500 Maximum....done

[Lee Martin]

I finally finished my 500 Maximum and tested it this morning:

The load I'm using is 38.0 of AA1680 with a 525 grain WFN. I haven't chronographed it yet, but from what I've been told it should be going 1,300 - 1,350. Approach with caution though because this is close to max.

I only had 50 rounds to work with, but got it sighted and it looks like it wants to shoot. 5-shots at 25 yards off the bench:

I'm still getting used to it so I'm convinced it'll do better. Plus with 30 degree temps this morning I think the shooter didn't live-up to the gun's potential.

 

[Don Lovel]

Perfect recoil tharapy applicator

even hard core recoil junkies should approve

 

[Lefty SRH]

Wow, nice, the cylinder looks like you STRETCHED the heck out of it. What cylinder frame did you start with?

 

[TiteGroups]

525g at 1300fps. has got to get your attention. About 2000ft.lbs of muzzle energy.

 

[Ferdinand]

Nice looking and unique rig. What do you plan to do with it? That's a lot of energy...

 

[Kevin]

Wow I love the u bred cylinder. What a great gun.

 

[Coogs]

Ruger Maximum frame..........looks like serial #600-02400. Thanks Lee!
Beautiful package..........nice job! Coogs.

 

[americal]

Looking mighty fine :!: :!: I still like your gun log 8) perfect place for a custom SA. photo.

 

[flhr62]

Impressive.

 

[Lee Martin]

What do you plan to do with it? That's a lot of energy...

May take a hog with it next fall. Really though, I just enjoy shooting big bore handguns and always wanted a 500 Maximum.

BTW, you can actually get 525's to 1,400 in these guns with compressed charges. 440's can go 1,550. That said, I plan to keep mine 100 fps under max.

 

[Smokngun]

What is the recoil like with that revolver? What is the largest animal it could potentially takedown?

 

[Lee Martin]

Recoil is stout. On paper that gun supposedly has 3.5 times the felt recoil of top-end 44 Magnum. But after 50 rounds off the bench I was no worse for wear. You definitely have to concentrate and hang on tight though because it comes back fast.

On game a 500 Maximum will drop anything. Since its introduction in 1991 the round has taken all of the African Big 5. I haven't penetration tested my 525 yet, but I know 440 grain WFNs at 1,550 fps will cut 50 inches worth of wet newspaper.

 

[Lefty SRH]

Good lord that's Impressive!

 

[gunman42782]

Good lord that's Impressive![/quote

What he said!

 

[Smokngun]

Simply wow! Man what a handcannon. What was it like pulling the trigger the first time.

 

[Lee Martin]

It was a lot of fun, but then again I like big recoil. The thing hits like a ton of bricks on both ends.

 

[Knuckles]

Daaaaaaannnng!!!.................................. that's BIG !

 

[Frank Castle]

WOW!!! My wrist hurts just looking at it!