Heads up - .360" 200 grain bullets for Webleys & the like.

[chartreuse]

One of the (very many) projects on my to do list has been having a stab at loading some .38/200 rounds for my Webley Mk.IV. The current Lyman book has a load, using mold #358430. Since I don't cast my own, I set about looking for some to buy.

Most of the places selling them were a bit dear (the most expensive was $40 plus shipping per 100). The cheapest I found were $10.50 plus shipping, from the Western Bullet Company, but they were sized to .358" rather than the .360" I was looking for.

This kicked off a long exchange of emails with them (very helpful chap, BTW). To make a long story short, he did a special run of 1000, sized to .360" and I bought 200 of them. So, there's 800 left, at time of writing and they're available on request.

I just thought I'd give folks a heads up, in case anybody else here could use some at this price.

Information

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[jmoore]

Excellent! I think I would like some, but the link shows the regular 0.358" version. Any advice on ensuring the correct bullets arrive w/o duplicating your e-mail string?

[chartreuse]

Excellent! I think I would like some, but the link shows the regular 0.358" version. Any advice on ensuring the correct bullets arrive w/o duplicating your e-mail string?

I think you just email him (using the link at the top of the site) to request the .360" ones, then order as normal from the .358" page and he'll make sure to send the right ones. That's how we did it for mine, though I was careful to specify .360" in the message box of the ordering process.

[jmoore]

There's 400 more gone! If they're good I'll be getting plenty more. Thanks much, chartreuse!

[jmoore]

Those are the nicest, sharpest edged bullets I've purchased in forever! They are BARELY sized, which is good, and fit near on perfectly in a random Enfield No.2 Mk.?'s cylinder throats. Amazing what a couple of thousanths of an inch will do for fit. Drove one through the bore- looks good! (Haven't had time to do more tests, yet.)

It goes against my own advice, but now I must ask if anyone has reliable loading data for these bullets in .38 S&W cases. I don't mind buying another manual, in fact that would be preferable!

ETA: never mind, I reread chartreuse's first post...Off to order a new Lyman Manual- Wait one,...Never mind the "never mind" (train of conscience writing, sort of)-WHICH Lyman manual exactly, I've several different ones, all a w/ a bit different focus. Is it the regular handgun manual or the cast bullet manual?

[chartreuse]

Excellent! Mine arrived yesterday, but I'm bogged down writing a paper, so won't get to play with them for a couple of weeks. Therefore I shall vicariously share your joy.

I have the 49th Edition Lyman Reloading Handbook, which I assume (it's the only Lyman book I own) is the regular one as it has loads for both jacketed and cast bullets.

It has a number of loads for #358430 in a .38 S&W case (and a couple of lighter bullets). One thing - the book calls it a 195 grain bullet, but since the range from start to max is 0.2 grains for most powders (except for True Blue, which they rate the most accurate for this round and has a 0.4 grain spread) I figure that any theoretical adjustment in powder load for the 5gn difference in bullet weight would be less than the sensitivity of my scales. So I shan't worry about it.

It also says two apparently contradictory things:
1. These loads are not recommended for top break revolvers, due to their age and weakness.
2. Bullet #358430 is similar to the British for 380/200 load.

I'm interpreting all that to mean "Don't use these loads in weak American top break revolvers, but you'll be fine with a sturdy British war horse."

[Garandy]

A buddy got some 200gr .360 bullets from this outfit: Beartooth Bullets Home a couple of years back and it looks like they still list them.

If I remember correctly, he had pretty good luck with them.

[jmoore]

Some photos:






This one was driven (carefully!) through a bore- good fitment it appears.

Purchased the 49th Ed. of the Lyman reloading manual, but no True Blue powder in stock at the store that had the reloading manuals. Checked this book against the current Lyman Handgun Reloading Manual, no differences. However, the Lyman cast bullet manual has no listing for this bullet at all!

I'm thinking Unique powder to start, plenty on hand.

[chartreuse]

Purchased the 49th Ed. of the Lyman reloading manual, but no True Blue powder in stock at the store that had the reloading manuals. Checked this book against the current Lyman Handgun Reloading Manual, no differences. However, the Lyman cast bullet manual has no listing for this bullet at all!

I'm thinking Unique powder to start, plenty on hand.

Thanks for the pics. I've had the same problem finding True Blue. I'm under the cosh writing papers until mid-Jan, but if I haven't found some by then I'll probably do the same and try unique - for the same reason!

[TomcatPC]

Hello

The powder I use to load the .380-in Revolver Cartridge is Unique. Does anyone have a load using Unique for this (200 grain lead) bullet? I'd like to get it as close as I can to the original .380-in Mk.I Cartridge.

Also, I understand that the original .380-in Mk.I Revolver Cartridge had a 200 grain lead bullet. However, I was under the impression that before the War started in 1939, the bullet was changed to a 178 grain (or close to that weight) full metal jacket ball bullet. I think this cartridge was called the .380-in Mk.II Revolver Cartridge? With the change in bullet weight were the sights on the No.2, Webley Mk.IV, and S&W M&P "Victory Model" in .380-in revolvers changed for the new cartridge?

Thanks
Mark