Quote:
Originally Posted by roaddog28
Your model 65 was design to shoot 158gr ammo at about 1100 FPS. I have a model 66 and I shoot ammo that is higher than 140gr and between 1100 FPS and 1250 FPS. This is with a 4 inch barrel like yours. You can probably get away shooting 110gr stuff but I would shoot about 20 rounds and that's it for a range session. You can shoot 357 ammo in a K frame magnum like yours but watch the ammo. Stay with the above recommendation and keep the forcing cone clean as well as the top strap area.
Good luck,
roaddog28
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Having been an LEO during late 70's until 2006 I lived through all this and feel I need to correct a few things. The velocities you list are modern less powerful ammo than was issued back in the 70's to 80's.
158 JHP ammo was loaded to about 1250 fps out of a 4" barrel, not 1100 and was safe to shoot in K frames due, in part, to the longer bullet. The most common duty load back in the day was the 125 JHP at 1450 fps out of a 4" barrel. This is the round that caused all the hub-bub about damage (flame cutting, forcing cone erosion, forcing cone cracking) more powder, more damage caused by hot burning powder. Most 110 grain jhp were not loaded as hot as the 125 and did not cause near the damage. The 110 gr. WWB load is not a hot load when compared to the 125. I put over a thousand rounds of WWB 110 gr, through my 65-2 as well as at least 1500-2000 rounds of 158 jhp, plus an unknown amount of reloads since I first bought it with no damage or noticeable forcing cone wear.
Modern 357 is generally down loaded to avoid these problems. The Remington Golden Sabre for example is loaded to 1250 fps and is safe to shoot in K frames.