.38 S&W (not Special) load data needed

Webleymkv · September 4, 2011, 04:38 PM

A few months ago, I bought a Webley Mk. IV in .38/200 (basically a .38 S&W loaded with a 200gr bullet). Due to both the cost of factory .38 S&W ammo and the fact that it shoots way low in my gun, I'm interested in working up some loads with heavier bullets, specifically 180-200gr to duplicate the original British loading as closely as possible (200gr bullet at approx. 600fps).

Unfortunately, there isn't much load data out there for .38 S&W and what is available is generally in the mouse flatulence category out of deference to weaker top-breaks like old H&R, Iver Johnson, H&A, and the like (while still top-breaks, Webleys and Enfields are purportedly much stronger and can handle the same types of loadings as solid-frame S&W and Colt revolvers in this caliber).

The only loading I've tried thus far has been a 158gr .358" SWC over 2.7gr of Unique with a standard Winchester small pistol primer. While this was accurate enough (luckily my revolver shoots OK with .358 bullets as .360-.361 bullets can be difficult to find) it still shoots low (though not as bad as Remington factory 145gr LRN) and definately seems like a mouse fart (after the first shot with this load, I looked down the barrel to make sure the bullet made it out). If anyone has worked up a good recipe for .38 S&W, specifically one with a 180-200gr bullet, I'd be very interested to hear about it.

jbrown13 · September 4, 2011, 05:03 PM

The Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook, 3rd Edition, has data for a 195 grain lead (#2 alloy) bullet for 9 different powders. Have not tried any of these loads, and only 3 get to 600 fps at max out of a 5-1/2" universal receiver. OAL is 1.175"

Bullseye 1.4 451 1.6 536
700X 1.4 482 1.6 544
Titegroup 1.5 534 1.7 602
N320 1.5 520 1.7 544
231 1.6 489 1.8 550
Unique 1.7 516 1.9 605
SR-7625 1.9 493 2.2 542
AA#5 2.6 513 2.8 581
True Blue 2.2 539 2.6 603

Hope this helps.

crowbeaner · September 4, 2011, 07:27 PM

I shoot an RCBS 38-150-KT sized .360" over 3.3 of Unique in WW brass. It clocks around 710 fps. in a 4 inch gun. Stronger than the factory load, and only in a good, tight, relatively newer revolver. WORK UP!

September 4, 2011, 04:38 PM	#1
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,446	.38 S&W (not Special) load data needed A few months ago, I bought a Webley Mk. IV in .38/200 (basically a .38 S&W loaded with a 200gr bullet). Due to both the cost of factory .38 S&W ammo and the fact that it shoots way low in my gun, I'm interested in working up some loads with heavier bullets, specifically 180-200gr to duplicate the original British loading as closely as possible (200gr bullet at approx. 600fps). Unfortunately, there isn't much load data out there for .38 S&W and what is available is generally in the mouse flatulence category out of deference to weaker top-breaks like old H&R, Iver Johnson, H&A, and the like (while still top-breaks, Webleys and Enfields are purportedly much stronger and can handle the same types of loadings as solid-frame S&W and Colt revolvers in this caliber). The only loading I've tried thus far has been a 158gr .358" SWC over 2.7gr of Unique with a standard Winchester small pistol primer. While this was accurate enough (luckily my revolver shoots OK with .358 bullets as .360-.361 bullets can be difficult to find) it still shoots low (though not as bad as Remington factory 145gr LRN) and definately seems like a mouse fart (after the first shot with this load, I looked down the barrel to make sure the bullet made it out). If anyone has worked up a good recipe for .38 S&W, specifically one with a 180-200gr bullet, I'd be very interested to hear about it.

September 4, 2011, 07:27 PM	#3
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	I shoot an RCBS 38-150-KT sized .360" over 3.3 of Unique in WW brass. It clocks around 710 fps. in a 4 inch gun. Stronger than the factory load, and only in a good, tight, relatively newer revolver. WORK UP! __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

September 4, 2011, 05:03 PM	#2
jbrown13 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: Perry, GA Posts: 105	The Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook, 3rd Edition, has data for a 195 grain lead (#2 alloy) bullet for 9 different powders. Have not tried any of these loads, and only 3 get to 600 fps at max out of a 5-1/2" universal receiver. OAL is 1.175" Bullseye 1.4 451 1.6 536 700X 1.4 482 1.6 544 Titegroup 1.5 534 1.7 602 N320 1.5 520 1.7 544 231 1.6 489 1.8 550 Unique 1.7 516 1.9 605 SR-7625 1.9 493 2.2 542 AA#5 2.6 513 2.8 581 True Blue 2.2 539 2.6 603 Hope this helps. Last edited by jbrown13; September 4, 2011 at 05:05 PM. Reason: Added OAL