Hi,
I am not trying to sell anybody on anything.
I do reload.
In my .44 Spec Ruger Flattop I have a 250 hardcast that travels at 1050.
That's a boost from traditional factory figures, without getting up near Magnum figures that I don't always need or want.
That gun shoots that load. Period.
In my .44 Mags, I don't want to either inventory two different loads, one full-bore Mag & the other loaded down to .44 Special levels, or deal with changing the sights back & forth.
My various individual Magnums are sighted in for one magnum load in each case, which means the Smith 629 gets a jacketed solid, the Redhawks get a Garrett heavy lead load, and so on.
I do not shoot .38 Specials through my .357s.
If I want to shoot .38s, I use a .38.
No sighting changes, and no crud buildup in chambers that needs to be scrubbed out before Magnum loads can be chambered again.
Just like .44 Spec/.44 Mag.
I've also reloaded for .45-70, and use specific loads for specific rifles.
I don't load light for playing with one rifle & load heavy for serious purposes in the same gun.
One load, one rifle, one purpose, one sight setting.
If I want a heavy 200-grain .30-caliber, I'll find that load for one .30-06 rifle.
If I want a light 30-caliber, it'll be one load in the .308.
And so on.
I am not trying to sell the Ruger.
My preferences are my own.
I'm just stating why the .44 Spec GP appeals to me.
It doesn't have to appeal to the majority, or a Smith fan, or an existing Smith owner of the .44 Mag model compared to the new Ruger.
If you don't want one, don't spend the money.
Denis