30% | 1171 fps | 90.6% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,331 psi | 57% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,545 psi | 49% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,132 psi | 34% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,689 psi | 46% | 1368 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP* | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,604 psi | 51% | 1516 fps | 87.4% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,254 psi | 47% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,190 psi | 65% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,790 psi | 46% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,414 psi | 49% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,305 psi | 33% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,315 psi | 54% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,082 psi | 50% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,541 psi | 41% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110* | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,822 psi | 53% | 1535 fps | 87.1% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,263 psi | 67% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 20,581 psi | 33% | 1342 fps | 86.1% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,353 psi | 73% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,399 psi | 17% | 758 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,837 psi | 53% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,285 psi | 51% | 1447 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,192 psi | 39% | 1319 fps | 91.1% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,117 psi | 63% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,547 psi | 54% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,237 psi | 42% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,327 psi | 47% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,182 psi | 47% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,067 psi | 50% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,663 psi | 54% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | 26.4 gr | 64% | 19,827 psi | 32% | 1257 fps | 86.1% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,016 psi | 65% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,775 psi | 76% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,492 psi | 61% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,790 psi | 16% | 768 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,673 psi | 45% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,339 psi | 43% | 1342 fps | 98.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30* | <<locked>> | 96% | 26,223 psi | 42% | 1417 fps | 85.4% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,741 psi | 66% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,902 psi | 39% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,192 psi | 39% | 1319 fps | 91.1% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,285 psi | 51% | 1447 fps | 98.6% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,368 psi | 43% | 1178 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,662 psi | 51% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,009 psi | 50% | 1214 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,214 psi | 54% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2* | <<locked>> | 84% | 17,999 psi | 29% | 1201 fps | 86.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,337 psi | 38% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,951 psi | 50% | 1214 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,112 psi | 53% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,735 psi | 53% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,356 psi | 47% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,087 psi | 61% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265* | <<locked>> | 96% | 34,548 psi | 56% | 1483 fps | 86.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,485 psi | 44% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,043 psi | 31% | 1178 fps | 95.4% |
| Vihtavuori N105² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,273 psi | 26% | 1158 fps | 96.9% |
| Vihtavuori N110* | <<locked>> | 84% | 21,408 psi | 35% | 1312 fps | 87% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,106 psi | 71% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,663 psi | 54% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,260 psi | 28% | 896 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,576 psi | 54% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,211 psi | 47% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,163 psi | 39% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,756 psi | 67% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 92% | 39,088 psi | 63% | 1654 fps | 87.2% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,441 psi | 44% | 1178 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 46 powders for .500 S&W Mag. loaded with the .500 | 350gr | Hornady XTP MAG. Alliant Power Pro 300-MP delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,818 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,001 fps to 1,818 fps. ADI AP 100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 46 of the 46 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, Accurate 4100, Alliant 2400 rank at the top here: for .500 S&W Mag. with the .500 | 350gr | Hornady XTP MAG they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Hodgdon H110, SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. 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.