500 Linebaugh
Historical Notes:
The 500 Linebaugh is the design creation of John Linebaugh, of Maryville, MO.
John started out by converting a 45 Colt revolver from a 6 shot to a 5 shot,
thus offering more strength in the cylinder. It was a successful venture, but
John continued to search for a more powerful handgun. The result is the 500
Linebaugh. The 500 Linebaugh is based on the 348 Winchester cartridge cut down
to 1.5 inches and inside reamed to 500 caliber. John uses a large frame Ruger
Bisley revolver as he found the Ruger frame is the only one that can withstands
the sever recoil of this cartridge. He replaces the Ruger barrel with one of 50
caliber, usually 5.5 inches long. However, he will cut a barrel of any length
that the customer desires. The 500 proved to be a very successful round pushing
500 grain bullets over 1200 fps. Accuracy is outstanding, but recoil can only be
described as severe. Not long after John designed this cartridge, the supply of
348 Winchester brass began to dry up which is why John designed the 475
Linebaugh based on the readily available 45-70 Government case. Not long after the
475 was designed, Browning reintroduced their Model 1871 rifle in 348
Winchester, and those cases are again readily available.
General Comments:
There are more powerful pistol cartridges, but for single shot handguns such as
the Thompson/Center Contender. When it comes to the revolver, this is close to
the ultimate in power. Due to its accuracy and easily handling, this cartridge
could prove to be an excellent heavy game handgun cartridge and possibly the
revolver cartridge suitable for taking African game. Specialized bullets are
made by Golden Bear of San Jose, CA. The jackets for these are turned on a screw
machine and a lead core is swaged in. These bullets have been found to be
excellent performers both in terms of accuracy and penetration. The 500
Linebaugh should find a strong following in the wilds of Alaska or the plains of
Africa, where it could be used as a primary hunting gun or a backup.
Source: Cartridges of the World
| 500 Linebaugh Reloading Data | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet (grs.) | Powder / (grs.) | MV | ME | Source |
| 400 Cast | H-110 / 27.0 | 1200 | 1280 | John Linebaugh |
| 410 SP | H-110 / 29.0 | 1250 | 1425 | John Linebaugh |
| 410 SP | H-110 / 31.0 | 1320 | 1590 | John Linebaugh |
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