From Lyman #49 manual, page 119, bottom of first column; heading "Maximum Load Grains".
Hidden cleverly (last sentence in top paragraph in second column, continued from first column) in that section is the sentence: "Never use any maximum charge without carefully working up to it from the Suggested Starting Grains."
This warning (which may or may not have identical wording but the same conceptual essence) appears in all the other loading manuals I can remember.
Also.
Every loading section specifies the case, primer, powder and bullet - weight and 'type' - used in the load. Every loading section identifies the type of firearm or test mechanism used.
Then, in the same basic chapter of the loading manual - the boring front part with all the words - is the warning of substituting components; and the advisory to begin developing a load from the bottom up all over again.
It should be understood when using one's one firearm INSTEAD of the one specified in the loading data section, one has in fact substituted a component.
The short answer is yes. Sometimes the published load is over the limits in a specific firearm under the conditions. Similar to CFullgraff, I've had at least one load where I quit at lower than the published maximum. Velocity was acceptable and the report and recoil were all I wanted. I don't think another tenth of a grain would blow up, but I didn't see any point in doing it.
If any of you haven't already, read the boring part of the reloading manual. There's a good deal of information and answers in there.