The 700 grain 500 magnum ranks among the most powerful handgun rounds you’ll find anywhere. It packs an incredible 2239 foot-pounds of muzzle energy at 1200 feet per second. This beast of a cartridge works exceptionally well when hunting large game like wild hogs and black bears, thanks to its penetration-focused design.
My experience shows this ammo’s special “Black Cherry” coating helps with heat management and cuts down on lead buildup. The price tag sits at $3.89 per round. The recoil sets this round apart from anything else – it hits so hard that shooters often feel the impact several days after pulling the trigger.
Let’s dive into every aspect of this remarkable ammunition. We’ll cover its unique build and real-world uses that make it the heaviest load available for the .500 S&W Magnum platform.
The Evolution of the 500 S&W Magnum Cartridge
The 500 S&W Magnum stands as one of the most remarkable developments in handgun history. This behemoth broke away from previous magnum cartridges with a clear goal – S&W wanted their title back as the maker of the world’s most powerful handgun.
Origin story of the caliber
S&W Product Manager Herb Belin came up with a bold idea in early 2002. He wanted to create a revolver that could handle the most powerful repeating handgun cartridge ever made. S&W President Bob Scott gave the green light, and Belin put together the “X-Gun” engineering team. They partnered with Cor-Bon, picking them because they were known to expand cartridge possibilities.
The team moved fast. They revealed the Model 500 revolver in 500 S&W Magnum at the 2003 Orlando SHOT Show, just 11 months after the project started. The achievement became even more impressive because they built the cartridge from scratch instead of using an existing design.
The 500 S&W Magnum had specific requirements: a .50 caliber bullet (.500″ exactly to avoid being labeled a destructive device), a semi-rimmed case 1.625″ long, and a maximum design pressure of 60,000 psi. The cartridge’s unique feature was its headspace on the case mouth instead of the rim. This design choice later helped with feeding in lever-action rifles.
Cor-Bon launched three loads: a 275-grain bullet at 1,665 fps, a 400-grain bullet at 1,676 fps, and a 440-grain bullet at 1,625 fps. The last one generated 2,578 ft-lbs of energy. The 500 S&W Magnum proved 34% more powerful than anything else available, making it the undisputed champion of handgun cartridges.
How the 700 grain bullet came to exist
The original factory loads impressed everyone, but shooters wanted more power. The .500 S&W Magnum reached its full potential as manufacturers developed heavier bullets, especially those over 500 grains. These heavy projectiles gave hunters the penetration they needed for the largest game animals.
The 700 grain 500 magnum round emerged as the heaviest commercially available bullet for this platform. Companies like Underwood Ammo make these massive projectiles. Shooters nicknamed them “The Forbidden Lipstick” because of their distinctive red coating.
These 700 grain bullets still reach impressive speeds around 1,200 fps. The recoil hits substantially harder than standard 500 S&W loads. One shooter explained, “It’s hard to describe the amount of recoil felt when the 700 grain Underwood Ammo cartridge is fired… the 700gr Underwood Ammo load packs a lot more punch”. Many shooters report sore hands that last for days after firing these rounds.
Market demand for extreme power
Hunters drove the development of more powerful loads. They needed a handgun that could take down any game animal on Earth. S&W marketed the Model 500 as “A Hunting Handgun For Any Game Animal Walking”. The cartridge proved its worth against everything from whitetail deer to elephant and African buffalo.
The global firearms market sits at USD 9.9 billion in 2024 and grows at 4.7% CAGR. Handguns make up USD 3.6 billion of this market. These numbers show growing interest in specialized firearms for both tactical and sporting uses.
The 700 grain 500 magnum attracts hunters who chase dangerous game and need deep penetration. These ultra-heavy bullets work better against thick-skinned animals where smaller calibers might fail.
Gun enthusiasts also love this cartridge because it represents the most powerful commercial handgun round available. Despite the strong recoil and high cost, people want to experience something that expands what’s possible in a handgun platform.
Understanding Bullet Construction: The Black Cherry Coating
The 700 grain 500 magnum’s legendary performance comes from an innovative coating technology that makes it stand out from regular ammunition. The “Black Cherry” coating shows off a deep red hue and marks a big step forward in bullet engineering that helps this round perform exceptionally well.
