ANyone loading for the Bulldogs

[Dai.S.Loe]

I have scored 4 of these revolvers in the past 3 months.

They all need a bit of work but as I have just been made redundant I will have a bit of spare time.

1 x .32 S&W
2 X .38 S&W ( 1 Belgian made and 1 F&W)
1 x .44 ??

I am not sure yet what the parent case for the .44 is as I do not have it yet. I am guessing .44 Webley (.420)

Where do I gather information on the .38 S& W and the .32 S&W.
Bullet mould, brass etc.

Any reloading advice for any of these revolvers would be greatly appreciated.

We are not allowed short barreled pistols here in NZ unless they are on a collectors licence. Anything on a collectors licence is not allowed to be fired. Yeah right.


These pistols are all in a rough condition cosmetically so I will be restoring them. Already been in touch with a plating company who will do a re nickle job for me. Used them before and have been impressed with their work.

Chris

[44caliberkid]

The 32 is easy.  Loaded ammo and brass is still being made.  You can use any bullet mold for 32 acp, just use blackpowder lube.  The 38 S&W still has brass available too.  The bullet is a harder find.  It uses a .363 diameter bullet of 200 grains.  An original mold might be found but it would be an antique.  I use a regular .358 mold of 150 grains SWC, cast pure lead and black powder lube.  I load both cartridges with 3F black, enough to fill the case up to the bottom of the bullet with no or very little compression.
   I don't know what the regulations are as far as mailing empty brass to NZ, but there is plenty available if it's legal.  I use my 38 special dies for reloading.  It slightly undersizes the case but it still works.  Dies are still made for 32 S&W, which also can reload 32 ACP.
   Can't help you on the 44.

[Dai.S.Loe]

I have, since posting here, been on the interweb.

Getting brass to NZ is no problem. I have family over there who send me bits and pieces. Recently a friend sent me 200 38-55 brass and a mould with no problems.

I am jumping the gun here a bit as the NZ police still have to approve my collectors licence before I can import the 2 x .38's and the .44 from the US. I also cant take possesion of the .32 being held here in NZ until I have the licence.

From reading on the internwet the .44 is probably a .44 Webley (.442) , Found a mould that casts a heel base bullet at 220 gns.

Apparently .44 Webley brass can be obrtained or made. It is just a matter of looking for it.

I thank you for your assistance. Very welcome.

Keep it coming anyone else.

Chris

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Dai;  I found that .32ACP dies were a lot cheaper, and easier to find than .32S&W dies.  Just use a 9mm Luger shellholder.

.38S&W can be sized with 9mmLuger dies adjusted way up, just so the case will securely hold a bullet.  The use of .38 Spl dies also seems feasible for the same effect.  A .38 Spl shellholder works.  I found a cheap .38 bullet lube-sizing die at a gunshow.  A gunsmith honed it out to .360, which worked without making a new "bullet plunger" (whatever its called?)  Another easy solution is to find a 140-145 gr. .38 cal. bullet mould and use the result unsized & pan lubed. If all you can find come out at .358 or .359, as said above cast them a bit soft and don't worry about it. I found that the 120gr 9mm Lyman mould worked unsized - just, but wasn't accurate.  Heavier .38 Spl bullets in the 150-158 gr range will likely work, but I've only used them in a .38-200 Victory model, and in a military Webley.

I have no experience with the .44 Webley, but PJ Hardtack or Rattlesnake Jack probably have.

[Dai.S.Loe]

Thanks for that Sir Charles.

Been away for a long while.

Job life and health all conspired against me.

I have bitten back and am shooting again.

Chris

[Springfield Slim]

www.biglube.com has 6 cavity moulds for the 110 grain 38 bullet that casts at .360. Works well in all my 38 S&W pocket pistols, the bullet is slightly larger than most 38 special bullets and holds more BP lube. Best to use a real 38 S&W die set, otherwise you will end up making everything too small again. I use my 32 acp dies for making my 32 short pocket pistol ammo, works fine.

[Dai.S.Loe]

www.biglube.com has 6 cavity moulds for the 110 grain 38 bullet that casts at .360. Works well in all my 38 S&W pocket pistols, the bullet is slightly larger than most 38 special bullets and holds more BP lube. Best to use a real 38 S&W die set, otherwise you will end up making everything too small again. I use my 32 acp dies for making my 32 short pocket pistol ammo, works fine.

Thanks, this is what I was hoping would be posted as replies.

Both of you have been great

Chris

[Drydock]

Lee makes a Makarov round nose mold that drops at .365, 95 grains.  Fun bullet over BP in my .38 S&W Lemon Squeezer.