Ok boy's!!! Wich one, the 500 linebaugh ($2800), the 500 wyo express ($1650), or the 510 gnr ($2000). They all have awesome power and are more unique than the smith 500, so wich would make you tremble with excitement.

Lars

10drenkor, the recoil of the 500 S&W is not bad in a handgun. To me it feels about equal to heavy loads in my .45-70. I do prefer shooting rounds with high recoil in a handgun rather than a rifle. I think with a handgun, your arms dampen the recoil. With a rifle the recoil has nowhere to go but directly into your shoulder. I don't know if thats true, but it makes sense to me.

Ihunter03, of the three choices, I would go with the 500 W.E.

I own 2 FA .500 WE's (1 Field Grade with laminated hardwood grips, and 1 Premier Grade) and have been very pleased with them, taking hogs and bison. I have shot several .500 S&W's, and a .500 Linebaugh. The FA is my choice and recommendation of all that are out there.

FA every time!

I just bought a S&W 500 4" barrel, I love it, I shoot the most powerful ammo I can find here, and have the equip to start reloading..I think personally this is the ultimate in a handgun. I had a TC 15" 500 and it was a whimp..Go with whatever makes you quiver when you see it..happy shooooting..Keep a stiff wrist...ElDee

you left one out, the baddest of them all the 500 Maximum also know as the Linebaugh Long, Reeder builds his own frames for them now so you don't have to worry about finding a Ruger max frame. The guns you have listed are all very close in power with the Linebaugh taking a slight advantage but the WE is a true .500 cal whereas the GNR and the Linebaugh are .511 cal which limits your bullets for reloading. I'm assuming the first is one built by John Linebaugh so all of the guns you have listed are quality guns and it boils down to what your personal preferences are, I personally like custom guns because I know mine are pretty much one of a kind but as you can see the FA's have a strong following as they should because they are a extremely high quality gun. I did read a post someone made a while back questioning the accuracy of a custom compared to FA's and if that's a question look at my bragging board pics of the group I shot with my 475. I guess the bottom line is whether or not the extra dollars are worth it to you for a more personal gun and if the price of the FA is a new gun then it's a field grade so it won't be as "fancy" as either the customs or a premier grade FA.

Eventually you should own each one!!!! What's the fun with only one gun!! LOL<LOL

I have a 500 S&W and it's cool. Of the ones you listed I'd start with the 500 WE in a FA, not sure it makes me tremble with excitement but it's really cool.

Hey I finally found it. Here is a pick of the Big Bores.



50 Action Express
500 Wyoming Express
500 Linebaugh
500 Linebaugh Maximum
500 Smith & Wesson

WHAT??? No love for the 50 Alaskan.....

Ouch !!! What is that round made from.

Lars

My buddy bought a 500 S&W when they first came out. It shot fine w/iron sights but he couldn't get enough elevation w/ a Leupold 2.5-8X to zero it at 50 yards. S&W's answer was to use shims under the base. At those prices you shouldn't have to use shims. He's a devout S&W fan but returned it & went back to his Mod 29. In a revolver go w/the other 2. You get what you pay for & (yes I know I'll take heat for this!) the X frame is ugly.

The 50 Alaskan was originally designed for lever guns. It's a 348 Winchester case blown out to accept .510" bullets. Here is a link to an article on the 50 AK.
50 Alaskan

Here is a comparison of the "big bores"



44 Magnum
445 Super Mag
45 Colt
454 Casull
480 Ruger
475 Linebaugh
50 Action Express
500 Linebaugh
500 Linebaugh Maximum
500 Smith & Wesson
50 Beowulf
50 Alaskan

I had the oppertunity to shoot an Encore in 50AK. The barrel was an OTT with his shark gill break. The break does wonders for recoil. Off the bench it was very accurate.

I bought the warne base from S&W for my 500 and it shot perfect using both a leupold 2.5-8 and 2X. I would guess it was either the wrong base, a defective base or not installed properly because I've never heard of any one having an adjustment problem on the 500 and especially not with a Leupold as they have more vertical adjustment than alot of scopes. I have had problems with bushnells where I had to shim bases.

Hey Tig, one round is missing in the description. Is it the 500S&W?

Thats a nice collection!

pab1 you are right, I missed the 500 when typing up the description, I'll go back and add it.

It was late and I was tired ~ that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Go w/the Linebaugh. He is the one who started all those custom rounds. Rod. We switched bases & rings several times it was a long drawn out process. In the end Bob just tired of it.

Thats definitely strange, but it may have been as simple as a simple machining defect on the part of S&W. That's too bad though mine was a shooter with a scope on it and I'm sure your buddy would have loved it.

Now this is a real 50 Alaskan round.
975 Grain FNGC and a 725 Grain WFNGC .

I shot an assortment of Ricks cast bullets,and I must say his 700 grainers are QUITE IMPRESSIVE.I had complete penetration on 3 school buses tail to nose,an old chevy van,two armored cars,a water buffalo an elk, two horses and a giant red squirrel.....and this was on ONE SHOT..LOL
JIM

You guy's are to funny. Now I'm not sure if I should just go with a good ol' 45 long colt in a black hawk. But can you get one with the solit wheel? I think that looks really cool and maybe a bisley frame as well.

Lars

Bisleys don't have flutes(Is that what you meant?) on the cylinder. It'll sure do 95% of what your likely to encounter. Infinite custom options as well. I hunt w/one myself.

No arguements there, I use one myself from time to time.