Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 S&W Mag. with .500 | 450gr | CutEdge DGBR bullet and 81 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Power Pro 300-MP, Hodgdon LilGun 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.
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>> | 92% | 50,401 psi | 81% | 1450 fps | 98% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,341 psi | 78% | 1444 fps | 92.4% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,200 psi | 86% | 1227 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,677 psi | 83% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,256 psi | 83% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,795 psi | 88% | 1158 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,621 psi | 87% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,155 psi | 83% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,475 psi | 85% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,126 psi | 83% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,868 psi | 89% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,592 psi | 88% | 1112 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,605 psi | 85% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,955 psi | 89% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 1493 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,738 psi | 90% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,867 psi | 87% | 1440 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,782 psi | 90% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,677 psi | 83% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,853 psi | 87% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,996 psi | 84% | 1509 fps | 96.9% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,330 psi | 84% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,054 psi | 84% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,751 psi | 87% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,215 psi | 88% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,534 psi | 88% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,779 psi | 85% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,809 psi | 87% | 1532 fps | 96.7% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 49,792 psi | 80% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGunᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,910 psi | 85% | 1552 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 64% | 54,302 psi | 88% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 23,511 psi | 38% | 837 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,648 psi | 83% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,677 psi | 83% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,663 psi | 85% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,869 psi | 90% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 49,995 psi | 81% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,563 psi | 86% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,608 psi | 90% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,548 psi | 86% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,724 psi | 90% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,737 psi | 87% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,738 psi | 90% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,708 psi | 87% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,350 psi | 36% | 853 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,274 psi | 89% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,257 psi | 84% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 31,647 psi | 51% | 1299 fps | 92.9% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,851 psi | 84% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,430 psi | 81% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,663 psi | 85% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,677 psi | 83% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,143 psi | 89% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,360 psi | 88% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,157 psi | 87% | 1201 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,924 psi | 85% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 30,197 psi | 49% | 1234 fps | 97.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,677 psi | 83% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,026 psi | 86% | 1194 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,982 psi | 84% | 1365 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,287 psi | 86% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,840 psi | 90% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,939 psi | 85% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,640 psi | 67% | 1339 fps | 92.2% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,127 psi | 84% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,692 psi | 83% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,028 psi | 90% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,290 psi | 62% | 1355 fps | 98% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,187 psi | 89% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,605 psi | 85% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,785 psi | 66% | 991 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,578 psi | 88% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,837 psi | 85% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,767 psi | 90% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,128 psi | 87% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 1575 fps | 95.1% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,214 psi | 86% | 1204 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>> | 68% | 23,003 psi | 37% | 1109 fps | 87.5% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,503 psi | 52% | 1270 fps | 86.3% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,431 psi | 54% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,968 psi | 55% | 1247 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,860 psi | 42% | 1138 fps | 94.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,039 psi | 52% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,733 psi | 48% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,962 psi | 42% | 1135 fps | 95.9% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,900 psi | 34% | 991 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,408 psi | 67% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,633 psi | 51% | 886 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,835 psi | 50% | 906 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,444 psi | 51% | 932 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,809 psi | 56% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | 19.1 gr | 60% | 20,175 psi | 33% | 1050 fps | 88.3% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,327 psi | 49% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,073 psi | 32% | 1020 fps | 94.7% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,260 psi | 60% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,749 psi | 51% | 971 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,829 psi | 37% | 955 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,661 psi | 50% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*² | 26 gr | 72% | 23,453 psi | 38% | 1152 fps | 85.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,589 psi | 49% | 935 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,901 psi | 68% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,632 psi | 49% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,937 psi | 52% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,640 psi | 35% | 860 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,925 psi | 56% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,822 psi | 53% | 1024 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,329 psi | 52% | 899 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,688 psi | 45% | 1227 fps | 87.4% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,830 psi | 71% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun*² | 23.8 gr | 68% | 17,593 psi | 28% | 1070 fps | 86.8% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,848 psi | 77% | 1257 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,414 psi | 18% | 640 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,998 psi | 57% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,968 psi | 55% | 1247 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,411 psi | 43% | 1148 fps | 95.1% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,770 psi | 66% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,505 psi | 57% | 1070 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,659 psi | 45% | 955 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,430 psi | 51% | 991 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,676 psi | 50% | 968 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,329 psi | 52% | 971 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,911 psi | 56% | 958 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,160 psi | 31% | 1047 fps | 88.9% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,003 psi | 68% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,479 psi | 64% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,907 psi | 18% | 650 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,515 psi | 48% | 1033 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,413 psi | 46% | 1155 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30* | <<locked>> | 88% | 22,843 psi | 37% | 1142 fps | 86.4% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,235 psi | 68% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,672 psi | 43% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,411 psi | 43% | 1148 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,968 psi | 55% | 1247 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,775 psi | 45% | 991 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,025 psi | 53% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,489 psi | 52% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,287 psi | 55% | 942 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 14,489 psi | 23% | 928 fps | 85.6% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,831 psi | 40% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,198 psi | 52% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,824 psi | 58% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,447 psi | 56% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,111 psi | 50% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,263 psi | 65% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265* | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,847 psi | 43% | 1145 fps | 85.1% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,573 psi | 48% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,871 psi | 34% | 1020 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N105² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,478 psi | 30% | 1014 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N110*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 16,607 psi | 27% | 1004 fps | 85.7% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,672 psi | 74% | 1027 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,404 psi | 57% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,652 psi | 30% | 751 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,549 psi | 57% | 1050 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,024 psi | 50% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,962 psi | 42% | 1033 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,642 psi | 70% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 84% | 32,474 psi | 52% | 1319 fps | 87.2% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,211 psi | 47% | 994 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 41 powders for .500 S&W Mag. loaded with the .500 | 450gr | CutEdge DGBR. Winchester 296 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,575 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 837 fps to 1,575 fps. Accurate No. 11 FS gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 41 of the 41 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. Accurate No. 11 FS, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon LilGun 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. Alliant Power Pro 300-MP, Hodgdon LilGun, Alliant 2400 rank at the top here: for .500 S&W Mag. with the .500 | 450gr | CutEdge DGBR they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 11 FS, ReloadSwiss RS 30, Somchem S265 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. ADI APS 350, ADI APS 450, ADI AS 30 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.