Loading for the Webley Mark IV

PrairieMedic

PrairieMedic

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I've recieved my 38 S&W Dies in the mail, and have some cast lead
bullets to load up. The cast lead's (RN) came in baggies marked 148, but
scale at 156 grains each (with minor fluctuations). In checking my books
there's a wide variety of loads, with the most common powders. Since
this is a super clean, tight Webley 5", anybody have some suggestions
for loading? Or should I start with some Unique?

Thanks,

--PM
 
Use 38 S&W loads in any loading manuel. The brit load used 200 grn lead bullets but unless you cast your own, good luck finding them!

Keep loads moderate, and work up carefully!

BTW, check youe bore, most brit bores are .360 - .361 and the bullets are .358 to .358! Accuracy may be problamatical!
 
Gibbs505,

The barrell looks untouched on this Webley, i'll slug it out and see how tight it is
anyway. The bullet's were cheap, $5/100. I've been reloading awhile, still have
10 fingers, 10 toes, and my weiner, so i've done good so far. :) With factory
146grain Remington's they shoot tight, so I figured this batch of cast offs would
be good performers for an old classic. I'll have to rely on the Pet Loads data,
as my other books don't list much on this archaic cartridge. Lyman's 48th only
lists 2 loads :shock: Whereas several pages are devoted to the subject in the
former. I had hoped somebody had loading data with a similar rig.

Thanks,

--PM
 
Lymans cast bullet handbook, 3rd edition, lists the following for the 158 grn bullet:

bullseye 1.8 - 2.6 vel 730
red dot 2.1 - 2.8 vel 770
green dot 2.1 - 2.9 vel 745
unique 3.2 - 3.7 vel 805
700x 2.1 - 2.6 vel 730
pb 2.3 - 2.8 vel 730
sr-7625 2.4 - 2.9 vel 770
al-7 2.7 - 4.0 vel 754
hs-7 3.6 - 4.5 vel 749
231 1.5 - 2.5 vel 727

Good luck!
 
Well, the 3.0grains of Unique kicks butt. 3.2 get a little tight to drop out. I'm in
around 720FPS on the 3.0 and 780FPS on the 3.2's. Way better than the factory,
and more of a pleasure to shoot vs store bought.

Thanks,

--PM
 
groundskeeper willy,

I'll take the brass off your hands if you don't want it. We'lll have to play dueling
webley's at the next shoot.

--PM
 
NOOO! That brass is PRECIOUS!!!!
I am slowly building up my supply, 50 cases at a time.
When I hit maybe 300 then I will get some reloading gear.
A buddy of mine used to have a 5 gallon bucket full of cases, but threw them out :cry:
I wonder if you couldn't just shorten a .38 Special case to the proper spec and just use those. Sure, it might split the case but who cares. That brass is everywhere.
I wonder if the rim might be too thin though.
But that one guy said he used 9mm and would squash the rim with pliers to form a crude rim. :shock: I don't know if I dare do that though.
If somebody wants to sell me a couple hundred rounds of reloads I would be game.
I got the bug for old military revolvers. I might get an Enfield Tanker .38 next, or maybe a .455.
 
Dia of 38 spec is .379" 38 S&W is .3865" according to my close'st source. Do not do this as there is a possibilty of the base os the case blowing out!
 
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