.500 Wyoming Express

.500 Wyoming Express
Type	Handgun
Place of origin	USA
Production history
Designer	Freedom Arms
Designed	2005
Manufacturer	Freedom Arms
Specifications
Case type	Belted magnum
Bullet diameter	.500 in (12.7 mm)
Case length	1.37 in (35 mm)
Overall length	1.765 in (44.8 mm)
Primer type	Large rifle
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy 370 gr (24 g) WFNGC Grizzly 1,300 ft/s (400 m/s) 1,388 ft·lbf (1,882 J) 400 gr (26 g) WFNGC Grizzly 1,250 ft/s (380 m/s) 1,387 ft·lbf (1,881 J) 420 gr (27 g) PUNCH Grizzly 1,200 ft/s (370 m/s) 1,342 ft·lbf (1,820 J) 440 gr (29 g) WFNGC Grizzly 1,200 ft/s (370 m/s) 1,407 ft·lbf (1,908 J)
Source(s): Cartridges of the World [1]

The .500 Wyoming Express or .500 WE is a "big bore" handgun cartridge. It was introduced in 2005 by Freedom Arms for their Model 83 .500 WE revolver.^[2]

Like most handgun cartridges of this size, it is used almost exclusively in revolvers. It is designed mainly for hunting rather than self-defense or tactical usage.

Overview

The cartridge is comparable in size to the .50 Action Express, but has higher powder loads and normally a lower velocity.^[3] Though not as powerful as the .500 S&W Magnum, the .500 Wyoming Express is one of the most powerful handgun cartridges commercially available today and is capable of taking any large game animal.^[4] Other similar cartridges are the .500 Linebaugh, and the .50 Beowulf.

See also

• List of handgun cartridges
• 12 mm caliber

References

1. Barnes, Frank C. (2006) [1965]. Skinner, Stan, ed. Cartridges of the World (11th ed.). Iola, WI, USA: Gun Digest Books. p. 280. ISBN 0-89689-297-2.
2. The .500 Wyoming Express from Freedom Arms by Jeff Quinn, November 7, 2005
3. Taffin, John (April 2006). "Freedom Arms' Biggest Big Bore". Guns (FMG Publications): 46–51.
4. The .500 Wyoming Express by Brian Pearce in Guns & Ammo Handguns

External links

• Freedom Arms website
• .500 WE page at Freedom Arms website