Ive had an Old Model Flattop 44 Mag with a serial # under 6000 for over ten years now, and its the big iron I cut my teeth on reloading and especially casting. Yes, its a Blackhawk. Yes, its in very good condition. But I sometimes loose sleep loading 44 Mag loads under H&G 503 bullets filled with copious amounts H110 and 2400 being its 66 years old.
As these guns age, should we start backing off heavy loads? Is it time to run specials through this old model and purchase a newer/ new super Blackhawk, or will these Old Models take 21 grains of 2400 under 250!grain cast bullets for a century?