As a brand, Taurus is one of the more obvious choices. Maybe Charter Arms is making some guns good enough to be in the best-under-500 category, but I can't speak from direct experience. That's using the "comparing apples with apples" approach using only list prices of new guns.
If you really want the best revolver under $500, you need to look at used. Smith and Wesson pre-lock and, if possible, pin barrel era revolvers are head and shoulders above most others, but you may have trouble finding one in .357 for under $500. I usually buy the .38 Specials from that era. They're usually under $500, and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that most/many will have another 100 years of moderate use left on them. You may be more likely to find a used Ruger in .357 for under $500 and they may even be more durable. Not everyone loves Rugers - I'm currently trading my SP101 off for a Single action .357 made by the the Taurus company "Heritage".
If I had $500 to spend, though, I'd forgo the revolver buy a second brand new CZ75 BD 9mm. That's IF I could find one for sale. Not a revolver, but it's almost unbelievabe that they still list for under $500. In the last 10 years they've come to be seen almost as much of a classic as the Browning Hi Power or even the 1911.