MAGNUM MAGNUM - Jeffersonian

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frame and cylinder and is designated the
X-Frame. In spite of its great size and
weight the Bone Collector actually balances
quite well and in spite of all the
aesthetic differences when compared to
the traditional classic lines of the Smith
& Wesson .44 Magnum, is also quite
attractive in its own right.
To my eye the 2-toned finish is quite
appealing, with the polished stainless
steel cylinder and slab sides of the barrel
matched up with the black matte finish
of the rest of this “fivegun.” Also the
top rail for scope mounting is not added
on but actually machined as part of the
barrel shroud. It’s definitely a revolver
that shooters will be anxious to share
with others, although it may be hard to
find those among the faint of heart who
actually want to shoot it.
Easy Starting
I’ve had extensive experience
shooting the original Model 500 with
both factory loads and handloads. In
fact there are only two of us I know of
who have published articles with large
amounts of data. The reason is the .500 is
not to be approached lightly and shooting
it extensively takes a lot of energy and
careful attention. It’s definitely manageable
in the hunting field, however
shooting off the bench, especially with
hundreds of rounds, takes its toll very
quickly. When it first came out nearly
10 years ago I was able to shoot all the
loads available. However, shooting so
many big guns of every kind for so many
decades has definitely taken its toll. I am
not faint of heart but I am definitely faint
of hand and wrist.
For testing of this latest .500
Magnum from Smith & Wesson I
approached it from the bottom up. That
is, I loaded up easy-shooting loads, call
them every day working loads, even
fun loads, using Trail Boss powder.
This is probably the simplest powder
for anyone to use as standard procedure
using straight walled cases is simply to
load to the base of the bullet without
compression. These days about 95 percent
of my shooting of really big bore
sixguns, .475 and up, is accomplished
using Trail Boss.
Muzzle velocities, even with the
101/2" barrel Bone Collector are only 850
to 900 fps using 370- and 440-grain bullets.
That is just slightly more than half
of the muzzle velocity accorded by the
full-house .500 S&W loads from Buffalo
Bore. However, they should not be taken
lightly, as a 370- or 440-grain bullet at
muzzle velocities normally associated
with 230-grain .45 ACP hardball are definitely
not in the mouse load category.
They will certainly handle deer and
deer-sized game usefully. For a slightly
more powerful loading I go with the 440
Keith-style bullet over 12.0 grains of
Universal for right at 1,000 fps.
In addition to these handloads I also
a t o m i t r o n x . c o m
Fred Craig’s All New... 22 Micro-Mag TM
150 N. Smart Way, Pahrump NV 89060
$979. 00
• 40 Grainer @ 2050 fps.
• 400 Foot Pounds of Energy!
• 1/3 Recoil of a 45 ACP.
• 19+1 Capacity.
• Forged Slide and Barrel
• Available With 9mm Barrel Kit
• Masterfully Built by Fred Craig
(775) 513-3962
atomitronx@yahoo.com
WE ACCEPT USED GUNS ON TRADE!!!
forensics
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