Mike,

I'm sure that you are an experienced shooter, so I don't want to offend you here; but to satisfy my curiosity, may I ask if you are allowing the gun to rise/roll as it recoils? I always just let my .44s go where they want to, and it eases the jolt considerably. If you were trying to take down a charging bear, you might not have the time to do that; but on the range or under other safer circumstances that's how I recommend that people shoot the large caliber heavy kickers. Utilizing that practice I usually fire around 30 rounds at least when I am using my .44s, without ill effects. But then I don't have a 4" gun; they might behave differently.

Andy