Polymer-based compound benefits
The Black Cherry coating wraps the entire lead projectile in a polymer-based compound. This special formula creates a protective shell with several advantages over traditional bullet designs. The coating acts as a self-lubricant that cuts down friction between the bullet and bore.
This reduced friction lets the bullet reach higher velocities without the usual problems you’d see with lead bullets. You won’t need the usual wax lubes that create smoke, mess up reloading equipment, and leave residue in your firearms.
The polymer compound’s mechanical and tensile strength are impressive. These features help the coating stay intact during firing, which creates a more reliable projectile. Shooters using the 700 grain 500 magnum get more predictable performance—this is vital when you’re handling such a powerful round.
The Black Cherry coating helps reloaders too. The coating stays put and doesn’t come off on your hands, which means less lead exposure—a real concern if you reload often.
Lead fouling prevention
The Black Cherry coating’s best feature might be how well it stops lead fouling. The coating creates a complete barrier between the lead core and your firearm’s bore, so lead never touches the barrel.
Regular lead bullets leave residue that builds up in the barrel. This buildup hurts barrel life and accuracy. Cleaning out lead fouling takes time and special solvents and tools—nobody wants to deal with that after shooting a lot of rounds.
The Black Cherry coating fixes this by keeping lead from touching the barrel at all. Your barrel stays cleaner and needs less maintenance. You can fire more rounds before fouling starts to affect your accuracy.
The coating’s lead fouling prevention lets you achieve higher velocities without the usual lead fouling issues. This technology makes it possible to maintain optimal velocity with the 700 grain 500 magnum’s massive bullet weight.
Heat resistance properties
The 700 grain 500 magnum creates extreme pressures and temperatures that demand exceptional heat resistance from bullet coatings. The Black Cherry coating handles this challenge with excellent thermal stability.
Some polymer coatings melt at high velocities (around 2000 feet per second), but the Black Cherry formula is built to handle the intense heat from magnum loads. This thermal stability keeps the coating intact throughout firing.
The coating resists “gas cutting”—where high-pressure gasses erode bullet surfaces during firing. It also protects against weather and chemical breakdown that could hurt ammunition performance over time.
These heat resistance properties are essential for a cartridge that generates the extreme pressures of the 700 grain 500 magnum. The Black Cherry coating’s ability to work under demanding conditions helps the bullet perform consistently.
This means your 700 grain 500 magnum keeps its ballistic properties even in the toughest firing conditions—something hunters and shooters need when they rely on this powerful round for special uses.
Ballistic Science: What Happens When You Fire a 700 Grain Bullet
A 700 grain 500 magnum round creates quite a show once it leaves the barrel. This massive projectile weighs almost twice as much as regular hunting bullets, and its effects on target make more sense through ballistic science.
Terminal ballistics explained
Terminal ballistics looks at what happens when bullets hit their targets. They create two types of wound channels – permanent and temporary. The permanent channel is the actual path the bullet cuts through tissue. The temporary cavity shows how surrounding tissues stretch for a moment. The 700 grain 500 magnum takes these effects to another level.
These bullets come with a hard cast flat nose design that serves a specific purpose. Unlike expanding bullets that change shape on impact, these bullets stay intact. They focus tremendous force into one consistent area. The flat nose helps the bullet stay pointed forward as it moves through dense tissue, which creates a wider permanent wound channel than round-nosed bullets.
The damage comes from stress, not just energy. The bullet’s massive frontal area puts tremendous pressure across a wider surface. This stress pushes tissue beyond what it can handle, which leads to catastrophic failure along the bullet’s path.
Penetration capabilities
The 700 grain 500 magnum really stands out when it comes to penetration. The bullet achieves this through its exceptional sectional density (SD) of 0.4. Sectional density relates to how well a bullet can penetrate – it’s the ratio between an object’s mass and its cross-sectional area. The math is simple: higher SD means better penetration.
Field tests show impressive results. These massive bullets went about 10.5 inches into solid wood logs during destructive testing. They couldn’t go all the way through a 14-inch log, but they matched lighter 440 grain loads in penetration tests.
