500 S&W Magnum vs Salt Blocks

Published on December 19, 2016
Duration: 4:42

This video from Kentucky Ballistics tests the terminal performance of three different 500 S&W Magnum loads against 50-pound salt blocks. The 400-grain DoubleTap hard cast, 500-grain Underwood XTP flat point, and 350-grain Underwood extreme penetrator were fired from a Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 500. The 350-grain extreme penetrator and 500-grain XTP flat point were noted to cause the most damage.

Quick Summary

Kentucky Ballistics tested three 500 S&W Magnum loads against 50-pound salt blocks: a 400-grain DoubleTap hard cast, a 500-grain Underwood XTP flat point, and a 350-grain Underwood extreme penetrator. The 350-grain extreme penetrator and 500-grain XTP flat point caused the most damage, with the XTP being the only recovered projectile.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Introduction: Shooting Salt Blocks
  2. 00:44Test Plan: 3 Salt Blocks, 3 Loads
  3. 00:56Load 1: 400gr DoubleTap Hard Cast
  4. 01:21Load 2: 500gr Underwood XTP Flat Point
  5. 01:43Load 3: 350gr Underwood Extreme Penetrator
  6. 02:01Firearm: S&W 500 Performance Center
  7. 03:03Results: Salt Block Damage Comparison
  8. 03:09Analysis: 500gr XTP Flat Point Performance
  9. 03:29Analysis: 400gr Hard Cast Performance
  10. 03:47Analysis: 350gr Extreme Penetrator Performance
  11. 04:01Conclusion: Most Damaging Loads

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of ammunition was tested against salt blocks in the Kentucky Ballistics video?

The video tested three types of 500 S&W Magnum ammunition: a 400-grain hard cast load from DoubleTap, a 500-grain XTP jacketed flat point from Underwood, and a 350-grain extreme penetrator also from Underwood.

What firearm was used for the 500 S&W Magnum salt block test?

The firearm used in the test was a Smith & Wesson Magnum 500 Performance Center model, equipped with a 10.5-inch barrel.

How did the 500 S&W Magnum loads perform on 50-pound salt blocks?

All loads caused significant damage. The 500-grain XTP flat point and the 350-grain extreme penetrator were noted to cause the most damage, with the XTP being the only projectile recovered.

Are salt blocks easy to penetrate with large caliber handgun rounds?

No, salt blocks are surprisingly tough and dense. In a previous test, a .454 Casull round actually bounced back from a salt block, demonstrating their resilience.

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