.380 question

[stumo]

Just bought an antique (.380 British) bulldog revolver and I'm having a pain trying to find ammo for it, since shooting current ammo would be too hot.
Does anyone know of a similar calibre that it would accept?
I've been told 38 short but I have my doubts.
Or if someone has a line on .380 that's equal to or below 700fps. Would be greatly appreciated

 

[Tex Critter]

The calibre is known in Canada as .38S&W. It is the short one before .38Spl was designed. Factory ammo is quite mild.

 

[BAAC]

Was just looking at reloading data for it last night - in the 2 grains of powder territory. It is a very light load.

Which is a way of backing into my actual point... you can still get all the components pretty easily and reload yourself if you have a hard time finding it.

 

[Ganderite]

Does the cylinder easily come off the revolver?

If so, take it off and take it to the ammo store and see if a 38 S&W will chamber. If it does, that is the ammo you want.

You said "antique". If it is a Webley revolver, it might be a 38 Rook.

If the 38S&W will not chamber, try the 38 Spl. If it goes in all the way, or most of the way, you have a rook.

Standard 38 SPL brass can be used ( or cut down, depending on the chamber) with a mild load (use 38S&W Start data) and the 148 WC hollow base 38 Spl bullet, or the fatter 38 S&W, if you can find one.

Does your revolver look like this one?

A 455 and a rook.

 

[BAAC]

Does the cylinder easily come off the revolver?

If so, take it off and take it to the ammo store and see if a 38 S&W will chamber. If it does, that is the ammo you want.

You said "antique". If it is a Webley revolver, it might be a 38 Rook.

If the 38S&W will not chamber, try the 38 Spl. If it goes in all the way, or most of the way, you have a rook.

Standard 38 SPL brass can be used ( or cut down, depending on the chamber) with a mild load (use 38S&W Start data) and a 38 Spl bullet. The 148 WC hollow base would be best.

That's the voice of experience right there. Thanks for that info.