Hunters love these bullets because they keep moving through barriers. The experts say the 700 grain bullet penetrates about the same as a heavy 1.5-ounce shotgun slug. This means:
- Exceptional barrier penetration (hide, bone, cartilage)
- Consistent, straight-line travel through tissue
- Deep penetration necessary for vital organ hits on large game
Lighter bullets might bounce off or flip when they hit bone. The 700 grain bullet’s mass helps it push straight through obstacles and stay on course toward vital organs.
Energy transfer mechanics
The energy mechanics of the 700 grain 500 magnum are the sort of thing I love. At 1200 fps, it packs 2239 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. This is a big deal as it means that it outperforms many rifle cartridges and comes close to a 12-gage shotgun slug’s power.
All the same, energy tells just part of the story. Dr. Martin Fackler and the International Wound Ballistics Association say optimal terminal performance needs 12.5-14 inches of penetration in tissue simulant. The FBI suggests 12-18 inches.
The 700 grain 500 magnum bullet hits these penetration marks while creating a substantial permanent wound channel thanks to its wide flat nose design. It doesn’t need to expand like hollow points – the bullet’s frontal diameter is already more than half an inch.
The bullet crushes its path through tissue instead of cutting it. Since it keeps almost all its mass throughout its journey, it delivers energy along its entire path rather than all at once.
This combination of energy and penetration gives hunters a vital advantage with dangerous game. The bullet hits hard enough to reach vital organs and creates a wound channel big enough to stop a charging animal fast – exactly what you need when your safety depends on immediate results.
Firearm Engineering Challenges with Ultra-Heavy Bullets
The engineering challenges of building a firearm that can handle 700 grain 500 magnum rounds are immense. These ultra-heavy bullets push the boundaries of what’s possible with metal and mechanical design. The pressures and forces these rounds generate mean every part must meet exact standards.
Cylinder strength requirements
Any revolver that fires 700 grain 500 magnum rounds needs a cylinder that can handle extreme pressure spikes. Manufacturers make the cylinder walls thicker to deal with this. Smith & Wesson Model 500 revolvers use five-round cylinders instead of six. This allows for thicker walls that can contain these pressure levels.
These cylinders exceed basic requirements by a wide margin. S&W’s 500 Magnum cylinders can handle 50% more pressure than needed. They test each one at 20% over pressure regularly. This extra strength becomes essential during firing.
The cylinder faces multiple forces at once when the gun fires. The hammer hits the primer and pushes the cylinder forward slightly because of momentum and end shake – the tiny gap that lets the cylinder turn. The bullet then drags against the cylinder walls as it moves, keeping this forward pressure until it reaches the barrel.
Heavy 700 grain bullets make this even more important. Higher pressures combined with heavier bullets put much more stress on cylinder parts. Shooting these rounds repeatedly can damage ratchets and the center pin hole in the breech face.
Frame stress factors
The frame faces equally tough challenges with 700 grain 500 magnum rounds. The top strap – which connects the barrel to the cylinder – stretches dramatically during firing.
Metal experts have found that about 80% of mechanical failures in firearms happen because of fatigue. These breaks don’t usually happen from one shot being too powerful. They occur because the metal stretches too many times over its life. Metal can only flex so much before it hardens and cracks.
Three main factors lead to fatigue failure in guns shooting ultra-heavy bullets:
- Maximum tensile stress of sufficiently high value
- Large fluctuations in applied stress
- Sufficient number of cycles of applied stress
Manufacturers use specific design features to reduce these risks. Quality revolvers use forged frames instead of cast ones when possible. Forging lines up the metal grain to increase strength while allowing smaller, lighter parts that last just as long.
The choice of metal plays a vital role. Top manufacturers like Beretta (which makes Uberti revolvers) carefully pick materials during design and watch every machining step closely to prevent fatigue failures.
Barrel considerations for optimal performance
Guns chambered in 500 S&W Magnum shooting 700 grain bullets need special barrel engineering. The rifling twist rate comes first on this list. Standard rifling twists don’t work well enough to stabilize these ultra-heavy bullets.
Just like other calibers, bullets heavier than normal need faster rifling twist to stay stable. Bullets that aren’t properly stabilized become less accurate and potentially unsafe.
