CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.
Today I made a gas deflector for my chronograph and tested it. I wanted to get up close to the chronograph, so I would not shoot it with handguns:
38 special
158 gr XTP JHP 0.674" long bullet
1.435" OAL
26.5" long barrel on Remington rolling block No.5 1902 or 1910 model
CCI 450 small magnum rifle primer
11 gr Bullseye
Reference max loads from Alliant:
5.6 gr 38 special +P 1.435" 160 gr [QL 30,531 psi 1417 fps]
6.5 gr 357 mag 1.58" 158 gr JHP [QL 32,803 psi, 1509 fps]
Results:
1,564 fps
leakage around primer
primer did not pierce
Case head just in front of groove grew from 0.371" to 0.381"
Took 15 seconds to pry the case to come out of the chamber... not good for my finger nails.