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About 500 S&W Ammunition

The .500 S&W Magnum, developed by Smith & Wesson and introduced in 2003, is considered one of the most powerful production handgun cartridges in the world. The round was specifically designed to provide handgun enthusiasts with an extremely high-energy cartridge for big game hunting and other specialized applications.

Types of 500 S&W Loadings

• Semi Jacketed Soft Point (SJSP): Loadings of this type are often simply called JSP, or jacketed soft point loadings. These types of loadings feature projectiles with jacketing which does not fully cover the entire bullet. Typically, these loadings have flat or round nose projectiles which extend beyond the jacketing of the bullet. These loadings tend to make for good general-purpose ammunition.
• Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): Like the name suggests, these types of loadings feature projectiles which are adorned with metal jacketing. This jacket is generally made of copper and will cover the tip and sides of the projectile. Typically, the base of the projectile is left uncoated.These types of loadings are well-suited for range use and are some of the most common types of ammo one will encounter.
• Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP): JHP loadings feature hollow point projectiles which are adorned with a full metal jacket. These loadings are generally found in the form of defensive ammo offerings and are designed to facilitate reliable expansion upon impact. Additionally, these types of loadings are designed to achieve adequate levels of penetration for defensive purposes while not over penetrating the target and risking collateral damage. A good hollow point loading is one that achieves an appropriate level of penetration while expanding reliably upon impact within the target.

Firearms that Use 500 S&W Ammo

The primary platform for .500 S&W is the Smith & Wesson Model 500 revolver, a large-frame handgun designed to handle the immense power of this cartridge. Additionally, other manufacturers have produced both revolvers and even lever action rifles in this caliber, providing shooters with more offerings to consider.