38 s&w

Canuck44 said:
Ganderite what got me on to it happened by chance. The gun in question was a hand me down for one of our members. Someone in his family had taken a file to the front sight reducing it's height by half. The gun shot about a foot high using 38S&W factory and my initial loads using a 158 gr bullet. Too, the gun mechanically is in great shape, unfortunately the exterior looks like it was left out in the rain for a month. I ended up going to a 125 gr bullet unsized meant for the 9MM. With the load I developed the gun now shoots point of aim. The owner does not want to spend any money on the gun and is happy with the load I developed. The gun grouped well enough which got me thinking about the bore and the rest is history.

I would not be surprised if some of these early guns went out with 38spl barrels due to the need for quantity back in the early 40's.

My problem is I am chasing PPQ's at the moment so my gun funds are dissipating rather quickly I am afraid. If a Model 10 comes up in the spring I maybe tempted. My bucket list contains a Victory Model with a new 38spl cylinder installed. Using 38spl brass I suspect one could have some fun chasing a load using 200 gr Lyman molds. Doesn't make much sense but then our hobby hardly needs to make sense.LOL

Take Care

Bob
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I checked my Smith. Barrel is actually bigger than my Webley...
 
I just worked up some loads for mine a couple of months ago. This is the best that I have at the moment:

Bullets: Hornady .38 Cowboy action .358 diameter knurled, dry lubricated.
Primers: CCI Small Pistol.
Powder: Hodgson Universal (not Clays)
Powder Charge: 4.0 grains
Cartridge length 1.1 inches
Dies: Lee Carbide 9mm Luger
Shell holder: Lee Universal #1; RCBS #6; Redding #12 or Lyman X-21

Note: These require a very firm crimp; as with all revolvers, recoil can cause the bullets to back out and jam the cylinder if they are not firmly crimped in place (first batch of mine did).

The 9mm dies work fine; nice external fit in the cylinder of my Webley Enfield. I have recovered a couple of the bullets and they have strong rifling marks on them; but they could stand to be a couple of thousands larger. If you do find a tighter bullet, drop back to about 3.3 grains and work your way back up. The four grains of universal with these bullets is not a light load, but it is no +P load either. Comfortable for the Webley.
 
I'm also looking to start loading .38 S&W for my Victory Model.

I've heard .38 Super dies work as well. Or, more specifically, I've heard Hornady makes .38 S&W dies that are just relabelled .38 Super.
 
maxman1 said:
I'm also looking to start loading .38 S&W for my Victory Model.

I've heard .38 Super dies work as well. Or, more specifically, I've heard Hornady makes .38 S&W dies that are just relabelled .38 Super.
Click to expand...

Yes, they should work, but you will need a different shell holder; .38 Special should work.
 
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