I have a model 65 with 4" barrel. I shoot handloads in mine to. But I shoot more of a mid range power loading. I like anything from 6.6grs of Unique up to 7.5grs of Unique. I also use 158gr lead bullets in 357 cases.

I don't have a leading problem at that speed and the bullets are either Lasercast or my Lee tumble lube SWC bullets. They shoot to the sights. I don't know the exact speed but they should be in the 1150fps range. So about what the original 38-40 loads were.

I don't think that gun will ever wear out with those loads. And they are cheap to shoot and have all the recoil I want for a days worth of shooting.