In the 80's I thought everything I shot had to be "magnum". I shot hundreds of 44 magnums loaded with 22 grains of 2400 and magnum primers. All these in a 4" 29-2 (that I still have). Too much for me now, both in recoil and wear and tear. But, my 29 is still tight and still shoots better than I do. I don't think the factory .44 magnums are loaded as hot now as in the past. Maybe just me. Bill