38 SW bullets

[roba]

Ive shot thousands in a webley mark iv. Used both lee 158 semi wadcutters and 158 rn. I used fairly soft bullets approx lyman #2 alloy and usually 3.5 gr of higgensons sp 83 , 0r 3.8 gr of unique which gave 750 fps. these were accurate . These loads are fairly stiff and i believe they bumped up the bullets nicely. The same loads gave sticky extraction in aS&W victory model so i backed it off to 2.8 grains which was accurate in the S&W but no good in the Webley. I never slugged the bores but I would suspect that S&W just used standard .357 barrels In these revolvers as a wartime expediant

 

[Moe]

Have you actually slugged the bore and found the size of bullets needed?I have a Enfield, Webley and Smith Victory they like 0.359. So regular 38 bullets work well.

Good point. I have a S&W Victory that I load for using regular Campro and Berry's 38/357 projectiles. That old 38 S&W shoots as good as my 38 and 357 revolvers using the same projectiles.

Cheers
Moe

 

[Mulletard]

Good to know, mine is pre victory but I'm definitely going to try some plated or smaller diameter leads in it.

 

[Derv]

I have used 38 S&W from Jet Bullets and really like them. Also, for the bigger cast bullets, 9mm Makarov dies work fantastic for sizing, flaring and seating 38 S&W. If you're only loading cast, I wouldn't bother with 38 S&W dies at all.

 

[cXIII]

How does jet compare with Lee 158 swc mould

 

[yomomma]

How does jet compare with Lee 158 swc mould

For one, Jets bullets are .362 for the british 38S&W, Lee would be .358ish

So you need to know your gun and what the barrel dimensions are

 

[Andy]

When I shot a 38 S&W I used the Lee 90574. Mine dropped at 0.361" and 127 gr from wheelweight. A criticism of Lee is that they don't drop as advertized, but in this case it worked perfectly - unsized and lubed with Alox.