Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .500 S&W Mag. with .501 | 440gr | LEE Mold C501-440-RF 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.
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>> | 88% | 55,245 psi | 89% | 1627 fps | 99.8% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,056 psi | 87% | 1640 fps | 96.7% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,911 psi | 87% | 1345 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,215 psi | 88% | 1588 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,157 psi | 87% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,853 psi | 87% | 1302 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,708 psi | 87% | 1572 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 1476 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,390 psi | 89% | 1332 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,432 psi | 86% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,345 psi | 86% | 1214 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 1253 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,650 psi | 87% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400 | <<locked>> | 84% | 51,967 psi | 84% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,767 psi | 90% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT | <<locked>> | 88% | 51,517 psi | 83% | 1545 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 68% | 50,981 psi | 82% | 1355 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,693 psi | 87% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,098 psi | 86% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 72% | 50,241 psi | 81% | 1483 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP | <<locked>> | 88% | 50,473 psi | 81% | 1627 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,998 psi | 87% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,417 psi | 85% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,811 psi | 90% | 1394 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,445 psi | 83% | 1237 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,954 psi | 87% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,505 psi | 86% | 1270 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,389 psi | 88% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,926 psi | 89% | 1211 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110 | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,156 psi | 84% | 1650 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,729 psi | 40% | 938 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,198 psi | 83% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,753 psi | 90% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,100 psi | 89% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 72% | 55,593 psi | 90% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,215 psi | 88% | 1299 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,405 psi | 89% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,143 psi | 89% | 1280 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,779 psi | 85% | 1224 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,156 psi | 86% | 1614 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,417 psi | 86% | 1378 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 68% | 52,040 psi | 84% | 1266 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 23,395 psi | 38% | 951 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,619 psi | 83% | 1335 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,694 psi | 88% | 1545 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,581 psi | 64% | 1535 fps | 98.4% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 68% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 1273 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,344 psi | 85% | 1470 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 55,753 psi | 90% | 1601 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,534 psi | 86% | 1555 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,300 psi | 83% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,041 psi | 87% | 1296 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 76% | 54,230 psi | 88% | 1312 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10 | <<locked>> | 80% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 1230 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,492 psi | 61% | 1430 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,388 psi | 86% | 1404 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 76% | 52,953 psi | 86% | 1306 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 53,214 psi | 86% | 1490 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 53,635 psi | 87% | 1371 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 76% | 51,474 psi | 83% | 1329 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,185 psi | 86% | 1496 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,719 psi | 80% | 1562 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,708 psi | 87% | 1414 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 1526 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N105 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,375 psi | 88% | 1522 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,414 psi | 78% | 1578 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 64% | 52,910 psi | 85% | 1198 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 72% | 51,721 psi | 84% | 1243 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,497 psi | 70% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 72% | 54,389 psi | 88% | 1309 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 76% | 53,650 psi | 87% | 1342 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,040 psi | 84% | 1391 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 64% | 53,156 psi | 86% | 1293 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,201 psi | 89% | 1709 fps | 97.4% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,156 psi | 86% | 1316 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% | 20,102 psi | 32% | 1148 fps | 87.9% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 26,774 psi | 43% | 1293 fps | 86.3% |
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,376 psi | 60% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 7² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,740 psi | 64% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Accurate No. 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,168 psi | 49% | 1312 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,214 psi | 55% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,198 psi | 52% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Accurate TCM² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,472 psi | 49% | 1309 fps | 99% |
| ADI AP 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,351 psi | 38% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,483 psi | 72% | 1240 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,185 psi | 54% | 994 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,460 psi | 52% | 1014 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,257 psi | 54% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,825 psi | 59% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| Alliant 2400*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,119 psi | 37% | 1207 fps | 93.1% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,967 psi | 53% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BLUE DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,539 psi | 36% | 1165 fps | 97.9% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,321 psi | 67% | 1263 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,939 psi | 55% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,497 psi | 40% | 1066 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,969 psi | 56% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 300-MP*² | 31.9 gr | 64% | 20,784 psi | 34% | 1194 fps | 85.8% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,561 psi | 53% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,688 psi | 75% | 1319 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,373 psi | 54% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,142 psi | 55% | 1079 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,047 psi | 37% | 958 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,058 psi | 61% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,650 psi | 58% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,011 psi | 55% | 1014 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H110*² | 31.9 gr | 64% | 21,567 psi | 35% | 1211 fps | 85.6% |
| Hodgdon LilGun*² | 28.9 gr | 60% | 15,098 psi | 24% | 1089 fps | 86.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,197 psi | 18% | 709 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,536 psi | 61% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,740 psi | 64% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D037.2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,893 psi | 50% | 1322 fps | 98.6% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,425 psi | 72% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,465 psi | 64% | 1204 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,342 psi | 49% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,620 psi | 54% | 1106 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,112 psi | 53% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,635 psi | 56% | 1089 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,680 psi | 59% | 1073 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Enforcer*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,176 psi | 36% | 1201 fps | 93.7% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,282 psi | 76% | 1325 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 42,177 psi | 68% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,544 psi | 17% | 719 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,199 psi | 54% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24² | <<locked>> | 60% | 32,822 psi | 53% | 1316 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 30*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 19,000 psi | 31% | 1161 fps | 86% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 44,991 psi | 73% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,037 psi | 49% | 1250 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Heavy Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,893 psi | 50% | 1322 fps | 98.6% |
| Shooters World Major Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,740 psi | 64% | 1421 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 30,966 psi | 50% | 1119 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,911 psi | 58% | 1132 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,636 psi | 58% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 36,085 psi | 58% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 12,473 psi | 20% | 955 fps | 85.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,572 psi | 45% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 35,259 psi | 57% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 41,060 psi | 66% | 1375 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 38,363 psi | 62% | 1234 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,055 psi | 55% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221² | <<locked>> | 60% | 46,398 psi | 75% | 1434 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S265*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 24,294 psi | 39% | 1211 fps | 86.7% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 33,330 psi | 54% | 1220 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,598 psi | 38% | 1165 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N105² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,495 psi | 35% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 14,576 psi | 24% | 1037 fps | 85.7% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,630 psi | 77% | 1152 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 37,768 psi | 61% | 1122 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,160 psi | 31% | 840 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 39,218 psi | 63% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 34,418 psi | 56% | 1168 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 29,182 psi | 47% | 1165 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 47,558 psi | 77% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 296*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 26,455 psi | 43% | 1329 fps | 86.5% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 31,778 psi | 51% | 1115 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 .501 | 440gr | LEE Mold C501-440-RF. Winchester 296 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,709 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 938 fps to 1,709 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 38–89 %, leaving at least 11 % 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 .501 | 440gr | LEE Mold C501-440-RF 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.