The forcing cone – where bullets move from cylinder to barrel – takes lots of stress. Older K-Frame Magnums often had cracked forcing cones that hurt accuracy and could lead to frame failure.
The barrel’s material and heat treatment affect how long it lasts. Heat and pressure from 700 grain 500 magnum rounds wear barrels faster, especially with lots of shooting.
Barrel length changes how these massive bullets perform. These guns come in different lengths (4″ to 8.375″), but shorter barrels create extra challenges with 700 grain loads. Underwood Ammo suggests “For those brave enough to fire them in a barrel 4″ or shorter, we recommend only putting one or two in the cylinder at time”. This helps because heavy recoil in smaller guns can loosen even tight crimps on unfired rounds waiting in the cylinder.
Comparing 700 Grain to Other 500 Magnum Loads
The 700 grain 500 magnum shows its unique position in the ballistic spectrum when we match it against other common loads. The .500 S&W Magnum’s rise has seen bullet weights change dramatically—from light 210-grain defensive loads to the massive 700-grain hunting projectiles we’re talking about here.
Velocity differences across weight classes
The 500 Magnum shows a predictable pattern between bullet weight and velocity: heavier bullets move slower. Here are some typical loads across weight classes:
- 275-grain Barnes XPB: 1665-1990 fps
- 300-grain Hornady FTX: 2075 fps
- 350-grain XTP HP: 1900-1912 fps
- 400-grain JSP: 1625-1675 fps
- 440-grain hard cast: 1625 fps[262]
- 500-grain FP: 1425-1500 fps
- 700-grain WFN: 1200 fps
This data shows why the 700 grain load takes a different ballistic approach. Many shooters think the 700 grain load must pack the biggest punch just because it’s heavier. The numbers tell a different story when you look at velocity alone.
Energy comparison chart
Muzzle energy paints a better picture and shows how bullet mass makes up for slower speeds:
| Bullet Weight | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy |
|---|---|---|
| 275 grain | 1665-1990 fps | 1688-2419 ft-lbs |
| 300 grain | 2075 fps | 2868 ft-lbs |
| 350 grain | 1900 fps | 2805 ft-lbs |
| 400 grain | 1625 fps | 2346 ft-lbs |
| 440 grain | 1625 fps | 2579 ft-lbs |
| 500 grain | 1500 fps | 2499 ft-lbs |
| 700 grain | 1200 fps | 2239 ft-lbs |
The 700 grain load creates less muzzle energy than 300 or 350 grain loads with their higher speeds. Raw energy numbers don’t tell the whole story about real-world performance.
Trajectory variations
Heavy bullets drop more at distance. The 700 grain bullet’s sectional density of 0.4 helps it keep momentum well but follows a more curved path than lighter bullets.
Hunters shooting beyond 50 yards will notice this trajectory difference more. A 275-grain bullet drops 2-3 inches less at 100 yards than its 700 grain counterpart. Most hunters use the 700 grain 500 magnum at closer ranges where this drop isn’t a big issue.
Ballistic coefficient differs from sectional density and affects trajectory too. Heavier bullets usually have better ballistic coefficients that help them keep speed after leaving the barrel. The 700 grain bullet’s slower start means mid-weight bullets still shoot flatter at longer ranges.
The 700 grain 500 magnum load works like a heavy 1.5 oz shotgun slug. We designed it for straight-line penetration instead of speed-dependent expansion. It moves at “only” 1200 fps but packs enough momentum to do the job.
This 700 grain load stands as a unique tool in the 500 Magnum family. It might not top the charts in conventional power metrics, but nothing matches its deep, consistent penetration through heavy bone and tissue.
The Physics of Recoil: Why the 700 Grain 500 Magnum Hits So Hard
The 700 grain 500 magnum creates a recoil that shooters describe as “unlike anything experienced before.” The physics behind this extreme recoil explains why it hits your hand with such memorable force.
Newton’s Third Law in action
The 700 grain 500 magnum’s brutal recoil shows Newton’s third law of motion at work: for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction. The expanding gasses from burning powder create over 35,000 psi of pressure that drives the massive 700 grain bullet forward. Your hand feels this exact same force pushing backward.
