Reloading 38 SW for a Webley Mk IV?

[LARscout]

Ive done most of my research in pistol calibers on modern 9mm and 45 ACP loadings.
What can you tell me about 38 SW?
and the Webley Mark IV?

Just bought the pistol on an impulse. Lee makes the dies, so that wont be a problem.
I hear the cartridge is not in wide circulation or production, so what am I limited to loading into the casing once I collect enough of them.
Any specific bullet diameters?


thanks

[joem]

If memory is not faulty the dia is .362". I couldn't find any of that dia but I did find some .361 which I use. They are 170 gr. I also use them in a 1896 colt army (.38 colt) with good results. Brass may be difficult to find but in a pinch you can trim .38 spl to proper length and they will work.

[LARscout]

It wont be too much of a problem for me to buy the actual casings. From what I read, cutting down the 38 Special casing would give me thicker walls at the mouth.
Case life should be longer with a revolver.

.357-.358 bullets is all I could find, maybe gas checks would increase the gas seal.

[Tuna]

The diameter for the .38 S&W is in the .360 range. You can use bullets for the .38 spl in the S&W. If you use the 158 gr. semi-wadcutter you will have to crimp the bullet in the first lube grove so you have enough room for powder in the case. The original loading for the Webley
was a 200 gr. lead bullet and that was changed in WW2 to a 180 gr. FMJ. Your max loads are only going to produce a little over 700 fps with the 158 gr. bullets.

[LARscout]

Thanks.
Its something like 3,000 rnds per 1lb of powder. I'll be using W231, since I also shoot 45 ACP.

The avg powder range seems to be 2.5-3 grs.
Can you tell me anything about the looser fitting bullet (.357) in a .360-ish bore?
I mean are we really looking at something that wont grip the rifling as well or make a good gas seal?
I do plan on going with the basic on hand .357 lead rounds...so is 3/100ths" or .10mm gonna be noticeable accuracy wise?

[emmagee1917]

The Webley was not chambered in .38 S&W , it is in .38/200 . The difference is like the Win 38-55 vs the Win .375 . The cases are the same between the .38 S&W and the .38/200 . .38 Spl cases are too small in OD to work . People who shoot .38 spls in .38 S&W chambers that have been lengthened to use .38 spls. get split cases and/or hard ejection. Your Webley is regulated to use a 200gr .360/.361 lead cast bullet ( S/W victories and Colts from WW2 use .358 bullets of the same weight ) available here
http://www.westernbullet.com/ly3gr13.html
as well as other places.
The powder load is higher than the US .38 S/W , too , as the Webleys , Victories, etc are far strongr than the weak break opens . Think 2.7 of Win 231 range . THIS FAR EXCEEDS .38 S/W DATA !!!!
Start low , work up , don't exceed , not needed , should be at factory 38/200 specs.

[LARscout]

Good link, seems I can buy everything I need there.
thanks

[WHG]

I cast my own bullets, so what I do is cast 158 gr 38 special bullets and don't size them. They come out of the mold at about .360 and work quite well. I load 2.6 gr of Winchester 231 powder and my pistol shoots about 1/2" low at 25 yards.

[joem]

I trimed a bunch of .38 spl cases to .38 S&W length. It's true that I have to make the bell larger. I load on the light side and get quite a few reloads before they split.