Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 S&W Mag. with .500 | 375gr | Barnes XPB bullet and 83 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Accurate No. 9, Ramshot Enforcer and Accurate TCM.
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 4100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,895 psi | 84% | 1572 fps | 95% |
| Accurate No. 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,141 psi | 84% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,618 psi | 82% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,477 psi | 90% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,389 psi | 88% | 1578 fps | 99.1% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,112 psi | 84% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,795 psi | 87% | 1565 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AP 100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,849 psi | 79% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,724 psi | 90% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,898 psi | 90% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,301 psi | 86% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,518 psi | 85% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,505 psi | 88% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 1621 fps | 98% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,853 psi | 89% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOTᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,458 psi | 80% | 1529 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,520 psi | 88% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,822 psi | 84% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,530 psi | 80% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,285 psi | 83% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,547 psi | 83% | 1660 fps | 94.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,447 psi | 88% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,561 psi | 83% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,127 psi | 86% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,927 psi | 90% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,211 psi | 78% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,171 psi | 86% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,572 psi | 77% | 1581 fps | 91.2% |
| Hodgdon HP38² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,737 psi | 87% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,114 psi | 89% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGunᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,001 psi | 63% | 1539 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 20,987 psi | 34% | 886 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,158 psi | 89% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,560 psi | 82% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,477 psi | 90% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,211 psi | 79% | 1532 fps | 98.4% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 72% | 50,430 psi | 81% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,839 psi | 89% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,127 psi | 84% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,766 psi | 87% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,286 psi | 84% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,781 psi | 88% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,751 psi | 87% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,893 psi | 81% | 1578 fps | 97.8% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 72% | 52,446 psi | 85% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,506 psi | 90% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Zip² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,881 psi | 85% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,794 psi | 85% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 19,783 psi | 32% | 902 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,982 psi | 86% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,897 psi | 89% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,764 psi | 84% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,315 psi | 84% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,560 psi | 82% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol | <<locked>> | 84% | 49,211 psi | 79% | 1532 fps | 98.4% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,477 psi | 90% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,026 psi | 86% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,664 psi | 87% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,838 psi | 87% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 23,989 psi | 39% | 1224 fps | 90.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,143 psi | 87% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,576 psi | 83% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,129 psi | 89% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,953 psi | 84% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,302 psi | 88% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 72% | 50,705 psi | 82% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,448 psi | 90% | 1440 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,316 psi | 86% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,530 psi | 80% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 29,167 psi | 47% | 1342 fps | 91% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,503 psi | 83% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,793 psi | 84% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,028 psi | 60% | 1050 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,243 psi | 86% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,663 psi | 83% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,011 psi | 86% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,401 psi | 83% | 1306 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% | 27,108 psi | 44% | 1270 fps | 85.5% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,964 psi | 47% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,106 psi | 71% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,615 psi | 45% | 1263 fps | 96.6% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | 19.9 gr | 60% | 21,147 psi | 34% | 1142 fps | 87.4% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,080 psi | 47% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,063 psi | 42% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | 19.3 gr | 60% | 21,248 psi | 34% | 1138 fps | 88.9% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,796 psi | 29% | 1014 fps | 97.6% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,477 psi | 59% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,066 psi | 49% | 945 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,805 psi | 48% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,964 psi | 47% | 991 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,241 psi | 50% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 24,062 psi | 39% | 1217 fps | 86.8% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,731 psi | 43% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,723 psi | 27% | 1024 fps | 87.6% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,677 psi | 53% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,081 psi | 49% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,580 psi | 32% | 997 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,136 psi | 42% | 1207 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP* | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,110 psi | 49% | 1391 fps | 86.2% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,891 psi | 45% | 994 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,796 psi | 59% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,789 psi | 43% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,384 psi | 46% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,116 psi | 31% | 909 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,169 psi | 50% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,921 psi | 47% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,661 psi | 50% | 961 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110* | <<locked>> | 92% | 36,216 psi | 58% | 1450 fps | 87% |
| Hodgdon HP38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 48,008 psi | 78% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,347 psi | 60% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun* | <<locked>> | 84% | 22,814 psi | 37% | 1273 fps | 86.5% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,046 psi | 66% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,124 psi | 16% | 673 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,734 psi | 50% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,048 psi | 71% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,615 psi | 45% | 1263 fps | 96.6% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,625 psi | 35% | 1152 fps | 87.8% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,535 psi | 59% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,864 psi | 50% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,569 psi | 40% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,427 psi | 44% | 1043 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,485 psi | 44% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,211 psi | 47% | 1030 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,894 psi | 51% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | 23 gr | 72% | 22,843 psi | 37% | 1214 fps | 87.4% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,840 psi | 59% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,308 psi | 68% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Zip² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,239 psi | 76% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,940 psi | 56% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,660 psi | 16% | 682 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,454 psi | 41% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,699 psi | 38% | 1175 fps | 96.4% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,203 psi | 62% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,190 psi | 34% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,048 psi | 71% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,625 psi | 35% | 1152 fps | 87.8% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,615 psi | 45% | 1263 fps | 96.6% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,410 psi | 39% | 1043 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,530 psi | 48% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,429 psi | 49% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,024 psi | 52% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2* | <<locked>> | 92% | 19,740 psi | 32% | 1135 fps | 86.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,248 psi | 34% | 1050 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,601 psi | 46% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,631 psi | 48% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,313 psi | 49% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,137 psi | 44% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,069 psi | 55% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,947 psi | 40% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,405 psi | 28% | 1033 fps | 93% |
| Vihtavuori N105*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,460 psi | 23% | 1014 fps | 94.6% |
| Vihtavuori N110* | <<locked>> | 92% | 23,337 psi | 38% | 1240 fps | 87.1% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,293 psi | 68% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,401 psi | 51% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,520 psi | 27% | 794 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,864 psi | 50% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,861 psi | 43% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,814 psi | 35% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,044 psi | 63% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,686 psi | 41% | 1050 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 52 powders for .500 S&W Mag. loaded with the .500 | 375gr | Barnes XPB. Alliant Power Pro 300-MP delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,660 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 886 fps to 1,660 fps. Accurate 4100 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 52 of the 52 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (427 MPa), the top charges use 32–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Accurate 4100, ADI AP 100, Alliant 2400 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. Accurate No. 9, Ramshot Enforcer, Accurate TCM rank at the top here: for .500 S&W Mag. with the .500 | 375gr | 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 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. ADI APS 350, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon Clays 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.