The momentum equation makes this round especially punishing. The bullet and gun experience equal force, yet the bullet’s lower mass causes it to accelerate faster. The 700 grain bullet weighs more than lighter rounds, which transfers more momentum to your hand.
Recoil energy calculation
Recoil energy measured in foot-pounds tells us how much “kick” you feel. Three main elements create recoil energy:
- The bullet’s acceleration in the barrel
- The powder gasses’ acceleration in the barrel
- The “jet effect” of gasses exiting the muzzle
These elements combine to produce 67 ft-lbs of recoil energy in the 700 grain 500 magnum load. A typical 12-gage shotgun produces around 38 ft-lbs.
The formula shows why this round hits hard:
- Heavier bullets increase recoil force
- Greater powder charges increase gas momentum
- Lighter guns magnify perceived recoil
Muzzle rise factors
The 700 grain 500 magnum creates substantial muzzle rise through rotational momentum. This happens because the bore axis sits much higher than your grip point.
The recoil force creates torque around your hand’s center of mass. This torque shows up as that distinctive upward muzzle flip. High-speed video captures a visible shockwave moving up shooters’ arms at the time of firing.
Real-life experience tells a different story than ballistic calculations suggest. A shooter noted, “The 700 grain load actually felt about the same as the 440 grain load! What was really different was the ‘push'”. This “push” relates to linear momentum – the 700 grain bullet’s huge mass creates a strong rearward momentum that lasts longer than the sharp recoil from faster, lighter bullets.
Specialized Equipment Needs for 700 Grain Shooters
The 700 grain 500 magnum packs serious power and you need the right equipment to handle its fierce recoil and stay safe. Without proper gear, this beast can turn your shooting session into a painful experience or worse – cause injury.
Grip enhancements that work
You’ll need serious grip improvements to control the massive recoil of a 700 grain 500 magnum. Shooting gloves with padded palms help reduce felt recoil, particularly with these powerful handguns. Caldwell’s Ultimate Shooters Glove comes with padded palms that absorb recoil while its elastic backing lets you maintain dexterity.
The patent-pending double-handed revolver grip for S&W X-Frame revolvers gives you better stability and recoil control. Many seasoned shooters also like fingerless weightlifting gloves with padded palms. These gloves cushion the recoil and protect your hand’s sensitive web area from blisters.
Recoil-reducing accessories
The right accessories can help tame this punishing recoil. Quality recoil pads can reduce felt recoil by up to 70% on most firearms. KICK-EEZ pads use Sorbothane material to absorb shock, which means less flinching and shoulder pain.
Adjustable recoil-reduction mechanisms let you customize your settings for extreme recoil management. Some aftermarket stocks come with three-setting adjustable mechanisms that cut felt recoil by up to 50% across different calibers.
Underwood Ammo, who makes the 700 grain load, suggests loading just one or two rounds in shorter-barreled revolvers. The recoil can loosen crimps in unfired cartridges.
Eye and ear protection considerations
The 700 grain 500 magnum roars like thunder, so you need top-notch protection. You should use double hearing protection – both plugs and earmuffs. The AXIL TRACKR Electronic Ear Muffs protect your hearing while letting you hold normal conversations.
Your eyes need just as much protection. The huge muzzle blast and potential gas leakage from cylinder gaps mean you need full eye coverage. Good eye protection also keeps debris and powder particles from distracting you at crucial moments.
Quality protection with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of at least 30dB is crucial for rounds this powerful.
Loading Data and Handloading Considerations
Loading your own 700 grain 500 magnum ammo needs exact techniques and specialized knowledge. Safety and performance depend on your understanding of each component’s science if you’re brave enough to create ammo for this massive cartridge.
Powder selection science
The right powder choice makes or breaks 700 grain loads. Hodgdon’s H-110 leads as the most popular choice, with data showing 24.0 grains to start (25.0 grains maximum). This powder teams up well with these massive bullets and delivers velocities around 1200 fps consistently.
Hodgdon’s Lil Gun gives excellent results if you want full-power loads. This modified ball powder was first made for 410 shotgun shells. It flows smoothly through measures and works great with large magnum cartridges.
