Roy,
I have tried,
.38 Special with RN RNFP, SWC and WC...
.357 Mag with the same bullet types, all with BP and the gun shoots all of these very well!
These guns just shoot all .357 dia. bullet very well.
I believe the Neal & Jinks Book on S&W that said the full WC was the preferred bullet for best accuracy in the .38-44.
Barns book Cartridges of the World seems to suggest the same, and for the reasons I stated in my earlier message.
With the OAL of the .38-44 case, NO part of the bullet can be forward of the case mouth. The bullet must be flush or below the case mouth. The gun will not function otherwise!
Shorter cases like .38 Special or .357 Mag. one may have bullet forward of the case mouth.
I have hear something about SASS not allowing full WC flush mounted with the case mouth. But, I don't know the reasoning behind this choice.
My best,
Blair