Thank you all for the accolades..

Franchise - Here are my notes on wet newsprint testing earlier this fall. Distance to the test medium was 50 yards. Pact Chronograph 10 feet in front of the muzzle. I should also point out that the barrel rate of twist is 1-12 Vs that of the 500 S&W which is 1-18.

Hornady 300FTX - Muzzle Velocity 2310fs -
Penetration 14" expanded to .760" retained wt = 190.0 / 63.4%
* One of the most devastating in terms of shock ring and wound channel.

Swift 325 HP/AF - Muzzle Velocity 2217fs -
Penetration 18" expanded to .772" retained wt = 285.0 / 87.6%

Hornady 350XTP - Muzzle Velocity 2082fs -
Penetration 10" - expanded to 1.190" - retained wt = 260.8 /74.5%
* This produced the widest shock ring @ 5" with a 2" wound channel ** I later backed the velocity down to improve on accuracy.

Hawk 400x.025 HP - Muzzle Velocity 1983fs -
Penetration 9" core/jacket separation - retained wt = 189.4 / 47.3%

Hornady 500FP - Muzzle velocity 1710fs
Penetration 18" - expanded to .962" - retained wt = 490.0 / 98%
I have taken this up to 1800fs and is truly a handful.

I have shot bug holes with all of the Hornady's from 25 yards out to 100. My last testing was on a cardboard deer cut out at 140 yards - The Hornady 350XTP were spot on @ 1950fs, as were the 300FTX @ 2250fs. I tested the 350's between 2100 - 2175fs and the accuracy went south. The load I worked up with this bullet @ 1950fs seems to be the sweet spot for accuracy.

Thanks again
B.