.500 S&W Magnum
The most powerful production revolver round. Big-game handgun hunting and defense against grizzly and brown bear.
Good for: Revolver, Hunting, Big game/bear
A typical factory load is a 350 gr XTP bullet at about 1,900 ft/s, with roughly 2,805 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle.
Typical load
350 grXTP · 8.375" barrelMuzzle speed
1,900 ft/sMuzzle energy
2,805 ft-lbsTypical BC (G1)
≈ 0.15typical, varies by brandTwist rate
1:18.75Practical range
100 ydPoint-blank range
161 yd6" vital zoneRecommended platform
Heavy X-frame revolver with brakeBrutal recoil; not a beginner gunOn the Handgun Cartridges chart
Made for
The most powerful production revolver round. Big-game handgun hunting and defense against grizzly and brown bear.
Typical load
350 grXTP · 8.375" barrel
Typical muzzle fps
1,900ft/s
Typical muzzle energy
2,805ft-lbs
Typical BC (G1)
≈ 0.15typical, varies by brand
Twist rate for typical load
1:18.75
Practical range
100 yd
MPBR (iron sights)
161 yd6" vital zone · Near zero 7 yd · Far zero 138 yd · Min PBR 0 yd · Max PBR 161 yd · Sight-in @25 1.31" high
Recommended platform
Heavy X-frame revolver with brakeBrutal recoil; not a beginner gun
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Speed, energy and BC are typical figures for the listed load; real numbers vary by brand, lot and barrel length. Always check the ammo maker's data for your exact load.