Reloading for a British Victory in 38/200 SW

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Corporal

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I plan on buying a few hundred rounds in 38 SW with the appropriate casings for my Victory 38 (British). Largely because I just need the brass. I've heard that 38 Spcl brass can be trimmed down to spec but that sounds a bit time consuming at the moment.
Once I have the brass I'll need the appropriate dies (need suggestions). The bullet diameter is .361 so I wonder if I could get away with .357 which is more available.
(I've loaded .452 bullets for a .455 Webley before, didnt find it to be problematic)
Another question is...are these revolvers rated for FMJ bullets?

any help is appreciated.
 
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Cut down .38 special brass will be undersized for the cylinders. It will expand when fired but brass life will be short. I once loaded some .38S&W using a .38 Special sizing die when my original die needed to be replaced and new cases did not last long.

The .38 S&W is identical in dimension to the .38 ACP and the 38 Colt New Police. In fact my Lee sizing die is marked .38 Auto. I prefer the Lee 4 die sets so I can seat and crimp in different stations. My original dies were Hornady, which had a case mouth expanded mounted above the decapping pin (the pin broke which was the reason the die needed replacing). The Lee dies are available everywhere and reasonably priced.

Starline make good new brass for the .38 S&W. I load 148 gn HBWC, either lead or plated, for my S&W Victory and they are accurate!!! .357/.358 bullets would tumble in my .3605 slugged bore.

I load 2.4 gn of ADI/Mulwex AP50N, which according to ADI is an equivalent powder to W231/HP38/AA2/VVN320. It is a pleasant and mild load where the cases fall clean and easily from the cylinder after firing.

Best of luck.
 
Kiwi cop said:
I load 2.4 gn of ADI/Mulwex AP50N, which according to ADI is an equivalent powder to W231/HP38/AA2/VVN320. It is a pleasant and mild load where the cases fall clean and easily from the cylinder after firing.

Best of luck.
Click to expand...

Would 38 ACP dies be a good way to go then? I may have to get a different shell holder. Also do you have a suggestion for a bullet supply or do you cast your own?
 
I would not buy factory ammo just to gain a supply of brass. That will cost a lot, @$25/box 200 will cost you $100. I suggest buying Starline Brass, they are priced fairly and are very high quality. You can buy less than 500 from online vendors or buy 500 or 1000 directly from them. 500 new cases will cost you $90, less that 200 rounds of ammo.
Starline Reloading Brass 38 S&W

38 Caliber - S&W Brass - Small Pistol - Brass Cases

As for dies, since I don't load for the 38 S&W every day I didn't go for very expensive dies. I bought a set of Lee carbide dies which come with the shell holder and they have produced very good ammo for many years now.
Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 38 S&W - MPN: 90569

Lee Precision Carbide 3-Die Set .38 Smith & Wesson

Bullets are not all that hard to come by. Matt's Bullets sells 200gr bullets for loading 38/200 ammo and a fair price. I shoot them and they are a good product.
38 Cal. (38 S&W) : Matts Bullets

I hope this helps...
 
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Corporal said:
Would 38 ACP dies be a good way to go then? I may have to get a different shell holder. Also do you have a suggestion for a bullet supply or do you cast your own?
Click to expand...

You will need the number 1 (Lee) shell holder which is only a few dollars.

The last 1000 plated projectiles I bought were CanPro, imported here from Canada. Before that I was using Zero lead bullets. Midway have some plated HBWC projectiles at not too bad a price (I was thinking of getting some while I am in the US in a couple of months) as do other online retailers.
 
Surprised no one has said "welcome" yet...done :).

The standard British WW II military load for the .38 S & W had a 173 gr jacketed bullet, so either those or a plain lead one will do for yours. If you plan on shooting it a lot reloading makes sense; current factory ammo runs about $20 per 50.
 
Thanks a lot gents. I did just come across .361 bullets, fairly priced as well. I'll go with your suggestions. I was afraid I had come across another obsolete caliber for which Id have to convert brass and size down bullets.
 
Starline brass is 500 pieces for $90 postpaid. If you don't want that much, Midway has 38 S&W brass in lots of 100, for a bit under $18 plus shipping. I personally would not fool around shortening 38 Special brass, but that is a personal decision.

I believe Super 38 dies work. I want to say mine are marked as also for 38 S&W. While Lee dies are vilified by some, their low cost recommends them for limited use rounds such as this.
 
I have had very good luck with mine with lead bullets of either a cup base or hollow base in .358. I have found both the 148 HBWC and 158 Semi to do just fine. Getting the correct .361 bullets if not impossible but is difficult. Dies and brass are available without a lot of hassle. If you plan on actually shooting it a bit might as well get the correct dies. They don't cost that much.
 
Check out Matt's Bullets for 0.361 cast bullets. I bought some when I started loading for a Webley 38 S&W. Like others have said: Just go with the right dies, cases and bullets. 38 S&W isn't so obsolescent that you have to cut corners to shoot it.
 
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