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Big Horn Armory .500 S&W Magnum

hickok45
Published on April 30, 2025
Category: Reviews
Duration: 37:52

This video reviews the Big Horn Armory Spike Driver rifle chambered in .500 S&W Magnum. The reviewer, Hickok45, highlights its robust construction, impressive stopping power, and unique design inspired by classic Winchester lever-actions. He demonstrates its capabilities through various target tests and discusses its suitability for big game hunting and its premium build quality.

Tags

Big Horn Armory Spike Driver
.500 S&W Magnum
Lever-Action Rifle
Big Bore Rifle
Hunting Rifle
Stainless Steel
Black Walnut Stock
Skinner Sights
Model 89

Quick Summary

The Big Horn Armory Spike Driver rifle, chambered in .500 S&W Magnum, is a premium lever-action firearm built for power and durability. Featuring stainless steel construction with a black nitride finish, a black walnut stock, and Skinner sights, it offers impressive ballistics suitable for big game hunting, with recoil managed by its weight and a decelerator pad.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Sponsors
  2. 00:54Introducing the .500 S&W Magnum Round
  3. 01:11Big Horn Armory .500 S&W Magnum Rifle
  4. 01:21Testing Cinder Block and Bowling Pins
  5. 01:42Watermelon Destruction Test
  6. 01:56Reloading and Empty Chamber Check
  7. 02:03Big Horn Armory and .500 S&W Magnum Chambering
  8. 02:15Rifle Sent by Big Horn Armory
  9. 02:25Big Bore Rifle Discussion
  10. 02:49Model 89 Spike Driver
  11. 03:08First Impressions of the Spike Driver
  12. 03:21Comparison to Revolver .500 S&W Magnum
  13. 03:40Initial Perception vs. Reality
  14. 04:03Rifle Construction and Cost
  15. 04:24Ballistics and Capability
  16. 04:42Approaching .458 Win Mag Ballistics
  17. 05:02Big Game Hunting Potential
  18. 05:16Serious Hardware and Round
  19. 05:24Cartridge Size Comparison
  20. 05:30Comparing .22LR, .357, .44 Magnum, .45-70, .500 S&W Magnum
  21. 05:51.45-70 vs. .500 S&W Magnum Case Capacity
  22. 06:36Black Powder vs. Modern Smokeless Powders
  23. 07:08Powerhouse Capability
  24. 07:11Shooting and Target Environment
  25. 07:34Shooting a Heavy Pot
  26. 07:46Shooting a Gallon Can of Water
  27. 08:06Disintegration of Targets
  28. 08:09Bowling Pin Test
  29. 08:31Recoil and Recoil Pad
  30. 08:46Recoil Management Accessories
  31. 09:07Controllability in a Rifle
  32. 09:19Rifle Weight and Action Design
  33. 09:25Resemblance to Winchester Models
  34. 09:55Model 89 Spike Driver Details
  35. 10:03Action Design Inspiration
  36. 10:34Middle of the Road Design
  37. 10:45Not an Exact Replica
  38. 10:57Pistol Grip and Lever Loop
  39. 11:05Stock and Lever Preferences
  40. 11:26Lever Loop for Gloves
  41. 11:41Lever Loop Convenience for Hunters
  42. 12:02Wood Quality and Finish
  43. 12:20Shooting Different Ammunition
  44. 12:26Barnes Bullet Test
  45. 13:01Designed for Hard Use
  46. 13:09Magazine Capacity
  47. 13:14Break-in Period and Lever Loosening
  48. 13:24CNC Machining and Tolerances
  49. 13:31Wood Fit and Finish
  50. 13:43Shooting with Rounds in Magazine
  51. 13:51Barnes Bullet on 2-Liter Bottle
  52. 14:00Recoil with Barnes Bullets
  53. 14:05Trigger Guard Contact
