My .500 S+W Handi project took another step forward today. I cut the barrel down from the original 22" to 16.5". Overall length is now 32"! Still 6" over federal minimum. I still need to finish up the replacement stock, but here's some photos with the barrel cut down and the original stock.
Don

Hey BB...kinda looks a little odd to me...but that is probably because of the stock...I'll reserve judgement till I see the finished product mate.

Cheers, Vince

Wow that thing must have hit like a brick!!
Must be great in the bush chasing pigs and sort.

That's awesome I was thinking of doing the exact same thing to a siamese mauser in that cartridge or the .460 S&W. Now I'm sold on the .411 bullet dia. a la .405ish

earmuffs are a must with something that short. I had a 12ga about the same length still shot fine but man was it hard on the ears. looks like a fine bush rifle good luck with the project.

hOg WhOmPeR !!!....

Now I wan't one. Thanks. A lot.

First time to the range with this .500 S&W Handi rifle and the results were disappointing. Not the fault of my handloads or the rifle, but the scope mount kept shooting loose. I have some Locktite, but I'm hesitant to use it on this cheap scope mount so I ordered a new DedNutz scope mount from Game Reaper. I should have done this to begin with and saved some trouble. I was using 440gr. Cast Performance Bullets over 35.0gr. of LilGun powder. This is a top load for this bullet and should be pushing it somewhere between 1800 and 1900 FPS with about 3100+ ft. lbs. of energy. I think I fired about 8 rounds and from the bench it is a hammer on both ends of the rifle.
Once the new scope mount comes in I'll give it another try at the range.
Don

I'll go ahead and recommend the LimbSaver recoil pad!

Pumpkinslinger wrote:

I'll go ahead and recommend the LimbSaver recoil pad!

Mike,
I think that's a real good idea. When I first got this rifle I was surprised by how nice the recoil pad looked compared to the Handis in the past. Looks can be deceiving! LOL!! Ouch!!
Don

Don, I tried the LimbSavers on an Encore .50 ML and a Marlin Guide Gun .45-70 and I think it made a BIG difference. The "prefit" wasn't perfect but they sure felt better.

I have one on my Marlin 1895SDT and it works great. I looked and haven't been able to find a pre-fit for the Handi so I may have to go the grind and fit route or maybe a lace on or even a slip on pad. At this point I'm just praying this isn't one of those barrels that takes 100 rounds to break in. LOL!!
Don
I looked at Limbsaver's website and they do sell a pre-fit for the Handi, #10018. Now I just have to find someone that lists it for sale or try buying direct.
Don

After having the Ironsighter scope base shoot loose a few times at the range, I had ordered DedNutz scope mount. Well the DedNutz mount should be delivered by Thursday for my .500 Handi so I thought I'd take the Ironsighter mount off and wax the barrel and action to keep it free from rust. After removing the fore arm and barrel, I removed the Leupold 3X scope from the Weaver 4X4 rings and they had held the scope nice and tight. The problem is the Ironsighter base came loose. The base screws were however tight, just the sight base was loose. Now I'm scratching my head because this is a new one on me. The only thing I could come up with was that either the screws were too long or the screw holes aren't cut deep enough, but the strange thing is that the mount was tight when I mounted it and I had re-tightened it after the first time it came loose. I tried to tighten the base down again just for the heck of it and no dice. I looked and there was no evidence of wear on the screws, in the mounting holes or on the bottom of the base. Nothing I can see that would account for this.
I guess I better pay real close attention when I mount the DedNutz scope mount.
Don

Blue: any updates? I'm interested in the project 'hog whomper'....I llllike it!

Pumpkinslinger wrote:

I'll go ahead and recommend the LimbSaver recoil pad!

They are on all my hard kicking rifles and shotguns. Really tames the wallop!

BigBlue wrote:

The problem is the Ironsighter base came loose.

For one that kicks that much, you may be advised to bond/glue the base to your rifle. You can do that with bedding compond or find out what XS uses for their scope mounts.