Trail Boss powder offers a great solution to reduce recoil. This light, fluffy powder looks like “small gray doughnuts” and fills the case safely up to the seated bullet’s base without too much pressure. You’ll get manageable recoil even with the heavy 700 grain bullet.
Pressure management techniques
Safe load development needs methodical testing. Expert reloaders suggest starting with chronograph testing at lower charges. They gradually increase while looking for pressure signs. Watch out for flattened primers, cratered primers, and tough bolt lift in lever guns.
It’s worth mentioning that you should never underload any powder by more than 10% below the starting load for a given bullet weight. This safety issue might surprise you – very low powder charges can create dangerous pressure spikes instead of reducing pressure.
These massive 700 grain bullets take up almost all available case capacity. You need to develop loads carefully with the right powder charges.
Crimp requirements for reliable feeding
The proper crimp might be the most crucial part of loading 700 grain 500 magnum rounds. Bullets can move forward in unfired rounds waiting in the cylinder from extreme recoil if they’re not crimped well enough.
You absolutely need a heavy roll crimp into the cannelure to keep bullets in place. Many sources stress this point. One reloader’s bullets came loose and jammed his revolver before he started crimping deeper.
The Lee Factory Crimp Die (p/n 90931) or similar tools from Redding or RCBS give you the crimp strength you need. On top of that, many handloaders like to seat and crimp separately rather than doing both in one die station. This works better with these massive projectiles.
Conclusion
The 700 grain 500 magnum shows evidence of what handgun cartridges can achieve. My extensive research and hands-on experience proves this massive round is the sort of thing I love yet challenging. Lighter bullets might show higher velocities and energy figures on paper, but the 700 grain projectile’s deep penetration and momentum transfer makes it work perfectly for specific hunting applications.
Of course, you just need proper preparation to shoot these rounds. Quality protective gear, specialized equipment, and careful technique become vital, not optional. The Black Cherry coating technology helps handle some inherent challenges, though firing such a massive projectile still creates memorable recoil.
Firearms capable of handling these loads showcase state-of-the-art engineering. Manufacturers have solved complex challenges through careful material choices, specialized design features, and thorough testing protocols. Anyone who wants to think over the 700 grain 500 magnum should know its capabilities and limits well.
Handloaders must pay close attention to detail, especially when you have powder selection and crimping requirements. Success comes when you follow proven load data and avoid experimenting. The payoff? Custom ammunition that fits your specific needs, though you must always respect the tremendous forces at work.
Serious hunters seeking maximum penetration or enthusiasts who appreciate handgun technology’s limits will find that the 700 grain 500 Magnum gives an exceptional shooting experience. Note that this cartridge demands respect, proper preparation, and acceptance that sometimes, bigger truly is better.
FAQs
Q1. What makes the 700 grain 500 Magnum unique? The 700 grain 500 Magnum is one of the most powerful handgun rounds available, delivering exceptional penetration and momentum. Its massive 700 grain bullet provides deep penetration capabilities, making it particularly effective for hunting large, dangerous game.
Q2. How does the recoil of the 700 grain 500 Magnum compare to other loads? The recoil of the 700 grain 500 Magnum is significantly more intense than standard loads. Many shooters report feeling the effects for days after firing. Proper technique and specialized equipment are essential for managing the extreme recoil.
Q3. What is the “Black Cherry” coating on the 700 grain bullet? The “Black Cherry” coating is a polymer-based compound that encapsulates the bullet. It provides benefits like reduced lead fouling, improved thermal stability, and enhanced ballistic performance. This coating helps maintain the bullet’s integrity during firing.
Q4. Are there practical applications for the 700 grain 500 Magnum? While primarily used for specialized hunting situations, the 700 grain 500 Magnum is particularly effective against large, thick-skinned game like Cape buffalo. Its deep penetration capabilities make it suitable for dangerous game hunting where stopping power is crucial.
Q5. What considerations should be made when handloading 700 grain 500 Magnum rounds? Handloading 700 grain 500 Magnum rounds requires careful attention to powder selection, pressure management, and crimping techniques. Due to the bullet’s massive size, case capacity becomes a critical factor. A heavy roll crimp is essential to prevent bullet movement under recoil.