With revolvers, the gun will likely tell you that you've passed the safety limit when you fire it. Uncommonly loud blast, too much recoil or flash. Brass signs are the same but may exhibit themselves a little differently in a wheelgun. Sticky extraction is the most consistent sign, primer indicators can vary from gun to gun. But flattened primers are never a good sign. :shock:
While you can push a load to the max (or beyond) in a Contender, you'll quickly find that you have gained very little, but accelerated wear and tear by quite a bit. Treat them kindly, and they'll last forever. Abuse them, and you and your gunsmith will get real chummy, as you put his kids through Med school! :roll:
When I was new to reloading I figured if a little was good, a lot was better. I learned a lot about pressure signs quickly, then realized that overloads were hard on the gun, the brass, and the shooter. Maybe I'm just mellowing with age, but my favorite cartridges these days are more likely to be called "Specials" than "Magnums"!
PJ the Slow Learner
