.500 S&W

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The .500 S&W is a cartridge made by Smith & Wesson for use in revolvers and introduced in February 2003 at the SHOT trade show. Currently only a handful of models have been introduced that fire this massive caliber, including the X-Frame Model 500 revolver from Smith & Wesson, Magnum Research's "BFR" (Biggest, finest revolver), the Taurus Raging Bull and German Janz JTL-E 500. Each holds only five rounds to allow for thicker cylinder walls to accommodate the pressure generated by such a large and powerful cartridge.

It is the most powerful handgun cartridge commercially manufactured.^{[citation needed]}

The .500 Smith & Wesson Magnum can develop over 2,600 foot-pounds (3.5 kJ) of muzzle energy, nearly three times as much as the 900 ft·lb (1.2 kJ) generated by the .44 Magnum made famous by Clint Eastwood in the Dirty Harry movies. This is a difference of over 600 foot-pounds (0.8 kJ) of energy more than the .454 Casull, the previous commercial record holder.

If "power" is to be measured by energy and therefore force and ability to do work, then the .50 falls short of "power" to both the .454 Casull and the .460 S&W. This is because they are only a fraction smaller in diameter (the heavier .45 cal bullets weighing more than lighter .50 bullets) but possess significantly higher muzzle velocities resulting in more foot pounds of energy.^{[citation needed]}

Despite initial concerns about recoil, professionals who have tested the caliber have stated its recoil to be less than the Ruger Redhawk chamber in .454 Casull.^{[citation needed]} This is achieved through design features of the Smith & Wesson Model 500, including a muzzle brake, recoil reducing rubber grips, and considerable weight.

Less than one year after its introduction the firearm had been successfully used to take game animals ranging from white tail deer, to Alaskan Brown bear, to African Elephant.^{[citation needed]} Smith & Wesson offers four large frame revolvers chambered in this caliber, including a Hunter and Performance Center Model.

[edit] Danger

Not all revolvers are suitable for this powerful cartridge. There have been cases with some revolvers, where the cylinder can jump back when holding the weapon with only one hand. One example is the Magnum Research's "BFR" see Video, german source