Peter, I am confident that there was no jacketed 38 Special ammo back then and therefore rifling was designed to be optimum for shooting lead bullets, but to me the bigger reason why not to shoot jacketed in these old M&Ps is that they typically register higher chamber pressures than lead. I cannot think of a reason why a Model 1902 would need anything more powerful than HBWC? What else would one use this vintage revolver for other than shoot paper?

I even shy away from standard round nosed 158g loads. 1902s are now 120 years old and springs, parts, barrels, frames have been through who knows what over the decades, so minimum stress is my goal. Parts are very hard to find, so keep it light.

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Gary
SWCA 2515