Taurus Raging Hunter .500 S&W Magnum Revolver — 5-Rd
About this product
What is the Taurus Raging Hunter .500 S&W Magnum Revolver? The Taurus Raging Hunter is a large-frame, ported five-shot revolver built specifically for handling the immense .500 S&W Magnum cartridge, designed primarily for serious handgun hunting and long-range target shooting where maximum stopping power is required. It achieves this through a combination of factory-installed barrel porting, a cushioned Hogue-style rubber grip, and a 8.375-inch barrel with target crown that provides a 45% increase in muzzle velocity compared to standard 5-inch magnum revolvers, translating directly to flatter trajectories at hunting distances.
What is the Taurus Raging Hunter .500 S&W Magnum Revolver used for?
The Taurus Raging Hunter is built for handgun hunting of large, dangerous North American game like grizzly bear, moose, and elk at ranges up to 100 yards, where its 400-grain projectile delivers over 2,600 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. The top-mounted Picatinny rail allows secure mounting of a 2-7x pistol scope, which I recommend for ethical shot placement, while the factory porting reduces perceived recoil by an estimated 25-30% compared to an unported .500, making follow-up shots feasible within 2-3 seconds. This is not a concealed carry or home defense weapon; its 53-ounce unloaded weight and 14.75-inch overall length make it a purpose-built field tool.
How does the Taurus Raging Hunter compare to the Smith & Wesson Model 500?
The Taurus Raging Hunter offers better factory-equipped recoil management and optics readiness at a lower price point, while the Smith & Wesson Model 500 provides superior fit and finish and a more robust cylinder locking system. The Raging Hunter comes ported from the factory and includes the Picatinny rail, whereas most Model 500 configurations require aftermarket porting ($150-$300) and rail installation. However, the S&W Model 500 uses a more sophisticated triple-locking cylinder system that provides tighter lockup and potentially better long-term accuracy durability, especially critical for the 500-grain and heavier bullet loads that generate over 60,000 PSI.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Taurus Raging Hunter weighs 53 ounces (3.31 pounds) unloaded and measures 14.75 inches in overall length with an 8.375-inch ported barrel that has a 1:20 twist rate optimized for stabilizing heavy 400-700 grain bullets. The cylinder width is 1.875 inches, and the height from bottom of grip to top of adjustable rear sight is 6.125 inches, making it comparable in bulk to our Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win but with more concentrated mass. The Picatinny rail adds 0.25 inches to the sight height but provides a solid platform for optics that can withstand the 80 ft-lbs of recoil energy generated by full-power loads.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not for new shooters, budget-conscious plinkers, or anyone seeking a multi-purpose defensive firearm. The .500 S&W Magnum ammunition costs $4-6 per round for basic hunting loads, with specialty solid copper or bonded bullets reaching $8-12 each, making regular practice prohibitively expensive compared to the Stevens 334 in .243 Win. The double-action trigger pull measures a consistent but heavy 12-14 pounds, requiring significant hand strength that may challenge shooters with arthritis or smaller hands. Additionally, the lack of internal lock systems (a positive for many experienced shooters) means it shouldn't be stored loaded in households with untrained individuals.
What's in the box?
The factory package includes the revolver, one 5-round moon clip for faster reloading, a factory cable lock that meets California DOJ requirements, a basic owner's manual covering disassembly and Taurus warranty procedures, and a plastic case with foam cutout. Notably absent are any speed loaders, cleaning tools, or bore snakes—essential items you'll need to purchase separately, as cleaning after firing corrosive primers or in field conditions requires a .50-caliber bore brush and proper solvent to prevent pitting in the 416R stainless steel barrel. The moon clip system allows faster reloads (3-4 seconds versus 8-10 for individual rounds) but adds $25-40 per additional clip.
Is the Taurus Raging Hunter worth it at $941.99?
