What is the maxium chamber pressure for Ruger only .44 Mag cartridges?

Answer 1

Rugers are bull-strong guns, but they have the exact same limit as exists for every other factory-produced .44 Magnum firearm, i.e. 36,000 PSI, according to the SAAMI. The industry establishes 40,000 PSI as the maximum, and will honor warranties up to 43,500 PSI as an ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM. 36,000 PSI is 10% less than the maximum pressure the gun will stand before you really start gambling with the integrity of the firearm (sure, the proof loads actually run a lot higher than this, but a gun should experience a proof load just once in its life.) It's not any better in break-open Thompson/Center Contenders, or in the rifles chambered for the cartridge. Disassemble a Marlin 1894 or WInchester 94 for cleaning, and you'll find the locking bolt and chamber present no more metal to contain the cartridge than the revolvers do.

I emphatically suggest that you do not try to assemble loads higher than those found in the reloading manuals. Not unless you have an actual pressure gauge setup . . . reading the primer on straight-walled revolver cartridges won't warn you of approaching trouble like it would on bottle-necked rifle cartridges. Gunsmiths have blown up revolvers on purpose, with loads between 70,000 and 100,000 PSI. When they recovered the case heads, the primers LOOKED PERFECTLY NORMAL.

Stick with the reloading manuals. The .44 Magnum, its standard pressure ceiling, will deliver a 240 grain bullet at up to 1400 ft/sec. If you need more firepower than this, then the .454 Casull would be the gun for you.

Answer 2

While rugers are built to withstand a lot of use, do not make reloads that are higher in powder charge or bullet depth set deeper then listed in reloading data.

As long as you follow your reoading data you will be safe, look for primer craters or smearing as signs of excessive pressures. Also notice the difference in pressure required to remove the empty's from the chamber. Start your loads at the lower powder charge listed and work up to the heavier charges watching for the above.
SAAMI sets the pressures floor for cartridges not for firearms. Ive never heard of difference in pressure in 44 magnum rugers then those of other companys. There is different load data for 45 colt chambered rugers and T/C but this is mostly due to all the older single actions around.

Answer 3

SAAMI (Small Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute) The organization that establishes firearm standards in the United States.
The industry Maximum average pressure for the 44 Magnum is 36,000 psi.

All weapons manufactures adhere to the same standards.
Ruger would discourage any one from exceeding 36,000 psi.
To exceed the maximum pressure would be unwise and could result in damage to the weapon and the shooter.
I hope this was of help.

D58

Answer 4

Not that you're likely to blow up a Super Blackhawk, but why would you push your pressures past 40k just for an extra 50 or 100 fps? Even with a nice powder like H110, you won't be able to add more than a couple of tenths of a grain, and you risk unexpected spikes that'll loosen your revolver, and the game you shoot won't be able to tell the difference.