38 S&W

Started by cpt dan blodgett, July 15, 2022, 08:29:06 PM

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cpt dan blodgett

Anyone out there loading equivalent to the Brit 38/200 load.  Have A2, A5, Red Dot and Unique available.
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Baltimore Ed

I loaded some up in 2019 using 3.3 gr of Clays and a 125 gr rnfp for a Police Positive and a S&W Victory. Not sure how that compares with the British load.
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I load it for a 200gr round - duplicating the issue load - using it, the Enfield/Webley/S&W British-issue revolvers shoot to point of aim.

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Drydock

Great read: https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?241578-Fun-with-a-Webley-Mark-IV-38-200-AKA-38-S-amp-W-AKA-380-Rimmed

FWIW I run an Accurate 36-190t over 3 grains of Unique, in a Webley MK IV.  Does a dandy job on armydillers.
Civilize them with a Krag . . .

Johnson Barr

Matt's Bullets casts 200gr. bullets for the .38/200 loads.
"Peace is that glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading"  -Thomas Jefferson

cpt dan blodgett

Ended up getting Western Bullet Co Lyman 358430  200 Grain Round Nose.   Actually in the lyman Cast bullet handbook says 1.9 grain unique sends them at 605 which should be pretty close to the original 38/200 load.  Also finally got 200 pieces of starline 38 S&W brass off the wire at about same price as from starline so just need to get out and load some up and take to the range and see if they shoot anywhere near point of aim from my Webley Mk iv and my Colt police positive
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cpt dan blodgett

Well finally got around to loading some 38 S&W 200.  Having put the 200 pieces of brass I purchased off the wire I have confirmed the law of lost objects.  Having totally forgotten the safe place I put the brass I tried to turn the house upside down.  Got really tired and nearly pulled a muscle in my back in the attempt.  Broke down and ordered 500 pieces from starline for 112 and free shipping.  Got them in about 2 days the next morning while looking for something else that was in a safe place in the garage found the original 200 pieces.  On a whim looked in the western powders loading manual and surprise surprise they had data for A2 which I shoot in all my cowboy guns and also GAF across the course rifles.  Max load was 2.3 grains, settled on 2.2 for a starting point.    Have several loaded up will test in at EOT on stage 13-14 with my lab radar.  Don't really care about velocity as long as in safe range.  Am actually more interested in having both my Webley Mark IV 5 inch and my Colt Police Positive 4 inch shoot reasonably close to point of aim.  The webley is about 4 inches low with factory 146 grain ammo.  Have not shot the colt as of yet.

My original plan was to use some of the single pound of unique I have had for about 4 years.  Have not been able to find more in at least 2.5 years.  Think I may use it in my 16 guage if the longshot I purchased does not do well.   Was quite happy the western manual had A2 and A5 data.
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Sir Charles deMouton-Black

Cpt Dan,; in a pistol, a heavier bullet will always shoot higher than a lighter one. Going to a 200 grain bullet will almost certainly bring the poi back up to the sights.
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cpt dan blodgett

Quote from: Sir Charles deMouton-Black on February 13, 2023, 10:34:57 AM
Cpt Dan,; in a pistol, a heavier bullet will always shoot higher than a lighter one. Going to a 200 grain bullet will almost certainly bring the poi back up to the sights.
that is the hope, from you keyboard to the ballistic God's ear
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Major 2

This thread started my thinking,
   a couple of years ago I purchased a British Enfield MK II Revolver. 
It's a 1943 manufacture with a Canadian broad arrow mark. No other import marks.

The Cyl. throat Mic's @ .361 and the bore is bright with strong riffling.
I have shot it with .38 S&W, I have on hand for my 1919 Colt Police Positive.

Bunk sent me some primed 38 special cases cut down to 38 S&W/ short length.
I'm giving Matt's bullets a call to order

200 Grain Long Round Nose Webley MK II (.361)
This bullet copies the profile of the British MK II bullet for the Webley and similar revolvers chambered for the 38/200 cartridge (38 S&W)
Choice of powder will be Trailboss looking for + or -750 FPS 
Pays to proofread 650 fps was typed... I knew that I blame fat fingers  ::)

Doh  :o  I also know it's an Enfield  I cut and pasted  British WEBLEY MK II #1 Revolver from Matts web page
when planets align...do the deal !

Drydock

That's an Enfield No. 2 revolver.  Spec was 650 or so fps. 750 might be a little hot.
Civilize them with a Krag . . .

Major 2

Yeah  I should have proof read,,, now edited thanks :)
when planets align...do the deal !

Drydock

I've got an earlier No. 2, (1933) still has the Hammer Spur.  Stamped to the 2nd Devonshire regiment.  No out of service nor export marks.  Like to think some British officer swapped it for a Yanks 1911 after the shooting stopped.  Also have a PP just like that one.  If they could make that frame size and weight in 9mm, what a pocket arm that'd be!  Though for a handloader the 380/200 can be mighty effective.

Somewhere in time someone filed down my No. 2 front sight for the S&W 145 grain loading.  I've got a Webley MK IV that still has the taller front sight for the heavy bullet.
Civilize them with a Krag . . .

Johnson Barr

Be aware that .38 Special cases have a smaller outside diameter than .38 S&W. Your cut down Specials will 'bulge' to the .38 S&W chamber or possibly split at the case mouth upon firing.  That's assuming you can force .363 bullets into a .358 case mouth.
"Peace is that glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading"  -Thomas Jefferson

Drydock

Civilize them with a Krag . . .

Major 2

It was my understanding...mine was Canadian issue, as it has the broad arrow stamp
( like yours, No out of service nor export marks )

I was told by the seller,  Liberty Tree Collectors in Bangor, ME.  it was from a collection to Canadian militaria artifacts  :-\
I bought the gun not any story, but it seemed likely. 
  No other provenance, except the date of manufacture 1943. 
when planets align...do the deal !

Major 2

Quote from: Johnson Barr on February 19, 2023, 11:55:53 AM
Be aware that .38 Special cases have a smaller outside diameter than .38 S&W. Your cut down Specials will 'bulge' to the .38 S&W chamber or possibly split at the case mouth upon firing.  That's assuming you can force .363 bullets into a .358 case mouth.

I have 38 S&W cases as well, but I hoped to use Bunks cut downs ,
baring that I'll use them up with heel based bullets for my 36 cal conversion
when planets align...do the deal !

Major 2

  My 200 grain Matt's bullets were delivered last week.
I've given up hunting my 38 S&W dies  ::)  I know they are around here somewhere.
   I also know I'll find my missing set when I spring for the new set...
when planets align...do the deal !

RoyceP

I got 200 grain RNL bullets from both Western and Matt's last week for my 1941 Enfield. Loading them over 1.8 grains of Unique - it's almost the lightest powder load I have ever used. I plan to go to the range on Tuesday to try it out.

cpt dan blodgett

Quote from: Major 2 on March 14, 2023, 10:20:58 AM
  My 200 grain Matt's bullets were delivered last week.
I've given up hunting my 38 S&W dies  ::)  I know they are around here somewhere.
   I also know I'll find my missing set when I spring for the new set...
If you have a set of 9mm makarov dies they work in a pinch
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