Load for a .38 Webley

DBotkin · August 2, 2007, 08:57 PM

Before I get into extensive playing around, I thought I'd see if someone has been here before. Anyone have a load for the .38 Webley Mk IV, using a commonly available cast bullet - say, 158 grain SWC or LRN - that shoots at or near the original point of aim with the fixed sights? Just curious.

I slugged the barrel of mine using a Laser-Cast .358 SWC, it seemed to be tight but I can't say for certain if the bullet was really swaged in the bore or if it was just the grooves. I'll squish a cut-down slug a little and drive it through to make sure, but I have read that .358 bullets are the right size. That's not what my manuals list for the .38 S&W (it says .361), but I'm not convinced Webley built these to .38 S&W specs anyway.

I just want to have a plinking load that doesn't require holding 6" off target.

Trapper L · August 2, 2007, 09:29 PM

To make these old shooters work as designed, you are going to have to stay with the original ballistics/loading. You are looking for 650'-685'ps out of a 158gr or 145 gr bullet. The following should get you there and please, work up to these loads as the action is weak and these are considered max loads for these old guns.

2.0grs Red Dot under a 158 gr LRN
2.5grs HP38 under a 145 gr LRN

I would agree that the .361 bullets are too large. You'll probably end up having better luck and accuracy with the .358 or .359 bullets.

Wildalaska · August 2, 2007, 09:34 PM

www.gunboards.com has tons of info on Webley.

I am collecting brass. The load I see most on the net are simlar to these:
158 grain LEAD SWC or RN (Lyman #358311 .360" dia)
or .358" bullets for .38 Special.
Bullseye 1.8 gr. 545 (Break Top)
Bullseye 2.4 gr. 695 Maximum
Unique 2.8 gr. 619 (Break Top)
Unique 3.4 gr. 775 Maximum
W 231 2.2 gr. 580 (Break Top)
W 231 2.6 gr. 671 Maximum
AA No. 2 2.6 gr. 664
AA No. 2 2.8 gr. 754 Maximum
AA No. 5 3.3 gr. 675
AA No. 5 3.7 gr. 767 Maximum
AA N100 2.1 gr. 635
AA N100 2.3 gr. 722 Maximum

But see this thread

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/topi...TOPIC_ID=94787

As soon as I run out of ammo, Im loading

WildworthlessandobscureAlaska

August 2, 2007, 08:57 PM	#1
DBotkin Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 302	Load for a .38 Webley Before I get into extensive playing around, I thought I'd see if someone has been here before. Anyone have a load for the .38 Webley Mk IV, using a commonly available cast bullet - say, 158 grain SWC or LRN - that shoots at or near the original point of aim with the fixed sights? Just curious. I slugged the barrel of mine using a Laser-Cast .358 SWC, it seemed to be tight but I can't say for certain if the bullet was really swaged in the bore or if it was just the grooves. I'll squish a cut-down slug a little and drive it through to make sure, but I have read that .358 bullets are the right size. That's not what my manuals list for the .38 S&W (it says .361), but I'm not convinced Webley built these to .38 S&W specs anyway. I just want to have a plinking load that doesn't require holding 6" off target.

August 2, 2007, 09:29 PM	#2
Trapper L Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 804	To make these old shooters work as designed, you are going to have to stay with the original ballistics/loading. You are looking for 650'-685'ps out of a 158gr or 145 gr bullet. The following should get you there and please, work up to these loads as the action is weak and these are considered max loads for these old guns. 2.0grs Red Dot under a 158 gr LRN 2.5grs HP38 under a 145 gr LRN I would agree that the .361 bullets are too large. You'll probably end up having better luck and accuracy with the .358 or .359 bullets.

August 2, 2007, 09:34 PM	#3
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	www.gunboards.com has tons of info on Webley. I am collecting brass. The load I see most on the net are simlar to these: 158 grain LEAD SWC or RN (Lyman #358311 .360" dia) or .358" bullets for .38 Special. Bullseye 1.8 gr. 545 (Break Top) Bullseye 2.4 gr. 695 Maximum Unique 2.8 gr. 619 (Break Top) Unique 3.4 gr. 775 Maximum W 231 2.2 gr. 580 (Break Top) W 231 2.6 gr. 671 Maximum AA No. 2 2.6 gr. 664 AA No. 2 2.8 gr. 754 Maximum AA No. 5 3.3 gr. 675 AA No. 5 3.7 gr. 767 Maximum AA N100 2.1 gr. 635 AA N100 2.3 gr. 722 Maximum But see this thread http://www.gunboards.com/forums/topi...TOPIC_ID=94787 As soon as I run out of ammo, Im loading WildworthlessandobscureAlaska