500 S&W Magnum Ballistics Chart and Cartridge Guide

500 S&W Magnum Ballistics Charts:

This 500 S&W Mag ballistic chart shows 325 Federal Premium Swift A-Frame rounds fired from an 8.5 inch barrel:

	Muzzle	25 YDS	50 YDS
Velocity (FPS)	1800	1677	1559
Energy (FT/LB)	2338	2028	1754

This 500 S&W Magnum ballistics chart shows 300 grain Hornady FTX fired from an 8.5 inch barrel:

	Muzzle	25 YDS	50 YDS
Velocity (FPS)	2075	1915	1764
Energy (FT/LB)	2868	2443	2073

This 500 S&W Mag ballistics chart shows 500 grain Hornady flat point XTP fired from an 8.5 inch barrel:

	Muzzle	25 YDS	50 YDS
Velocity (FPS)	1425	1350	1281
Energy (FT/LB)	2254	2022	1821

500 S&W Magnum History:

The 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum is Herb Belin’s idea of the most powerful handgun cartridge in the world, and he (along with S&W) has succeeded.

At the time, Belin was Director of Emerging Tech over and S&W, and was also responsible for the “fastest” handgun cartridge ever made, the 460 S&W.

The 500 S&W is capable of some serious power with the right loadings. For example, the more aerodynamic Hornady flex tip bullet packs a serious punch traveling over 2,000 feet per second with 2868 pounds of energy at the muzzle.

The cartridge was introduced to the shooting public in 2003 along with a new revolver designed to handle firing this powerhouse.

This cartridge is capable of hunting any animal on the North American continent and also excels as a dangerous animal defense gun.

Recoil is heavy and shooting handguns chambered in 500 Magnum is not recommended for people new to shooting.