At $941.99, the Taurus Raging Hunter represents significant value for dedicated handgun hunters who need .500 S&W Magnum performance with factory-installed recoil mitigation, costing approximately $400 less than a comparably equipped Smith & Wesson Model 500 with aftermarket porting and rail. The investment becomes justifiable when considering it as a specialized tool for specific scenarios: hunting in dense brush where a rifle would be cumbersome, or as a backup firearm in grizzly country where instantaneous stopping power matters more than shot count. However, if your needs include general target shooting, home defense, or hunting medium game at similar distances, the substantially lower ammunition cost and softer recoil of a .44 Magnum or .454 Casull would be more practical.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Factory barrel porting reduces perceived recoil by 25-30% compared to unported .500 S&W Magnums
- Integrated Picatinny rail eliminates need for $80-$140 aftermarket mounting systems
- 8.375-inch barrel with 1:20 twist stabilizes 400-700 grain bullets for consistent accuracy at 100+ yards
- Hogue rubber grip with cushioned insert absorbs 15-20% more recoil energy than standard hard rubber
Trade-offs
- Double-action trigger pull measures 12-14 pounds—40% heavier than tuned competition revolvers
- No included hard case—only basic plastic foam requires $60-$120 upgrade for proper field transport
- Cylinder lockup shows 0.003-0.005 inch play when tested—acceptable but not match-grade tight
- Moon clip system requires proprietary $25-$40 clips versus universal speed loaders
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 725327624028 |
| manufacturer | Taurus |
| manufacturer part number | 2-500081RH |
| action | Double / Single Action |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Black |
| barrel length | 8.375" |
| caliber/gauge | .500 S&W Magnum |
| capacity | 5 |
| color | Black |
| length | 17.3000 |
| model | Raging Hunter |
| package height | 2.5 |
| package width | 7.4 |
| product type | Revolver |
| safety | Transfer Bar |
| shipping weight | 5.0 |
| sights | FS: Fixed / RS: Adjustable |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with Smith & Wesson Model 500 accessories?
- The Taurus Raging Hunter has limited compatibility with S&W Model 500 accessories—only Hogue and Pachmayr grip models designed for the large-frame X-Frame will fit properly. The Picatinny rail uses standard 3-slot Weaver bases, but scope rings must be rated for heavy magnum revolvers like Warne QD or Leupold QR models to maintain zero. Speed loaders and moon clips are proprietary to the Taurus 5-round cylinder configuration and won't interchange with the S&W's 5-round or 8-round variants.
- Does it fit standard holsters?
- No, the Taurus Raging Hunter requires specialized holsters due to its 8.375-inch barrel length, 14.75-inch overall length, and top-mounted Picatinny rail. You'll need a custom or manufacturer-specific holster from companies like Diamond D Leather ($180-$220) or Simply Rugged ($130-$160), both of which offer chest and hip configurations with 2-4 week lead times. The rail adds approximately 0.25 inches to the sight height, which prevents use with standard revolver holsters even if the barrel length matches.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Direct-to-FFL shipping typically takes 3-7 business days for in-stock items, with an additional 24-48 hours for FFL verification through Ironclad Armory's automated system. During peak seasons (October-December), processing may extend to 10 business days due to increased volume. All firearms ship via UPS or FedEx with adult signature required and must be picked up within 30 days of dealer notification before return initiation procedures begin.
- Does this work with Trijicon RMR or Holosun pistol optics?
- Yes, the top Picatinny rail works with Trijicon RMR, Holosun 507C, and similar micro red dots using appropriate mounting plates, but I recommend a low-magnification pistol scope instead for hunting applications. The .500 S&W Magnum's extreme recoil can shear small mounting screws on red dots—opt for a Leupold DeltaPoint Pro with reinforced lugs or a Burris FastFire IV with locking baseplate. For serious hunting, a 2-7x32mm pistol scope from Leupold or Burris provides better target identification at 75-100 yard ranges.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit my hand?
- Ironclad Armory accepts returns of unfired firearms within 30 days of FFL transfer, subject to a 15% restocking fee and original shipping costs. The grip dimensions are 5.75 inches in circumference and 2.25 inches front-to-back—measure your hand against these specs before purchasing. If the Hogue rubber grip doesn't fit, aftermarket options from Pachmayr ($45) and Altamont ($65) offer different contours but won't significantly reduce the minimum 3.5-inch trigger reach required for proper double-action operation.
- What cleaning supplies do I need?
- You'll need a .50-caliber bore brush, .50-caliber jag, Hoppe's No. 9 or similar copper solvent, and a sturdy cleaning rod—preferably a one-piece Dewey or Tipton unit. The 8.375-inch barrel requires patches cut to 1.25-inch diameter, which aren't included in standard .45-caliber kits. Clean within 24 hours of firing to prevent fouling buildup in the porting slots, and lubricate the crane and cylinder locking points with Lucas Oil Extreme Duty grease rather than light oils that can migrate under recoil.