cayugad: Indeed, a Ruger. Mine is a Piatta 1858 New Army target model. But it is the same model as the Old Army and is often called that. It is an Italian made revolver and no where near the quality of your Ruger Old Army. So there is no comparison for my loads to what yours will do.
What made you feel you hit it's max load? When I would shoot the revolver, the loading lever would shake loose and come down. Also just the recoil of the charge. Mine lists a max load of 35 grains. I am sure your Ruger can take a much stronger charge.
Why do you like Jim Shockey? I've read nothing but bad things about that powder.I have had excellent luck with the powder. But I do not hunt with the revolver. Not only are they under powered IMO but its illegal because they do not make certain velocity requirements. When shooting JSG there is no swabbing. You never have to break the revolver down to wipe it out. The velocity is very good for the size of the charge. And I have never had a misfire shooting it. Also at the end of the day, I pull the grips off the revolver and can make up some dishwater and clean that revolver very quickly.
I plan to try it hunting. Good luck, get close, and make your shot in the boiler room. Also be a good tracker. I have hunted deer with a center fire .44 mag and even with the power of that revolver, it never dropped deer in there tracks other then one doe I shot between the eyes at point blank range.
A .451" ball?!?! It should be .457" according to Ruger. That's what I'm using and I often get a half moon of lead shaved. It's not much. Once in a while it'll be a circle.That is the differnce between the two manufacturers. Some people do use a .454 ball in the Pietta but I tried them and they are too large for my comfort. With a simple .451 I get a full circle of lead shaved, when loading. I have shot some 200 grain .451 bullets and they did real well.
The conicals I have on hand are some ~190 grn, but I shall be ordering some of Kaido's 240 grn custom bullets.that should work well. I liked the 200 grain because it was heavy, and would have had a lot of smack. I did have to be careful to seat them good and hard.