Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 S&W Mag. with .500 | 400gr | Sierra Sports Master bullet and 79 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon LilGun, Hodgdon H110 and Alliant Power Pro 300-MP.
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>> | 88% | 55,230 psi | 89% | 1719 fps | 99.4% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,882 psi | 87% | 1726 fps | 95.7% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,679 psi | 87% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,621 psi | 87% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,288 psi | 88% | 1680 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,954 psi | 87% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,766 psi | 87% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,983 psi | 87% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 1568 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,651 psi | 90% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,693 psi | 87% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,606 psi | 87% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,492 psi | 90% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,186 psi | 87% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,315 psi | 84% | 1696 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,956 psi | 90% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,735 psi | 84% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,082 psi | 82% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,795 psi | 87% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,243 psi | 86% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 72% | 50,125 psi | 81% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,908 psi | 82% | 1719 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,331 psi | 88% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,257 psi | 84% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 56,014 psi | 90% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,285 psi | 83% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,476 psi | 88% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,490 psi | 86% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,433 psi | 88% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,158 psi | 89% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,591 psi | 85% | 1745 fps | 97.7% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 1772 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 25,396 psi | 41% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,300 psi | 83% | 1381 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,621 psi | 87% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,767 psi | 90% | 1693 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,071 psi | 89% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,840 psi | 90% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,389 psi | 88% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,637 psi | 90% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,940 psi | 89% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,591 psi | 85% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 1706 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 1463 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,736 psi | 85% | 1352 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,308 psi | 39% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,343 psi | 83% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,621 psi | 88% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,581 psi | 64% | 1614 fps | 97.6% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,637 psi | 90% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,997 psi | 86% | 1562 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,767 psi | 90% | 1693 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,621 psi | 87% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,213 psi | 83% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,896 psi | 87% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,114 psi | 89% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,739 psi | 61% | 1512 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,200 psi | 86% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,243 psi | 86% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,577 psi | 87% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,592 psi | 87% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,735 psi | 84% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,301 psi | 86% | 1585 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 50,502 psi | 82% | 1654 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,780 psi | 87% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,085 psi | 89% | 1617 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,433 psi | 88% | 1614 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,617 psi | 79% | 1667 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,040 psi | 86% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,895 psi | 84% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,048 psi | 71% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,375 psi | 88% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,708 psi | 87% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,286 psi | 84% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,069 psi | 86% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,419 psi | 89% | 1801 fps | 96.5% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,664 psi | 87% | 1401 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 | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,929 psi | 34% | 1220 fps | 87.1% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,485 psi | 44% | 1368 fps | 85.1% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,362 psi | 60% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,132 psi | 65% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,763 psi | 50% | 1391 fps | 97.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,447 psi | 56% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,721 psi | 53% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,908 psi | 50% | 1385 fps | 98.5% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,888 psi | 39% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,005 psi | 73% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,417 psi | 54% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,808 psi | 53% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,576 psi | 54% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,217 psi | 60% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,091 psi | 39% | 1286 fps | 92.4% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,475 psi | 54% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,163 psi | 37% | 1237 fps | 97.3% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,234 psi | 67% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,447 psi | 56% | 1161 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,034 psi | 40% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,230 psi | 57% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*² | 33.5 gr | 64% | 21,901 psi | 35% | 1273 fps | 85.1% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,011 psi | 53% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,514 psi | 75% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,910 psi | 55% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,679 psi | 56% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,844 psi | 39% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,392 psi | 62% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,143 psi | 58% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,243 psi | 55% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110*² | 35.6 gr | 68% | 26,252 psi | 42% | 1365 fps | 87.7% |
| Hodgdon LilGun*² | 30.4 gr | 60% | 16,201 psi | 26% | 1168 fps | 85.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,096 psi | 20% | 761 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,145 psi | 62% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,132 psi | 65% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,444 psi | 51% | 1401 fps | 98% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,266 psi | 71% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,581 psi | 64% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,632 psi | 49% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,447 psi | 56% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,388 psi | 54% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,911 psi | 56% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,043 psi | 60% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,235 psi | 38% | 1283 fps | 93.1% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,282 psi | 76% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,062 psi | 70% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,458 psi | 19% | 771 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,431 psi | 54% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,025 psi | 53% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30* | <<locked>> | 80% | 22,118 psi | 36% | 1296 fps | 87.6% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,643 psi | 74% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,285 psi | 51% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,444 psi | 51% | 1401 fps | 98% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,132 psi | 65% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,169 psi | 50% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,172 psi | 58% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,839 psi | 58% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,230 psi | 59% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 13,343 psi | 22% | 1024 fps | 85.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,152 psi | 45% | 1214 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,563 psi | 57% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,539 psi | 67% | 1463 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,609 psi | 62% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,360 psi | 55% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,630 psi | 75% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 25,338 psi | 41% | 1289 fps | 85.9% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,765 psi | 55% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,250 psi | 39% | 1237 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N105² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,350 psi | 36% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 15,606 psi | 25% | 1112 fps | 85.3% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 48,037 psi | 78% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,348 psi | 62% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,073 psi | 32% | 902 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,392 psi | 64% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,621 psi | 56% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,602 psi | 48% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,456 psi | 77% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,427 psi | 44% | 1407 fps | 85.5% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,314 psi | 52% | 1188 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 28 powders for .500 S&W Mag. loaded with the .500 | 400gr | Sierra Sports Master. Winchester 296 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,801 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,001 fps to 1,801 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 28 of the 28 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (427 MPa), the top charges use 39–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, ReloadSwiss RS 30 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, Hodgdon H110, Alliant Power Pro 300-MP rank at the top here: for .500 S&W Mag. with the .500 | 400gr | Sierra Sports Master they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. 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.