In my younger days, I ruined a perfectly good S&W Mod 19 with hot loads ... Brian Pearce, John Taffin, and John Linebaugh are in a different world. They like pushing the limits, especially with 45 Colts and 44 Specials.
As I stated before, the thickness of the metal in the cylinder is just one of many properties of how well it deals with chamber pressure. You can't predict which gun is stronger or if a specific gun will hold up to those heavy loads. You can make a fairly safe assumption ... Maybe a Mod 629 would serve your needs better. Just my opinion.
Good morning, Iowegan. In my younger days, I stretched an as-new 1950 Target, .44 Special, with 225 grain and 240 grain Speer half-jacket loads that would make Elmer cry. I learned a good bit about pressure signs in the process, but paid a dear price.
I guess I've got a bit of experimenter in me, as we know the guns that gave rise to the SAAMI-recommended pressure levels. We know that
those SAAMI levels belong right where they are due to many of those old guns still on the market and in use.
We have a fair idea that the guns and steels we're using today are the product of many good engineers, chemists, metallurgists, physicists...and just plain shooters. And we are aware of the various improvements in frame and cylinder design made by Ruger, Smith, Freedom Arms over the years that safely allow pressure levels in modern weapons that were unheard of years ago.
I allow myself to project a bit of new technology to massage those SAAMI levels in particular guns of my choice...after careful consideration of the various physical parameters of each gun.
I would never push SAAMI for .357 Mag or .44 Mags; I shoot my Redhawk and my model 29 @ 1100 fps.
I DO push SAAMI for .45 Colt in my Rugers and Smiths, as do many reloaders. And I will push .44 Special SAAMI loadings a bit, but only AFTER careful consideration and learning and reading everything I can get my hands on concerning any particular weapon. And there are those folks, whom we've talked about, who have been leading the way. Perhaps it is time for powder companies to have a special section reserved for Ruger, Freedom Arms, Contender, Smith L and N frames
for the .44 Special in a manner similar to what exists now, @ Hodgdon.com for the .45 Colt.
I'm interested in progress, but wary. I'll be 71 tomorrow so I'm slow to act, but not stupid. And I love every second of it, as I'm sure you do also.
And I thank you again for your fine input and contributions.
Sonnytoo