  54. 14:07Steel Target Engagement
  55. 14:15Stout Ammunition Performance
  56. 14:24Watermelon Target
  57. 14:42Disintegration Time
  58. 14:54Bullet Expansion
  59. 15:01Water Container Target
  60. 15:16Another Target Engagement
  61. 15:21Overkill to the Extreme
  62. 15:31Ram Target
  63. 15:37Unknown Round Performance
  64. 15:40Fusion Ammunition Experience
  65. 15:56Target Fall Speed
  66. 16:00Taxing Round Experience
  67. 16:11First Time Experience with Round
  68. 16:14Jump and Recoil
  69. 16:23Rogue Elephant Scenario
  70. 16:32Serious Round Description
  71. 16:34275 Grain Barnes Expander
  72. 16:39Watermelon Revisited
  73. 16:48Damage to Box and Manual
  74. 16:5622LR Soaked
  75. 17:03Stainless Steel Construction
  76. 17:05Material Identification
  77. 17:1017-4 PH Stainless Steel
  78. 17:21Properties of 17-4 Stainless Steel
  79. 17:33Corrosion Resistance
  80. 17:37Nitride Treatment Benefits
  81. 17:47Tight Tolerances and Break-in
  82. 17:55Need for Loosening Up
  83. 18:01Break-in Process
  84. 18:13Brand New Condition
  85. 18:17Favorite Lever Gun Actions
  86. 18:36Skinner Sight Identification
  87. 18:41Personal Experience with Skinner Sights
  88. 18:51Sight Adjustment
  89. 19:09Chamber Clear Check
  90. 19:13Muzzle Awareness
  91. 19:16Muzzle Size of .500 S&W
  92. 19:26.50 Caliber Equivalence
  93. 19:3850 Caliber Verification
  94. 19:42Sling Attachments
  95. 19:44Recoil Mitigation Design
  96. 19:53Forearm Design
  97. 20:01Front Sight Visibility
  98. 20:03Sight Preference
  99. 20:08Lever Gun Appeal
  100. 20:14Minimal Changes Desired
  101. 20:16Short Big Thumper Concept
  102. 20:20Stock and Lever Preferences Revisited
  103. 20:29Unusual Piece Discussion
  104. 20:33Thumper Experience
  105. 20:35Full Effect of Firing
  106. 20:41Fusion Ammunition Comfort
  107. 20:43Other Ammunition Fired
  108. 20:50Power Demonstration
  109. 20:55Comfortable Shooting
  110. 21:04Nice Rifle Impression
  111. 21:08Expensive Firearm
  112. 21:10Not Competing on Price
  113. 21:14Premium Product
  114. 21:17Cool Factor
  115. 21:20Stock Addition for Length
  116. 21:22Recoil with Hot Rounds
  117. 21:29Knuckle Contact
  118. 21:34Learning from Recoil
  119. 21:39Bite of the Fire
  120. 21:42Added Length Benefit
  121. 21:44Barnes Bullet Compatibility
  122. 21:51Expander Bullet Type
  123. 21:55Healthy Round Description
  124. 21:57Heavier Ammunition Consideration
  125. 22:08Raptor or T-Rex Defense Scenario
  126. 22:1450 Caliber Versatility
  127. 22:18Handling Power
  128. 22:20Target Engagement
  129. 22:23Red Plate Target
  130. 22:35Missed Shot Correction
  131. 22:50Middle Target Attempt
  132. 23:03Small Target Attempt
  133. 23:30Target Impact Observation
  134. 23:35Small Target Difficulty
  135. 23:38Sight Adjustment Need
  136. 23:42Sight Zeroing
  137. 23:44Shooting Animals
  138. 23:47Targeting Pigs
  139. 23:51Pig Experience with 50 Caliber
  140. 24:05Fusion Ammunition Preference
  141. 24:08General Plinking Ammunition
  142. 24:15Pig Target Shot
  143. 24:38Low Shot Correction
  144. 24:48Raising the Sight
  145. 24:58Red Plate Target Revisited
  146. 25:10Bad Let Off
  147. 25:18Sight Adjustment Success
  148. 25:20Target Swing
  149. 25:23Another Ram Target
