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Salmoneye · June 27, 2013, 07:02 AM

SAAMI .44 Remington Magnum 'Pistol' Pressure Test Barrel dimensions are on page 120 here:

http://www.saami.org/specifications_...wnload/205.pdf

SAAMI .44 Remington Magnum 'Rifle' Pressure Test Barrel dimensions are on page 85 here:

http://www.saami.org/specifications_...wnload/206.pdf

They are not the same dimensionally...

A safe 36,000 PSI cartridge in the Rifle test barrel will have a higher pressure in the Pistol test barrel due to the smaller bore and groove diameters...Will it be 'dangerously' higher?...Who knows...

Ammunition manufacturers understand this, and load their 'factory' rounds to 'Pistol' Pressure Test Barrel dimensions/pressures, with (mostly) .429" bullets...

If this were any other 'handgun cartridge' I would agree fully with you...The .44 Mag is the only 'handgun cartridge' that has separate dimensions and test barrels in their rifle configuration...

My entire point is that the .44 Mag is an animal unto itself, and needs to be treated accordingly if intending to load the 'same' load for Rifle and Pistol...

June 27, 2013, 07:02 AM	#16
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	SAAMI .44 Remington Magnum 'Pistol' Pressure Test Barrel dimensions are on page 120 here: http://www.saami.org/specifications_...wnload/205.pdf SAAMI .44 Remington Magnum 'Rifle' Pressure Test Barrel dimensions are on page 85 here: http://www.saami.org/specifications_...wnload/206.pdf They are not the same dimensionally... A safe 36,000 PSI cartridge in the Rifle test barrel will have a higher pressure in the Pistol test barrel due to the smaller bore and groove diameters...Will it be 'dangerously' higher?...Who knows... Ammunition manufacturers understand this, and load their 'factory' rounds to 'Pistol' Pressure Test Barrel dimensions/pressures, with (mostly) .429" bullets... If this were any other 'handgun cartridge' I would agree fully with you...The .44 Mag is the only 'handgun cartridge' that has separate dimensions and test barrels in their rifle configuration... My entire point is that the .44 Mag is an animal unto itself, and needs to be treated accordingly if intending to load the 'same' load for Rifle and Pistol...