Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 S&W Mag. with .501 | 350gr | H&N KS HS 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, Accurate 4100 and Alliant BLUE DOT.
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% | 53,171 psi | 86% | 1837 fps | 98.5% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 96% | 51,721 psi | 84% | 1837 fps | 93.7% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 52,069 psi | 84% | 1549 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,040 psi | 84% | 1778 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,388 psi | 85% | 1804 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 1467 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,808 psi | 85% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,083 psi | 84% | 1791 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,505 psi | 86% | 1693 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,592 psi | 88% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,258 psi | 86% | 1381 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,968 psi | 86% | 1407 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,752 psi | 88% | 1453 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,156 psi | 86% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 84% | 50,169 psi | 81% | 1814 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,679 psi | 88% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,637 psi | 90% | 1821 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,940 psi | 89% | 1614 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,127 psi | 86% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,228 psi | 84% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,389 psi | 88% | 1759 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,985 psi | 90% | 1916 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 50,923 psi | 82% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 1611 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,390 psi | 89% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 1460 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 52,460 psi | 85% | 1463 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,127 psi | 86% | 1519 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,969 psi | 89% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110 | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,285 psi | 81% | 1857 fps | 96% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 64% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 1667 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 92% | 50,647 psi | 82% | 1886 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,976 psi | 40% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 1549 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,040 psi | 84% | 1778 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,708 psi | 87% | 1818 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,781 psi | 88% | 1552 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,171 psi | 86% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,520 psi | 88% | 1506 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,504 psi | 85% | 1480 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,186 psi | 87% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,156 psi | 84% | 1417 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,314 psi | 83% | 1827 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,243 psi | 84% | 1588 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,779 psi | 84% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 23,772 psi | 38% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 1588 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,852 psi | 85% | 1768 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,942 psi | 61% | 1716 fps | 95.6% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 54,911 psi | 89% | 1473 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,401 psi | 83% | 1690 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,708 psi | 87% | 1818 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,040 psi | 84% | 1778 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,940 psi | 89% | 1565 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,736 psi | 85% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,765 psi | 85% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 1424 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,998 psi | 58% | 1614 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,909 psi | 84% | 1614 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,112 psi | 84% | 1509 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 51,837 psi | 84% | 1709 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 52,475 psi | 85% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,492 psi | 90% | 1585 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 64% | 51,822 psi | 84% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,617 psi | 79% | 1762 fps | 94.5% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,315 psi | 84% | 1627 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 1745 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,112 psi | 84% | 1742 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,543 psi | 75% | 1781 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,243 psi | 84% | 1385 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,709 psi | 90% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,076 psi | 70% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,243 psi | 86% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,460 psi | 85% | 1549 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,778 psi | 82% | 1604 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,098 psi | 84% | 1493 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296* | <<locked>> | 92% | 52,692 psi | 85% | 1913 fps | 94.5% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,591 psi | 85% | 1522 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 | 34.7 gr | 64% | 23,264 psi | 38% | 1371 fps | 86.9% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS* | <<locked>> | 84% | 34,432 psi | 56% | 1601 fps | 87.2% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,492 psi | 59% | 1388 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,667 psi | 62% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,660 psi | 48% | 1486 fps | 96.2% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,750 psi | 54% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,850 psi | 51% | 1276 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,733 psi | 48% | 1480 fps | 97% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,047 psi | 37% | 1283 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,121 psi | 71% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,156 psi | 54% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,198 psi | 52% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,895 psi | 53% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,535 psi | 59% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,090 psi | 37% | 1368 fps | 89.8% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,880 psi | 53% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT² | 25.6 gr | 60% | 22,336 psi | 36% | 1322 fps | 95.6% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,364 psi | 65% | 1457 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,707 psi | 54% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,366 psi | 39% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,200 psi | 55% | 1512 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,833 psi | 45% | 1503 fps | 87.6% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,416 psi | 52% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,658 psi | 74% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,214 psi | 54% | 1368 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,837 psi | 55% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,250 psi | 38% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,753 psi | 61% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,201 psi | 57% | 1329 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,601 psi | 45% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,761 psi | 46% | 1526 fps | 87.3% |
| Hodgdon HS-6² | <<locked>> | 60% | 48,327 psi | 78% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun*² | 34.9 gr | 64% | 17,927 psi | 29% | 1312 fps | 85.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,719 psi | 19% | 827 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,188 psi | 60% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,667 psi | 62% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,269 psi | 49% | 1496 fps | 96.4% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 43,395 psi | 70% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,754 psi | 63% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,849 psi | 48% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,779 psi | 55% | 1286 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,750 psi | 53% | 1260 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,389 psi | 56% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,448 psi | 59% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,220 psi | 36% | 1362 fps | 90.4% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,340 psi | 75% | 1529 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,206 psi | 68% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,197 psi | 18% | 840 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,503 psi | 52% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,908 psi | 52% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30* | <<locked>> | 84% | 23,902 psi | 39% | 1437 fps | 86.8% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,976 psi | 73% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,226 psi | 49% | 1437 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,269 psi | 49% | 1496 fps | 96.4% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,667 psi | 62% | 1621 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,298 psi | 49% | 1289 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,288 psi | 57% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,925 psi | 56% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,636 psi | 58% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 16,288 psi | 26% | 1201 fps | 87% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,253 psi | 44% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,940 psi | 56% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 40,277 psi | 65% | 1581 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,797 psi | 61% | 1424 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,663 psi | 54% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 45,136 psi | 73% | 1640 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265* | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,383 psi | 44% | 1434 fps | 85.3% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,619 psi | 53% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,395 psi | 38% | 1329 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N105² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,234 psi | 34% | 1312 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N110*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 19,406 psi | 31% | 1309 fps | 87.4% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,630 psi | 77% | 1339 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,478 psi | 61% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,595 psi | 32% | 981 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,435 psi | 62% | 1362 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,707 psi | 54% | 1348 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 28,674 psi | 46% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,601 psi | 75% | 1440 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,081 psi | 49% | 1572 fps | 85.1% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,604 psi | 51% | 1289 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 29 powders for .500 S&W Mag. loaded with the .501 | 350gr | H&N KS HS. Alliant Power Pro 300-MP delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,916 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,089 fps to 1,916 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 29 of the 29 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (427 MPa), the top charges use 38–90 %, 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, Accurate 4100, Alliant BLUE DOT rank at the top here: for .500 S&W Mag. with the .501 | 350gr | H&N KS HS they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 11 FS, Somchem S265, Winchester 296 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.