Just pick up a barely used 500 S&W Smith X frame. What are some recommended bullets & powders for a light target round to get used to the gun. Also, which scope mounts hold up? My experience up to now has been a SRH 454 Casull. Hoping to start reloading for this after the holidays.

Something like a 1000 to 1100 fps cast load.

Just teasin' ;-)

There is a smidge of irony there tho.

You might wanna give Trail Boss a look. What bullet weight are you thinking?

15.0 grains of HS-6 will get a 440 grain cast moving out at 928fps or you could use 28.0 to 30.0 grains of IMR-4227 with a 440 grain cast, which will zip along between 1,050 and 1,150fps.

I also like HS-6 for 'tweener" loads but haven't tried it in a 500. AA#2 and 5744 are recommended for reduced loads by Western

A5744 is good for reduced loads, but it leaves bits of unburned powder granules in the barrel.

Light target load,hehehehehehehe, check the Lyman pistol and revolver reloading manual, there are some loads in there using Unique powder.

Trailboss.

Tightgroup is another that would work. What weight bullet?

Bullet weight will be determined partly by what is in stock for purchase. I am thinking 350gr cast. I did take my daughter out shooting today. We shot a few Ultramax 325 JHP rounds. Recoil was less than my Ruger SRH 454. Although those Ultramax loads are nowhere near the potential of the 500. This will be a fun gun.