Way to go Don, congrats!!
If you haven't bought any brass yet, I'd get Starline, there have been several reports of Hornady brass splitting with heavy hunting loads after just a couple loadings, I've used a lot of Starline and never had a problem with 350gr XTPs and 385gr Rem bonded Core-lokts, as well as 440gr Cast Performance and 700gr Ranger Ricks, with max loads of Lil'gun. Best accuracy has been with the 385gr Rems crimped with a Hornady taper crimp die, from what I've read, the crimp makes a big difference in the 500 and my load seemed to confirm that since the others weren't crimped, 100yd 3-shot groups with a scope were 2-2½" uncrimped with all the other loads, this was 1½", could just be the bullet, but I think crimping is a good idea to give good bullet pull for the big bore. I use RCBS steel dies only because I got a new set for $12, also got 2 boxes of 350gr XTPs for half price, that's what got me into the 500 Handi, didn't buy a barrel until a few months later!!
Have fun, but be prepared for some recoil with hunting loads, I only shoot mine from the Leadsled and it really rocks me if I don't put a few sand bags in it!!
Tim
