Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 S&W Mag. with .501 | 255gr | Rim Rock SWC 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, Alliant BLUE DOT and Vihtavuori 3N38.
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>> | 96% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 2126 fps | 94.5% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 50,401 psi | 81% | 1831 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 2028 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,882 psi | 89% | 2133 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,346 psi | 88% | 2129 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,388 psi | 85% | 1732 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,666 psi | 90% | 1821 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 2119 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI AP 100ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,650 psi | 87% | 2014 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 1824 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,925 psi | 87% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,461 psi | 86% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,259 psi | 88% | 1719 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,170 psi | 84% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,067 psi | 81% | 2113 fps | 96.2% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,997 psi | 86% | 1775 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOTᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 2139 fps | 99.9% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,142 psi | 86% | 1909 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,098 psi | 84% | 1752 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 53,127 psi | 86% | 1893 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,372 psi | 81% | 2044 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,563 psi | 88% | 2192 fps | 92.7% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,736 psi | 85% | 1729 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,172 psi | 89% | 1936 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,069 psi | 84% | 1893 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,041 psi | 87% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,459 psi | 83% | 1716 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,822 psi | 84% | 1729 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,503 psi | 83% | 1795 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,288 psi | 89% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110* | <<locked>> | 96% | 49,284 psi | 80% | 2129 fps | 90.4% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,011 psi | 86% | 1959 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGunᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,095 psi | 78% | 2169 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 64% | 51,169 psi | 83% | 1923 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 21,770 psi | 35% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 1824 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036² | <<locked>> | 64% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,882 psi | 89% | 2133 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,970 psi | 90% | 2149 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 1775 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,576 psi | 85% | 1831 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,564 psi | 90% | 1818 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,402 psi | 85% | 1778 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 1791 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,229 psi | 86% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,028 psi | 90% | 1722 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,198 psi | 83% | 2126 fps | 97.2% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 68% | 50,604 psi | 82% | 1877 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,808 psi | 85% | 1936 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,637 psi | 90% | 1795 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 20,392 psi | 33% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,098 psi | 84% | 1864 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,578 psi | 88% | 2110 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,607 psi | 88% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,301 psi | 84% | 2021 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 2031 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,970 psi | 90% | 2149 fps | 98.8% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,882 psi | 89% | 2133 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,272 psi | 84% | 1834 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,851 psi | 84% | 1768 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,430 psi | 83% | 1788 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,579 psi | 90% | 1690 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,267 psi | 44% | 1706 fps | 90.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 1936 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,172 psi | 89% | 1834 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,230 psi | 88% | 2067 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,390 psi | 89% | 1919 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,316 psi | 86% | 1864 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,883 psi | 90% | 2073 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,418 psi | 88% | 1962 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,606 psi | 87% | 2067 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 96% | 50,734 psi | 82% | 2057 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,258 psi | 55% | 1880 fps | 91.5% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,839 psi | 89% | 1755 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,711 psi | 63% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,387 psi | 83% | 1788 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 1880 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,460 psi | 85% | 1929 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,619 psi | 83% | 1775 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,068 psi | 82% | 2178 fps | 88.1% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 1837 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% | 30,821 psi | 50% | 1768 fps | 85.6% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,024 psi | 50% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 48,341 psi | 78% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,603 psi | 49% | 1755 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,090 psi | 37% | 1578 fps | 86.4% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,342 psi | 49% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,354 psi | 44% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,453 psi | 38% | 1581 fps | 88.1% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,898 psi | 31% | 1407 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,551 psi | 62% | 1644 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,734 psi | 50% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,602 psi | 48% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,849 psi | 48% | 1401 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,692 psi | 53% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 26,789 psi | 43% | 1686 fps | 86.1% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,413 psi | 46% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | 25.5 gr | 60% | 17,869 psi | 29% | 1414 fps | 86% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,882 psi | 56% | 1663 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,081 psi | 49% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,711 psi | 33% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,123 psi | 45% | 1680 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP* | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,897 psi | 58% | 1909 fps | 85.7% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,950 psi | 47% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,552 psi | 64% | 1739 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,166 psi | 45% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,675 psi | 48% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,914 psi | 32% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,822 psi | 53% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,371 psi | 49% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,372 psi | 51% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110* | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,202 psi | 60% | 1936 fps | 85.4% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,640 psi | 66% | 1811 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun* | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,731 psi | 43% | 1778 fps | 86.9% |
| Hodgdon Longshot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,672 psi | 72% | 1847 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,124 psi | 16% | 948 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,271 psi | 52% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036² | <<locked>> | 60% | 48,283 psi | 78% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,603 psi | 49% | 1755 fps | 96.2% |
| Lovex D037.2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,728 psi | 38% | 1594 fps | 87% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,682 psi | 62% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,967 psi | 53% | 1588 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,889 psi | 42% | 1424 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,863 psi | 47% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,645 psi | 46% | 1447 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,414 psi | 49% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,895 psi | 53% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | 38.4 gr | 72% | 25,701 psi | 41% | 1677 fps | 86.7% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,334 psi | 64% | 1736 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot True Blue² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,876 psi | 74% | 1857 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,854 psi | 60% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,602 psi | 16% | 958 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,064 psi | 44% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,715 psi | 42% | 1631 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,074 psi | 65% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,221 psi | 37% | 1575 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 48,283 psi | 78% | 1949 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,728 psi | 38% | 1594 fps | 87% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,603 psi | 49% | 1755 fps | 96.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,860 psi | 42% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,995 psi | 50% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,327 psi | 49% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,895 psi | 53% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2* | <<locked>> | 92% | 21,886 psi | 35% | 1565 fps | 86% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,742 psi | 37% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,269 psi | 49% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,184 psi | 52% | 1755 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,227 psi | 52% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,877 psi | 47% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,246 psi | 60% | 1827 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,905 psi | 43% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38*² | 24.9 gr | 60% | 18,579 psi | 30% | 1427 fps | 91.6% |
| Vihtavuori N105*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,722 psi | 25% | 1394 fps | 92.9% |
| Vihtavuori N110* | <<locked>> | 92% | 26,745 psi | 43% | 1719 fps | 86.9% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,845 psi | 71% | 1545 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,822 psi | 53% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,984 psi | 27% | 1125 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,851 psi | 53% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,558 psi | 46% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,525 psi | 38% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,118 psi | 66% | 1654 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 96% | 44,164 psi | 71% | 2077 fps | 85.5% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,093 psi | 44% | 1470 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 .501 | 255gr | Rim Rock SWC. Alliant Power Pro 300-MP delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,192 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,250 fps to 2,192 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 33–90 %, 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, Alliant BLUE DOT, Vihtavuori 3N38 rank at the top here: for .500 S&W Mag. with the .501 | 255gr | Rim Rock SWC they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate 4100, Alliant Power Pro 300-MP 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.