If Elmer thought it was a good deer (and more) round I think it's safe to say it is Brad; we all know he had a penchant for overkill
There is no need to "seat way out" the bullets are designed for a revolvers cylinder anyways.
Not to threadjack but the 500 Handi is all that and a bag of chips. I can't wait to play more with mine when I have some days off. Especially when we consider that heavy bullet weights in the .44 are low to mid range in the 500.
A ruger no. 1 in that caliber would be most excellent.
I often find myself pining for one of those Big Horn Armory lever action .500 S and W's. But I just can't justify the price of importing one, and the extra cost for brass and reloading supplies, at least not over a .45-70. If my resources were less limited I think it'd be the cats ass.
Not to hijack, but by means of comparison, what do your loads for your .500 Hand rifle look like? Bullet weight, velocity, energy and recoil - wise?