Big Horn Armory, based in Cody, Wyoming, specializes in producing high-caliber, big-bore firearms. The company was founded with the intent to offer powerful weapons that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering. Big Horn Armory is best known for its lever-action rifles and has a reputation for using premium materials and robust construction methods.
Their decision to develop the AR500 Auto Max reflects their commitment to innovation in the firearms industry, especially in creating powerful semi-automatic rifles that cater to both big game hunters and tactical users. Using the .500 S&W Magnum as a springboard, they crafted the .500 Auto Max to maximize the round’s potential in a semi-automatic platform. This demonstrates their focus on designing firearms that are both powerful and precise, suitable for the most demanding hunting and tactical scenarios.
Big Horn Armory emphasizes ethical hunting practices and efficient game management, aiming to produce weapons that ensure quick and humane kills, which is a critical consideration for many hunters. Their approach to firearms manufacturing combines deep respect for tradition with a proactive embrace of new technologies and design philosophies, making them a unique player in the firearms industry.
Key Features and Specifications
The AR500 is built on an AR-10 platform but uses AR-15 size magazines that are modified for the .500 Auto Max cartridge, providing optimal feeding geometry for this high-power round.
It features an 18-inch stainless steel barrel that is surface-hardened and nitride-treated for durability and corrosion resistance. The barrel is also threaded to accommodate muzzle devices.
The rifle employs a nickel-boron coated bolt carrier group, reducing friction and easing maintenance, and includes a free-float M-LOK pattern handguard.
The AR500 also boasts an adjustable gas block, ambidextrous selector, and bolt catch, and has a trigger pull weight of 3-3.5 pounds, making it both versatile and user-friendly.
Performance and Usage
Designed primarily for big game hunting, the AR500 Auto Max is noted for its impressive stopping power, capable of handling game as large as bears and even suitable for penetrating engine blocks in law enforcement applications.
The .500 Auto Max round itself is a rimless, straight-walled case that offers significant power, with bullet weights ranging from 265 to 700 grains. This versatility in ammunition allows for a broad range of applications from hunting to tactical uses.
Big Horn Armory’s AR500 model introduces an impressive combination of power and versatility into the firearms market, thanks to its innovative design and the formidable .500 Auto Max cartridge. This rifle blends substantial firepower with the ease of use typical of AR-style rifles, offering a comfortable shooting experience even with its rapid-firing capability. Its familiar controls, a wide range of compatible accessories, and significant impact power make the AR500 highly adaptable, ready for nearly any scenario. Additionally, Big Horn Armory offers an ATF-compliant version of this model as a semi-automatic pistol, expanding the utility and application range of the AR500 platform.
Conclusion
The AR500 Auto Max stands out for its heavy-duty construction and the unique combination of the high-power .500 S&W Magnum cartridge capabilities in a semi-auto AR platform rifle. This makes it a prime choice for those looking for a rifle that offers both the familiar ergonomics of the AR-15/AR-10 platforms with the massive firepower of a big bore hunting or tactical rifle