  150. 25:34Target Fall Speed
  151. 25:42Brass Pickup
  152. 25:51Ammunition Cost
  153. 25:56Fusion Ammunition Box
  154. 26:02No More Watermelon Shots
  155. 26:07Construction Materials
  156. 26:17Target Audience and Interest
  157. 26:27Lever Gun Appeal
  158. 26:30Niche Firearms
  159. 26:39High-Quality Firearm Construction
  160. 26:42Unlimited Resources Build
  161. 26:58Unique Market Position
  162. 27:03Interesting Innovations
  163. 27:09High-End 1911 Analogy
  164. 27:20State of the Art Manufacturing
  165. 27:37High Quality Firearms
  166. 27:50Specialty of 50 Caliber
  167. 27:58Cookie Sheet Target
  168. 28:0345 Caliber Hole
  169. 28:07Model 41 Pistol
  170. 28:1150 Caliber Hole Comparison
  171. 28:18Perception of 45 Caliber
  172. 28:23Loading Ammunition
  173. 28:32Big Bullet, Big Cartridge
  174. 28:3550 Caliber Target Test
  175. 28:47Size Difference Verification
  176. 28:54Mathematical Verification
  177. 29:04True Statement
  178. 29:08Bowling Pin Swing Test
  179. 29:21Target Impact
  180. 29:26Hit Quality
  181. 29:31Target Range Destruction
  182. 29:362-Liter Bottle Target
  183. 29:40Avoiding Steel
  184. 29:46Missed Targets
  185. 29:50Purpose of Firearm
  186. 29:53Hunting Selection
  187. 29:58Alien Hunting Scenario
  188. 30:03Ammunition Selection
  189. 30:08Hog Gun Suitability
  190. 30:12Wild Boar Hunting
  191. 30:15Global Hunting Application
  192. 30:18Ammunition Selection Strategy
  193. 30:20Additional Shots
  194. 30:23Need to Shoot More
  195. 30:30Man Card Motivation
  196. 30:35Viewer Ammunition Choices
  197. 30:40700 Grain Bullet
  198. 30:41Ammunition Availability
  199. 30:46Boutique Loading Shops
  200. 30:50Popularity of Cartridge
  201. 30:53Ammunition Variety
  202. 30:57Elephant Gun Cartridges
  203. 31:04Firearm Weight
  204. 31:06Heavy Firearm
  205. 31:11Powerful Rifle Experience
  206. 31:13Serious Cartridge Impression
  207. 31:21Comparison to .458 Win Mag
  208. 31:23Shooting .458 Win Mag
  209. 31:29Ammunition Choice Regret
  210. 31:38Hanging Buffalo Target
  211. 31:43Hitting Targets
  212. 31:47Bullet Printing Differences
  213. 31:52Bullet Velocity and Print Point
  214. 31:54Holding Lower
  215. 31:59Target Visibility
  216. 32:05Missed Shot
  217. 32:08High Shot
  218. 32:13Surprise Shot
  219. 32:15Bullet Toughness
  220. 32:17Bullet Expansion Difficulty
  221. 32:20Holding Lower for Impact
  222. 32:27Interesting Observation
  223. 32:30Printing Higher
  224. 32:33Gong Target Consideration
  225. 32:36Case Expansion and Toughness
  226. 32:46Hanging Tank Target
  227. 32:49Brass Case Ejection
  228. 32:53Nickel Cases
  229. 32:56Nickel Case Benefits
  230. 32:57Chambering Smoothness
  231. 33:03Case Brittleness
  232. 33:07Easier Ejection
  233. 33:11Breaking In the Rifle
  234. 33:13Shooting More Rounds
  235. 33:15Keeping Viewers Late
  236. 33:1750 Caliber Enjoyment
  237. 33:20Big Bore Fun
  238. 33:25Fun to Shoot
  239. 33:27Fusion vs. Barnes Fun
  240. 33:33Plinking Caliber
  241. 33:39Sling Recommendation
  242. 33:43Leather Sling
  243. 33:48Alaskan Hunter Aesthetic
  244. 33:53Tabletop Firearm
  245. 33:56Animal Not Falling Over
  246. 33:58Punching with Firearm
  247. 34:00Shooting More Rounds
  248. 34:03Forgotten Targets
