Getting into the handgun hunting game. 500 S&W

[Backyardsniper]

I am making a dedicated move into handgun hunting. I have owned a Redhawk 44 magnum for a long time and I have a lot of experience with it. However, I am looking to get into a more specialized hunting pistol and cartridge.
The questions I have for any of you with experience with this caliber or these particular revolvers are as follows;
Is there any particular difference in performance between the 7.5" and 10" performance center pistols. I will be running this with a trijicon RMR and I like the fact that the pic rail is machined in and sits lower on the 10" so that is the pistol I'm leaning towards.
Is there any reason to look at any of the other revolvers available. The BFR, or Freedom arms?
Would there be any reason to look into another type of specialized pistol for this task, the task being able to handle large game up to bear, elk/moose, and or even large African antelope such as Kudu or Eland, Wildebeest.
I do reload so I can control power level for training purposes. I plan to use the Sierra 400 grain, at least I think that looks like one of the better options. I live about 15 min from a great outdoor range and can also shoot out to 50 yards in my back yard so having the ability to train and practice with it will not be an issue.
I am looking at the 500 because the 500 seems to have a better selection of heavy duty hunting bullets and since I reload I can control the power level, while it is handy that the 460 shoots the 45 and 454 once I buy the brass and bullets for the 500 I can make training rounds with that.
All opinions and suggestion are welcome.
Thanks.

 

[analog_peninsula]

The revolvers with shorter cylinders balance better than those with longer cylinders. I had a BFR in .500 caliber and was generally satisfied with it, even though it was quite awkward. Very accurate though. I prefer both my S&W .460 and my Freedom Arms .454. I’d handle as many different pistols as I could, and focus on the ergonomics rather than the ballistics. I’ve also got a Contender and a Wichita bolt gun, but you were mentioning revolvers.

 

[Backyardsniper]

The revolvers with shorter cylinders balance better than those with longer cylinders. I had a BFR in .500 caliber and was generally satisfied with it, even though it was quite awkward. Very accurate though. I prefer both my S&W .460 and my Freedom Arms .454. I’d handle as many different pistols as I could, and focus on the ergonomics rather than the ballistics. I’ve also got a Contender and a Wichita bolt gun, but you were mentioning revolvers.

Thanks man. I do want to get my hands on a few different pistols. I am not completely against the idea of a single shot or encore type pistol. I had one in 7/08 and it was scary accurate. I'm still definitely in the R&D phase. You prefer the 454/460 due to the handling, or recoil?

 

[Flbt]

I am making a dedicated move into handgun hunting. I have owned a Redhawk 44 magnum for a long time and I have a lot of experience with it. However, I am looking to get into a more specialized hunting pistol and cartridge.
The questions I have for any of you with experience with this caliber or these particular revolvers are as follows;
Is there any particular difference in performance between the 7.5" and 10" performance center pistols. I will be running this with a trijicon RMR and I like the fact that the pic rail is machined in and sits lower on the 10" so that is the pistol I'm leaning towards.
Is there any reason to look at any of the other revolvers available. The BFR, or Freedom arms?
Would there be any reason to look into another type of specialized pistol for this task, the task being able to handle large game up to bear, elk/moose, and or even large African antelope such as Kudu or Eland, Wildebeest.
I do reload so I can control power level for training purposes. I plan to use the Sierra 400 grain, at least I think that looks like one of the better options. I live about 15 min from a great outdoor range and can also shoot out to 50 yards in my back yard so having the ability to train and practice with it will not be an issue.
I am looking at the 500 because the 500 seems to have a better selection of heavy duty hunting bullets and since I reload I can control the power level, while it is handy that the 460 shoots the 45 and 454 once I buy the brass and bullets for the 500 I can make training rounds with that.
All opinions and suggestion are welcome.
Thanks.

I had a 500 in the handy rifle I didn’t like the recoil out of the rifle. And had at that time been using a 10ga and 338 wm on a normal basis. I got it sold and never thought of getting a hand gun in it
Had a friend point out the h&r was lighter than the s&w 500 long barrel hand gun.

I don’t know if it was the rifle it’s self or what but that is the only gun I ever shot that really hurt
And I have shot a 460 wm 1 times and it didn’t really hurt + light ml in 54 cal and 10ga and the bps in 10 and 825 11 ga 3 1/2 on

 

[Hunter4752001]

I have taken Kudu with a 454 Casull so I doubt you'd have any trouble with a 500 S&W. I agree with other comments that ergonomics and packability or more important than power level. I have recently acquired a BFR and find that its superb accuracy and trigger, but it's harder on recoil than a double action due to grip shape. Ergonomics is an individual thing, try as many diferent guns as possible to find what works best for you.