I just bought a 44, and have dies, etc, on the way. I have reloaded for rifles for three decades, but never for handguns. Are the preasure signs the same? I don't intend to load any higher than my manuals suggest.

Same basics....ease of extraction, primer appearance, start at minimums, follow the recipe, etc...you know the drill!

I've found that over-pressure in a handgun load will show up much sooner with stuck brass in your chambers. You didn't state whether for a revolver or one of those single shot hand rifles. I'm assuming that you're reloading for a revolver and if you stay within the safe norms of the loading manual, you be just fine.

It has been my experience that Remington cases will extract easy with loads that stick Winchester cases. With a dry chamber it takes a heavy load to stick a case. After years of over loading revolvers I decided that if I wanted a rifle to buy one. At normal pistol ranges there is little difference between "hot" and normal; loads.
Good luck!

Thanks guys, I am loading for a Dan Wesson revolver. I have found this to be the single most accurate centerfire revolver I've ever owned. I'm now thinking about hunting elk with it this fall, and maybe even putting a scope in it. Hawkins I can appreciate your insight on pushing the envelope with "hot" loads. If I want more power it makes sense to go with a more powerful round that pushing the limits with high preasures.