My loads are all Commercial. I don't have the setup to load my own.
However, between Cor-Bon's "Elephant Loads" and Hornady's 500 grain offerings, we are not talking beginner stuff. Then again, at $4+ a round, I can't afford to shoot as much as EddieCoyle does. My 'plinking' round is a much lighter load that's only $2 a round. (^_^)
But none of these compare to some of the stuff John Ross (of Unintended Consequences fame) shoots. He has some custom cast 510 grain loads developing over 3000 ft lbs of energy.
Once I make myself a place to reload, I intend to play more with this, but for right now, I need to finish the master suite project that's going on 4 years now. (Budgets suck) (^_^)
I do experiment quite a bit with both the .500 and .460, and I think I've found the limits (don't ask). I've had severely flattened and pierced (rifle) primers, and my 4" has been back to S&W once for a "rebuild". I'm comfortable with the loads I've developed, and I think I've found the limits. WRT to the .500 and the .460, Clark Magnuson has nothing on me.
Chris, if you try that link you sent me to John Ross's .500 page, I think you'll find that it's gone. Some of the things he recommended, such as "just fill the case with your favorite rifle powder", etc were overly enthusiastic at best, dangerous as hell at worst. I tried to duplicate his 3000 ft/lb loads and was unable to do so safely.
Here's a tiny bit of advice for anyone that wants to try to shoot really powerful revolver loads:
Single load them! If you make it hot enough, there ain't a crimp in the world that a bullet won't jump. Just trust me on this.
My .500 plinking loads cost about $.26 each, other more exotic loads that I make myself can cost over $1.25 each. For a handload, that's huge money - especially when you consider that I'm not counting the cost of brass.
I'm going to bring an assortment of powerful but safe loads to the Pumpkin Shoot. Anybody that is adventurous enough can try what truly are the ultimate in revolver loads.
Edit: If you're interested in the Pumpkin Shoot, you need to become a member.
CLICK HERE for details.