.500's for Black Powder were typically 340 grain hollow nose or 380 grain solid. I did read somewhere that Westley-Richards even had some that used as light as 300 grain hollow nose.

Holland and Holland did build .500 BP Express rifles meant for 440 grain bullets........ heavier than "standard". This could account for your friends H&H shooting well with the 440 grain bullets.

My Charles Ingram and James Burrow .500 3" Express rifles regulate well with a 440 grain bullet when using "Nitro for Black" loads as in Graeme Wright's book. (not so much with black powder). The Ingram does well with paper patch or grease groove bullets.....The Burrow only likes grease groove bullets.

- Mike

Capt Curl link to Roscoe Stephenson copy of Ross Seyfried "Handloader" article on loading for the .500 Express:
http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat....true#Post317748