The Big Horn Armory’s AR500 is no ordinary AR rifle. Positioned as the most powerful AR-style firearm on the market, the AR500 is chambered in the formidable 500 Auto Max—a rimless 500 S&W Magnum. This design ingenuity is the brainchild of Big Horn Armory Inc., a company that continues to redefine the concept of firepower within the familiar AR platform.
The emergence of the AR500 coincides with a special Valentine’s Day promotion, where prospective buyers can indulge their affection for high-caliber firepower at a 14% discount. This offer reflects the company’s confidence in its product and marks a strategic move to make the AR500 more accessible to shooting enthusiasts. The timing of this sale is opportune, capitalizing on a season known for grand gestures, though here, the grandeur is measured in muzzle energy rather than bouquets.
The company’s dedication to innovation shines through in the AR500. Its .500 Auto Max cartridge packs a powerful punch, allowing for a range of bullets from 350 to an impressive 600 grains. This versatility sets the AR500 apart, making it ideal for a variety of targets. Big Horn Armory was gaining popularity among Wyoming hunters seeking a firearm capable of stopping a charging grizzly and for those venturing to Alaska to hunt large game such as moose and coastal brown bears.
Meanwhile, the popularity of AR-style rifles continued to grow. AR stands for “Armalite Rifle” after the company that first produced the firearms. And the most common chamberings for ARs are the relatively small .223 Remmington or the 5.56×45mm NATO.
Indeed, the AR500 has been described by Greg Buchel, founder and president of Big Horn Armory, as a rifle capable of piercing through the toughest game on the continent. “Bison are pretty much the toughest critter on this continent and it punches right through both sides of them,” he said, illustrating the rifle’s impressive stopping power.
The AR500 is not just about raw power; it is also engineered with precision and adaptability in mind. It features a 1 in 24 rate twist barrel, threaded with a muzzle brake, and a match-grade Rise Rave 140 trigger with a 3.5 lb pull. The adjustable butt stock and M-LOK free float handguard enhance the shooter’s comfort and accuracy. The rifle’s action is crafted from 7075 aluminum, hard anodized for durability, with a hunter black nitride finish on stainless steel parts.
For those who prefer a more compact form factor, Big Horn Armory also offers the AR500 in a braced-pistol configuration. This variant maintains the firepower of its rifle counterpart while providing increased maneuverability and convenience.
At a time when AR-style rifles are continually evolving to meet the demands of hunters and marksmen alike, Big Horn Armory’s AR500 stands out. It extends the capabilities of the AR platform to encompass games as formidable as bison and grizzlies, while also providing the dexterity to take on smaller games without the typical overkill.
Relevant articles:
– Big Horn Armory, Big Horn Armory
– Escape From Chicago: Wyoming Firearms Founder Makes World’s Most Powerful AR-Style Rifle, cowboystatedaily.com
– 500 Auto Max Pistol, Big Horn Armory