  249. 34:06Target Ringing Sound
  250. 34:15Impact Observation
  251. 34:19Red Plate Target Again
  252. 34:25Nice Sound
  253. 34:33Gong Target
  254. 34:36Last Round Shot
  255. 34:38Turkey Target
  256. 34:51No Reload Needed
  257. 34:55Miss on Last Shot
  258. 34:5850 Caliber Appeal
  259. 35:01Big Bore Enthusiasm
  260. 35:02Lever Gun Appeal
  261. 35:04Feel in Hand
  262. 35:08Short Barrel Length
  263. 35:1018-inch Barrel
  264. 35:13Full Length Magazine
  265. 35:17Lever Gun Preferences
  266. 35:21Standard Lever Preference
  267. 35:22Straight Stock Preference
  268. 35:24Perfect Satisfaction
  269. 35:28Unusual Piece
  270. 35:32Big Horn Armory Origin
  271. 35:35Made in Cody, Wyoming
  272. 35:39Made in the USA
  273. 35:43Exacting Measurements and Quality
  274. 35:4750 Caliber 500 Smith and Wesson
  275. 35:50Other Chamberings Available
  276. 35:51460 S&W Magnum
  277. 35:53454 Casull
  278. 36:01Lindall Cartridges
  279. 36:04Wildcat Cartridges
  280. 36:08Expanding Product Line
  281. 36:1222 Long Rifle Chambering
  282. 36:18Appreciation for Viewers
  283. 36:20Enjoying the Rifle
  284. 36:24Bringing Rifle to Viewers
  285. 36:26Appreciation for Help
  286. 36:30Life is Good
  287. 36:35Great Gun for Defense
  288. 36:39Talon Grips and Ballistol
  289. 36:43Talon Grips Product
  290. 36:47Grip Textures
  291. 36:53Affordable Grip Improvement
  292. 36:57Handgun and Rifle Grips
  293. 37:02Talon Grips Website
  294. 37:05Ballistol Product
  295. 37:08Ballistol Usage
  296. 37:10Cleaner and Lubricant
  297. 37:13Non-Toxic Properties
  298. 37:15Shooting Endeavor
  299. 37:19Ballistol Website
  300. 37:21Social Media Promotion
  301. 37:25Juggling Items
  302. 37:27Internet Presence
  303. 37:29Facebook Presence
  304. 37:33Twitter Presence
  305. 37:37Instagram Presence
  306. 37:43Hickok45.com
  307. 37:46Gunstreamer Presence
  308. 37:48Watch More Videos

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Big Horn Armory Spike Driver rifle chambered in?

The Big Horn Armory Spike Driver rifle reviewed in this video is chambered in the powerful .500 S&W Magnum cartridge. This large caliber is known for its significant stopping power, making it suitable for big game hunting.

What are the key construction features of the Big Horn Armory Spike Driver?

The Spike Driver is constructed from stainless steel with a durable black nitride coating for corrosion resistance. It features a beautiful black walnut stock and a Skinner peep sight, inspired by classic Winchester lever-action designs.

How does the .500 S&W Magnum perform in a rifle compared to a handgun?

When chambered in a rifle, the .500 S&W Magnum cartridge delivers significantly more energy and velocity than from a handgun. Its ballistics can approach those of cartridges like the .458 Win Mag, making it a formidable round for big game.

Is the Big Horn Armory Spike Driver suitable for hunting?

Yes, the Big Horn Armory Spike Driver is well-suited for big game hunting due to its .500 S&W Magnum chambering, which provides substantial power. Its robust stainless steel construction and durable finish also make it capable of withstanding harsh hunting environments.

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