With the revolver weighing just over three pounds, a 440-grain bullet driven to 1,250 fps results in significant recoil. This is not a gun for the recoil sensitive and is best left to experienced bigbore revolver shooters, unless reduced or light loads are used. Uncle Mike's leather shooting gloves were used on the long sessions, which really helped take the edge off felt recoil.

The author fired more than 600 rounds in the Model 83 and found it to function flawlessly.

After initial sight-in, accuracy testing was accomplished at 25 yards. As long as I could do my part (no flinching!), groups often went under one inch with most factory loads as well as several handloads containing both cast and jacketed bullets. With factory ammunition the best four-shot groups came from the 440-grain cast driven to 1,267 fps that went .85 inch center to center. In handloads the 350-grain Hornady XTP/MAG driven with 32 grains of Hodgdon H110 powder at 1,531 fps clustered four shots into .70 inch.

Throughout the many shooting sessions, firing more than 600 rounds, the Freedom Arms .500 WE functioned flawlessly and there were no problems related to the cartridge design.

Handloading the .500 Wyoming Express
Before sitting down at the loading bench, there are a few things handloaders should be aware of to assure safety and success. As previously stated, the .500 WE utilizes the same bullets used for the .500 Smith & Wesson Magnum that measure .500 inch; however, the nose length cannot exceed .395 inch, and overall cartridge length cannot exceed 1.765 inches. Maximum case length is 1.370 inches, while trim-to length is 1.365 inches.

The front-sight blade is easily interchanged by removing a small Hex screw.

In developing the accompanying data using the Sierra 400-grain JSP, the overall length exceeded the above maximum, so cases were trimmed to 1.355 inches and bullets were seated to the upper edge of the cannelure and a heavy crimp applied. Loaded in this fashion, the Sierra bullet worked without a hitch.

WARNING: The loads shown here are safe only in the guns for which they were developed. Neither the author nor Primedia assumes any liability for accidents or injury resulting from the use or misuse of this data. Shooting reloads may void any warranty on your firearm.

.500 WYOMING EXPRESS FACTORY AMMO PERFORMANCE
LOAD	ADVERTISED VELOCITY (fps)	ACTUAL VELOCITY (fps)	COMMENTS
370-gr. WFNGC	1,300	1,402	Extreme spread, 9 fps
400-gr. WFNGC	1,250	1,244	-
440-gr. WFNGC	1,200	1,267	Most accurate factory load
370-gr. WFNGC (midrange)	950	976	Lowest recoil load
400-gr. WFNGC (midrange)	950	977	-
440-gr. WFNGC (midrange)	950	965	Excellent reduced load
400-gr. Bonded Core FP	1,250	1,261	-
420-gr. Belt Mtn Solid	1,250	1,278	Large/Dangerous game
.500 WYOMING EXPRESS HANDLOAD PERFORMANCE
BULLET	POWDER/GRAINS	VELOCITY (fps)	COMMENTS
350-gr. Hornady XTP/Mag	Unique/11.0	947	-
350-gr. Hornady XTP/Mag	Lil' Gun/29.0	1,348	-
250-gr. Hornady XTP/Mag	H110/32.0	1,531	Top accuracy
400-gr. Sierra JSP	Lil' Gun/31.0	1,123	-
400-gr. Sierra JSP	H110/34.0	1,446	-
370-gr. Cast Perfect WFNGC	Unique/10.0	889	Lowest recoil load
370-gr. Cast Perfect WFNGC	TiteGroup/12.0	1,140	-
370-gr. Cast Perfect WFNGC	Lil' Gun/31.0	1,443	-
370-gr. Cast Perfect WFNGC	H110/35.0	1,588	-
440-gr. Cast Perfect WFNGC	Unique.10.0	890	-
440-gr. Cast Perfect WFNGC	2400/24.0	1,271	-
440-gr. Cast Perfect WFNGC	Lil' Gun/28.0	1,435	-
440-gr. Cast Perfect WFNGC	H110/27.0	1,223	-
440-gr. Cast Perfect WFNGC	H110/29.5	1,380	MAXIMUM
CASE: Jamison; BULLET DIAMETER: .500 inch; MAXIMUM CASE LENGTH: 1.370 inches; TRIM-TO LENGTH: 1.365 inches; MAXIMUM CARTRIDGE LENGTH: 1.765 inches; PRIMER: Large Rifle (Winchester Lr); FIREARM: Freedom Arms Model 83; BARREL LENGTH: 7 1/2 inches; DISTANCE: 25 yards

The overall case length has a tendency to shorten, as much as .020 inch, with multiple reloadings. Freedom Arms states that cases are strong and life expectancy is long. However, after many heavy loads the belt tends to expand about .004 inch and then will not allow proper chambering, at which time cases should be discarded.

Cases should be full-length re-sized; however, to prevent damage to the belt, the sizer die should not contact the belt. The case should only be sized to within .100 inch of the belt.

Being that it is a proprietary cartridge, there are no established pressure standards. The Grizzly Cartridge Company loads are held to around 35,000 psi, and frankly, there is no real need to exceed this level. For those wanting greater velocity, the gun and case are safe with loads that generate up to 48,000 psi. So loaded, the cartridge can drive a 440-grain bullet over 1,400 fps and will likely satisfy the most recoil-hungry shooter. In short, this is a very lively load, especially if firing 50 to 100 rounds in a single shooting session.

Various loads were fired from a sandbag for accuracy, and several delivered groups under one inch at 25 yards.

Primer pockets are designed to accept large rifle primers, and all the accompanying data was developed with CCI No. 200 Large Rifle primers (non-magnum).

Bullets should be seated to the correct overall depth (crimp groove or cannelure) without crimping, then as a separate operation the crimp applied. If not, the case can dig into the bullet before it is fully seated, buckling it and effectively ruining the cartridge.

The .500 WE will prove capable of taking any game animal on earth and is housed in a practical, proven revolver. It is impressive with full-power loads, yet pleasant and fun with 370- or 440-grain bullets driven to around 900 fps. If you have ever slept on the open ground and watched grizzlies from your sleeping bag, the comfort of a .50-caliber revolver strapped to your body and readily accessible will then be understood.