Last reviewed: 2026-04-17 by Jake Terry, FFL07/SOT3, NRA-certified firearms instructor.
For hunters working 500 S&W Magnum ammo in the backcountry, the Buffalo Bore 500 grain hard cast flat nose gas check load delivers maximum SAAMI pressure and straight-line penetration. This round exits the muzzle at 1425 feet per second, carrying 2254 foot-pounds of energy — figures that put it at the top of the revolving-handgun power curve. The 500 grain hard cast bullet features a flat nose profile and gas check base, shedding lead fouling while maintaining momentum through bone and heavy tissue. Buffalo Bore loads to SAAMI specifications using modern firearms as the baseline; older or weaker revolvers are not rated for these pressure levels.
Built for the Hunt
Buffalo Bore chambers this round in new brass cases with Boxer primers, enabling handloaders to reload the once-fired hulls. The hard cast lead bullet is non-expanding by design — it punches a full-diameter wound channel from entry to exit, relying on weight retention and sectional density rather than fragmentation. The gas check crimped to the base reduces barrel fouling under magnum pressure, keeping accuracy consistent across a 20-round string. Intended use is large game hunting at ranges inside 100 yards, where the flat trajectory window of the 500 S&W platform remains viable.
Performance at a Glance
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 500 S&W Magnum |
| Bullet weight | 500 grains |
| Bullet type | Hard cast lead flat nose gas check |
| Muzzle velocity | 1425 fps |
| Muzzle energy | 2254 ft-lbs |
| Rounds/box | 20 |
| Case | Brass |
| Primer | Boxer |
| Corrosive | No |
| Reloadable | Yes |
| Intended use | Hunting |
| Manufacturer | Buffalo Bore |
This load ships in 20-round boxes and is manufactured in the United States. Verify that your revolver is chambered for 500 S&W Magnum and rated for maximum-pressure ammunition before ordering. Additional 500 S&W ammo options are available for different hunting and practice applications.
Safe Handling & Compliance
Federal law requires purchasers to be at least 18 years old for rifle and shotgun ammunition, and at least 21 for handgun ammunition. Ammunition cannot be shipped to certain states, counties, and cities — review our ammunition shipping restrictions before ordering. Store ammunition in a cool, dry location away from heat sources and out of reach of unauthorized users.
- Follow the four universal rules of firearms safety at all times.
- Verify current federal, state, and local laws governing ammunition possession and use in your jurisdiction.
- This load is rated for modern firearms only; do not use in older or weaker revolvers not certified for maximum SAAMI pressure. This product contains lead, a substance known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
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