So, I've pondered the good advice the membership has graciously shared (thanks to all !!!) and I am going to embark upon a path of alternate powders as the 1st order of business.

At the risk of imposing further, I am interested in pet loads anyone might be willing to share using the following powders I have on hand:

1. Varget (A2208)
2. IMR 4320
3. H380
4. RL-22

My favourite powder for several cartridges is Varget and consequently I have lots of it on hand but no recipes whatsoever for it in .500ne so I don't really know where to start with that one. For the others, I do have a recipe starting point but am interested to hear of any success stories (or heaven forbid, horror stories)

Thanks to all in advance!

The bullets will be Barnes TSX FB, Hornady brass, and Fed 215m primers. Brass full length resized. Primer pockets uniformed using a Sinclair uniforming tool, Brass length is trimmed to 2.994", never allowed to exceed 2.998" before trimming, then chamfered and deburrred. OAL = 3.765". The brass/bullet combination has thus far resulted in a neck diameter of .5268" and I expect the next round of loads to be similar.

I will of course report back any results obtained.