Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 500 JRH load data question

Hey all. So have beem using my 5.5" JRH for a couple years now and have completely fell in love with this cartridge. Ive been running cp 440 hard cast over a fairly stout charge of 110. 28 -31 and it becomes interesting at the top end. I want to stay with that bullet, as this gun loves it, but i want a more friendly load that is still hell on game. Any pet loads for that bullet that are a bit nicer to handle on my end? Huntinf whitetails and black bear. Bear here can grow over 700lbs. Thanks

In my 5" FA83 500 JRH Conversion:

Using 440gr WFNGC 1.765" OAL
CCI 350s
Starline

10.0gr HP38/W231 ... 910 fps (JRH recommended load - saw picture of dead buffalo with this load)
14.8gr HS6 ............ 1,040 fps
26.0gr H4227 .......... 1,170 fps

FWIW,

Paul

That hs6 load is interesting. How is it to shoot as well as the 4227 load compared to a healthy dose of 110? Thanks

Can't compare to a full dose of H110. Got the 500 JRH towards the end of my Big Bore travels and found the above 4227 load as much as I wanted to deal with. Have mostly shot the HS-6 load and it's more big push vs fast/snappy recoil of higher velocity loads - should be adequate for your stated use. As I've aged, my ability to control recoil and tolerance thereof has diminished significantly.

Load choice probably depends on what powder is available.

No fun without pics - the rubber grips help make up for deteriorating hand strength



Paul

The HS-6 or H4227 loads will handle anything in the America. Probably the HP38 load as well

Great to hear and figured as much. How you been my friend?

Ive been tinkering with switching to the rubber grips. Mine currently wears white micarta. Beautiful to look at but not great for recoil as we all know

That hs6 load, is that max?

Sorry, I don't know if the HS6 load is max. I personally wouldn't push it. If more velocity desired, I'd go to a slower powder. I've used Hodgdon's online data for the 500 Wyoming Express as a starting point for load development. The 500 WE and 500 JRH are ballistic twins from what I've been told.

FWIW,

Paul

I'm on the same track as you guys, awhile back got a 6" octagon barreled 500 Linebaugh, couldn't find any HS-6, checked powder burn rate charts to see VV N105 is a tad slower burning than HS-6, picked 18 grains and put it under a 440gr Keith bullet, 1094 fps over the chrono, i left it be and loaded 50 sticks of brass, what a rush these big revolvers are, recoil is an amazing big slow roll, fun is what it is, no handgun hunter here, but i cant figure what animal in conus or Alaska will stop a 440gr bullets at 1050-1100 fps.

VV N105 can be another medium power/lower pressure load option in these component strangled times, i've had two cans of that powder for years, nice to stumble on a use for it, also have some 530gr hard cast gas check bullets, going to have to think real hard to find a use for them.

For sure dont want to push it with these loads. Ive done more than enough of that with 110. Just curious how close it is to max. Thank you very much for the info

Let us know how what you decide on and your impressions.

Paul

475L data works fine in 500 JRH

Just ordered a couple pounds of HS6 from brownells. Actually have it in stock. I'll let you guys know my impressions. Thanks again

Ok, I have heard that before but wasnt sure if it was true. Thanks John

Came straight out of the mouth of Mr. JRH himself