To revive this discussion:

I loaded up some .38 Specials recently and tested them today. 13.0 grains of 2400, 173 grain Keith SWC cast with my Ideal 358429 mold, CBC (Magtech) brass, Federal SP Primers, crimped in the crimp grove (I don't have the OAL data in front of me).

Here is what I found:

4" S&W 681-3, Ave. 1201 fps, SD 17.48, 554 ft.-lbs. energy

2 1/4" Ruger SP101, Ave. 1096 fps, SD 17.93, 462 ft.-lbs energy

Extraction was slightly sticky, but only slightly. Primers were flattened a little bit, but less than a lot of factory .357 Magnum loads I have fired. Overall, I'd say the load was safe, but I wouldn't want to push it any harder. I think I'm going to load up some with 12 and 12.5 grains of 2400 and see how that effects performance.

With the same bullet, primers, and powder charge in Federal .357 Magnum cases I got these results:

681: Ave. 1028 fps, SD 25.17, 398 ft.-lbs. energy
SP101: Ave. 959 fps, SD 11.24, 347 ft.-lbs. energy

Using .38 Special cases significantly increased performance.

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