Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 S&W Mag. with .501 | 330gr | Rim Rock RNFP bullet and 80 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon LilGun, Alliant 2400 and Accurate 4100.
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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Max Load - Barrel Length: 8.38"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 4100 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,517 psi | 82% | 1860 fps | 97.4% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,898 psi | 90% | 1932 fps | 93.7% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 50,647 psi | 82% | 1588 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 68% | 49,719 psi | 80% | 1808 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 49,995 psi | 81% | 1831 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,446 psi | 85% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,590 psi | 83% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 76% | 49,748 psi | 80% | 1818 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,837 psi | 84% | 1732 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,692 psi | 85% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,359 psi | 85% | 1444 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,896 psi | 87% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,156 psi | 84% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,940 psi | 87% | 1913 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,519 psi | 86% | 1545 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 1854 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,635 psi | 87% | 1654 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,127 psi | 84% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,839 psi | 89% | 1657 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,634 psi | 85% | 1798 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,562 psi | 85% | 1929 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,489 psi | 85% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,143 psi | 89% | 1673 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,287 psi | 86% | 1650 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,288 psi | 88% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 96% | 52,098 psi | 84% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,430 psi | 83% | 1499 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,924 psi | 84% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,346 psi | 88% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,302 psi | 88% | 1955 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,621 psi | 87% | 1709 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,882 psi | 89% | 1988 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,308 psi | 39% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 1585 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 49,719 psi | 80% | 1808 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,271 psi | 83% | 1844 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,968 psi | 86% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,359 psi | 86% | 1591 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,982 psi | 84% | 1542 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,272 psi | 86% | 1545 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 1558 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,200 psi | 86% | 1516 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,492 psi | 90% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,796 psi | 90% | 1929 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,879 psi | 82% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,782 psi | 90% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 23,076 psi | 37% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,722 psi | 87% | 1624 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 76% | 50,952 psi | 82% | 1804 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,897 psi | 58% | 1726 fps | 93.6% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,911 psi | 87% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,666 psi | 90% | 1785 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,271 psi | 83% | 1844 fps | 99.8% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 49,719 psi | 80% | 1808 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,272 psi | 86% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,706 psi | 83% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,605 psi | 83% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,114 psi | 87% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 34,214 psi | 55% | 1634 fps | 97.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,419 psi | 89% | 1699 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,593 psi | 90% | 1594 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 49,980 psi | 81% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,126 psi | 83% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,157 psi | 87% | 1624 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,096 psi | 81% | 1749 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,383 psi | 75% | 1781 fps | 92.9% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 50,720 psi | 82% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,387 psi | 83% | 1781 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,782 psi | 90% | 1834 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,888 psi | 71% | 1801 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 64% | 51,488 psi | 83% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,592 psi | 88% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,264 psi | 68% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,924 psi | 84% | 1549 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 50,691 psi | 82% | 1585 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,534 psi | 88% | 1693 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,981 psi | 82% | 1532 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 92% | 49,676 psi | 80% | 1926 fps | 92.6% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,043 psi | 90% | 1601 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 | 36.7 gr | 68% | 25,425 psi | 41% | 1460 fps | 87.4% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,362 psi | 60% | 1693 fps | 87.3% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,360 psi | 57% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,072 psi | 60% | 1647 fps | 99.9% |
| Accurate No. 9*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,166 psi | 45% | 1503 fps | 94.6% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,272 psi | 54% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,908 psi | 50% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,456 psi | 46% | 1499 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,162 psi | 36% | 1306 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,018 psi | 69% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,619 psi | 53% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,662 psi | 51% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,489 psi | 52% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,998 psi | 58% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | 29.7 gr | 60% | 21,843 psi | 35% | 1378 fps | 87.5% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,981 psi | 52% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,379 psi | 35% | 1339 fps | 94% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,247 psi | 63% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,170 psi | 54% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,772 psi | 38% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,967 psi | 53% | 1545 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,269 psi | 49% | 1598 fps | 87.9% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,691 psi | 51% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,454 psi | 72% | 1562 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,184 psi | 52% | 1398 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,011 psi | 53% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,568 psi | 36% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,651 psi | 59% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,258 psi | 55% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,064 psi | 44% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 31,343 psi | 51% | 1617 fps | 87.6% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,833 psi | 76% | 1640 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun*² | 36.9 gr | 68% | 19,508 psi | 31% | 1394 fps | 85.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,458 psi | 19% | 850 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,201 psi | 58% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,072 psi | 60% | 1647 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,935 psi | 47% | 1516 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,714 psi | 69% | 1430 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,594 psi | 61% | 1427 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,240 psi | 47% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,779 psi | 53% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,908 psi | 52% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,576 psi | 54% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,708 psi | 58% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,929 psi | 34% | 1368 fps | 88.1% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,715 psi | 72% | 1565 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,162 psi | 66% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,950 psi | 18% | 860 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,401 psi | 51% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,647 psi | 49% | 1522 fps | 99.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30* | <<locked>> | 88% | 25,469 psi | 41% | 1512 fps | 86.7% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,034 psi | 71% | 1411 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,674 psi | 46% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,935 psi | 47% | 1516 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,072 psi | 60% | 1647 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,385 psi | 47% | 1322 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,447 psi | 56% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,011 psi | 55% | 1358 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,085 psi | 57% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 17,419 psi | 28% | 1270 fps | 87% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,324 psi | 43% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,982 psi | 55% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,406 psi | 62% | 1611 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,680 psi | 59% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,677 psi | 53% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,598 psi | 70% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265* | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,385 psi | 47% | 1509 fps | 85.2% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,444 psi | 51% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,408 psi | 36% | 1345 fps | 97.9% |
| Vihtavuori N105² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,044 psi | 32% | 1329 fps | 99.2% |
| Vihtavuori N110*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 20,871 psi | 34% | 1385 fps | 87.5% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,891 psi | 76% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,521 psi | 59% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,029 psi | 31% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,318 psi | 60% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,663 psi | 53% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,615 psi | 45% | 1368 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,542 psi | 74% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,634 psi | 53% | 1663 fps | 85.3% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,690 psi | 50% | 1319 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 32 powders for .500 S&W Mag. loaded with the .501 | 330gr | Rim Rock RNFP. Hodgdon LilGun delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,988 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,115 fps to 1,988 fps. Accurate No. 11 FS gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 32 of the 32 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (427 MPa), the top charges use 37–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Accurate No. 11 FS, Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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, Alliant 2400, Accurate 4100 rank at the top here: for .500 S&W Mag. with the .501 | 330gr | Rim Rock RNFP 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. 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.