I’ve known about Big Horn Armory out of Cody, Wyoming, for a long time. From the moment they hit the scene, I fell in love with their big-bore lever-action rifles. They made a massive splash in the firearms world by building rugged, hard-hitting lever guns chambered in .500 S&W Magnum and .460 S&W Magnum—cartridges previously unheard of in a lever-action platform.

But Big Horn Armory wasn’t content with just rewriting the rules for lever actions. They decided to take things even further and do something no one else had done: build a semi-automatic rifle chambered in .500 S&W. Thus, the AR500 was born, along with its companion cartridge, the .500 Auto Max—a rimless, straight-walled version of the legendary .500 S&W Magnum, purpose-built for use in an AR-style rifle.

And let me tell you, this is no gimmick. This rifle puts half-inch holes in tight, respectable groups at 100 yards. It’s not just a showpiece—it’s a serious performer. This, right here, is why I love Big Horn Armory: their “can-do” spirit, their fearless innovation, and their unwavering commitment to everything big bore. Pushing the envelope while keeping safety first might as well be their motto—or maybe it’s “field artillery in a shoulder-fired rifle.”

When they announced the Next Gen AR500, I knew I had to have one. It’s bigger, badder, and better all around. You can buy just the upper if you already own a compatible high-profile DPMS-pattern lower, but for me, the decision to go with the complete rifle was an easy one. That big, thick, soft recoil pad on their proprietary lower sealed the deal. Trust me—your shoulder will thank you.

For those a bit more adventurous, the AR500 is also available in a pistol configuration. It’s a handful, to say the least, but incredibly fun and certainly attention-grabbing.

The Next Gen AR500 comes standard with a 7-round magazine, but 4-round magazines are also available. The rifle’s feed system is incredibly reliable, thanks to those wide, highly polished feed lips on the barrel extension—one of the small but critical details that allow this rifle to smoothly chamber everything from 350-grain to a whopping 600-grain bullets. That’s right—600-grain freedom pills. It’s worth noting that Big Horn Armory partnered with Buffalo Bore to invent this new .500 Rimless cartridge. Since then, companies like Underwood and Steinel have also stepped in, offering quality factory ammo.

And if you’re a reloader and a big-bore enthusiast like I am, you’ll be happy to know that Big Horn Armory has your back. They even publish their own reloading manual specifically for the .500 Auto Max to help keep us safe and our loads consistent. If you are looking for brass look no further than Starline Brass they had some in stock and only took a few days to arrive on my front door step. 

BHA-Handloading-Manual-Rev-2-1-05-12-2021

I strictly use their reloading manual only now for 460 Magnum, 500 Magnum and 500 Auto Max now. It has a wide variety of powders and these loads have been more accurate in the revolvers and levers then others. Remember FOLLOW THE MANUAL EXACTLY as all of these cartridges mention in this article need Large Rifle Primers.

AR500 Specifications

Big Horn Armory AR500 Rifle Specifications:

Caliber: 500 Auto Max

Rate of Twist: 1 in 24 Barrel

Length: 18”

Muzzle: Threaded w/ muzzle brake

Crown: Recessed

Trigger: Match Grade Rise Rave 140 trigger, single stage 3.5 lb pull

Butt Stock: Adjustable butt stock

Fore-end: M-LOK free float handguard

Action Materials: 7075 Aluminum hard anodized

Metal Finishes: Hunter Black Nitride on SS parts

Swing Swivel Mounts: Integral rear

Mag Capacity: 7 rd standard or 4 rd option

Overall Length: Varies

Weight: 9 lb.

From factory the trigger specs states 3.5pounds. The trigger pull on this rifle came in at 2.8pounds according to my RCBS guage but felt much lighter. The attention to detail on these rifles are evident and the trigger is one of those places they chose not to skimp. It was so light in fact that during my testing I made sure the rifle was empty and slammed the butt pad on the bench a number of times to make sure. This was completely safe and 100 percent reliable. The trigger guard is oversized, allowing the shooter to access the trigger easily while wearing gloves in the winter. In addition to the M-Lok handguard, the rifle has many other attachment points, including a picatinny rail up top for accesories and scope mounting. The safety lever is ambidextrous and let’s not forget the 6 position AR Stock that reduces recoil down to 308 type of recoil. Listen if you are comfrotable running an AR15 you will be right at home with the AR500.

Final Thoughts

Big Horn Armory made its name building bold, uncompromising big-bore lever actions. With the AR500, they’ve proven that their innovation and craftsmanship translate just as well to the semi-auto world. This isn’t just another AR—it’s a game-changer. Whether you’re hunting, defending against large predators, or just love sending heavy rounds downrange, the AR500 delivers power, precision, and pride of ownership.

If you’re serious about big bore, you owe it to yourself to experience what Big Horn Armory is doing. They don’t just make rifles—they make statements.

Get Out And Shoot

Let’s get a few mag dumps in and test it’s accuracy at 100 yards.

Big Horn Armory Just Keeps Getting Better

After the groundbreaking release of the AR500, Big Horn Armory has shown no signs of slowing down. Just when you think they’ve pushed big bore performance as far as it can go, they raise the bar again—this time with the introduction of their Take-Down Lever-Action Rifles.

Yes, you heard that right. The same company that brought us lever actions in .500 S&W Magnum and .460 S&W Magnum—and then followed it up with the beastly AR500 semi-auto—now offers a takedown model of their legendary lever guns.

This addition is a big deal for those of us who like to combine serious firepower with portability and versatility. Whether you’re packing in deep to hunt big game, need a compact and powerful rifle for bush flights, or just want easier storage and transport, the take-down feature adds a whole new level of practicality to an already incredible firearm.

And don’t worry—just because it breaks down doesn’t mean it compromises on strength or accuracy. Big Horn Armory builds these takedown rifles to the same bombproof standards as their fixed versions. Lockup is tight, fit and finish are top-notch, and they’re just as accurate and powerful as you’d expect.