Loading .38 S&W for a Mk. IV Webley

[willisned]

I recently inherited a Mk. IV Webley in 38/200, which I have discerned is the same as .38 S&W. My question is, can I use .38 Special cases and cut them down to .38 S&W length? And if so, can I then just adjust my .38 special dies to reload 38 S&W, or do I need to buy a new set of dies?

Any help in this subject would be greatly appreciated.

[WileyWilly]

I have been told no, they will split when fired.
Also bullet diameter is different, .357 vs. .361; they will rattle down the bore.
.38 S&W dies are different than .38 special.

[wtkaiser]

Speer 11 says no. I quote - 'the 38 S&W case is a larger diameter than the .38 Special and they should not be shortened and substituted for them. They will nearly always split the case upon firing.' We're talking .001" according to the same manual (.380 for the S&W vs .379 for the special). Rim diameter is the same. Rim thickness is .055" for the S&W vs .058 for the special. So it sounds to me like "well, you could try it, but it's a poor bet".

Get new dies. Sorry

[willisned]

Thanks for the info, looks like I'll have to be buying some new brass and dies...

[wtkaiser]

Seems to me a HBWC should slug up to fill the bore nicely. I almost had a S&W in that calibre. I dearly wanted it because I do seem to enjoy the oddballs. I was all ready to buy dies and load for it.
Speer 11 also had some JHP loads for it. According to that book (I have it right in front of me) you can get a 110 gr speer jhp up to over 1000 fps wth 5.1 grains of Unique! That's a max load, though, and in an older manual. "To be approached with caution". (Somehow, the idea of caution is a .38 S&W is mildly funny to me).
It probably reaches that speed because there's so little friction!

[CSACANNONEER]

I have used 38S&W brass with soft lead .358 bullets and had them work fine in MY GUN. But, I recommend slugging your barrel or just loading a few rounds to test them before doing a big run that will keyhole.