38/200 Load Data

[ArchAngelCD]

I have several loads I have used and tried hard to find all the 38/200 data I can but as anyone who has looked knows, it's not easy to fine.

I just bought 2 new 200gr bullets and want to give them a good try. Like I said, I have a few loads to try and have shot with a different 200gr bullet but I'm wonder what others here are shooting.

If you would, can you tell me what powders and loads you are shooting in a 200gr 38 S&W? I have a good number of powders but have found W231 to work best for me. Any help would be great even if it just verifies my choices. Thank you.

Oh yeah, these will be shot in a strong Enfield revolver.

 

[GooseGestapo]

IIRC, their was a flourish of interest on this a couple of years ago.
Mike Venturino wrote an article in Handloader magazine about it.
Seems 2.5gr of Bullseye or 2.7gr HP38 or #231 gave about 585fps from a 4”bbl Enfield. Duplicates British military load using 178gr metal case bullet.

NOT the same as the 200gr .38spl Police load (~700fps).

There were also inquiries over at S&W forum.

 

[25-5]

In my No2 Mk1 I use 2.6 gr W231 or 2.3 gr Titegroup. The Tightgroup load I worked up myself, however, in either case the responsibility for safe use is yours. I would not suggest either load for US top breaks.
I weigh each load as opposed to the dump method.
.361, 200 gr Matt's lead RN is my bullet choice.
I have had no issues, and the inspected fired cases and primers are fine.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have had no issues, and the inspected fired cases and primers are fine.

You would blow up your gun before you see signs of excessive pressure in the primers.

 

[Walkalong]

By the time you see pressure signs on primers and cases in low pressure rounds like this you are way over pressure for the round.

Seems 2.5gr of Bullseye or 2.7gr HP38 or #231 gave about 585fps from a 4”bbl Enfield. Duplicates British military load using 178gr metal case bullet.

NOT the same as the 200gr .38spl Police load (~700fps).

I do not shoot a 200 Gr in .38-200 AKA .38 S&W, but this sounds like a safe load. I am running a plated 158 at just under 700 FPS and consider it max. I would definitely start lower. I bulged a couple of cases near the base working up a load, it gets to be too much real fast with fast powders and limited case capacity.

W-231 is a little slower than Bullseye, so that gives you an idea. A 200 Gr lead bullet at 600 FPS sounds like a good spot to be.

 

[mcb]

I have loaded Matt's Bullets 200gr bullets in a 38/200 type load for my Webley Mk IV (5-inch barrel).

I tried two different powders, Bullseye and Herco. Herco was better in my experience.
-----------
Bullet: 200 Grain Long Round Nose Webley MK I (.361) Matt's Bullets
Overall Length: 1.230 inch
Case: Magtech 38 S&W once fired
Primer: Federal Small Pistol
Powder: Alliant Bullseye

Charge: 1.8 gr
Avg Vel: 480.1 fps

Charge: 1.9 gr
Avg Vel: 543.1 fps

Charge: 2.0 gr
Avg Vel: 557.5 fps
-----------
Bullet: 200 Grain Long Round Nose Webley MK I (.361) Matt's Bullets
Overall Length: 1.230 inch
Case: Magtech 38 S&W once fired
Primer: Federal Small Pistol
Powder: Alliant Herco

Charge: 2.3 gr
Avg Vel: 564.1 fps

Charge: 2.4 gr
Avg Vel: 576.0 fps

Charge: 2.5 gr (<---This is the load I am using and replicates the original Mk I load pretty closely)
Avg Vel: 599.4 fps
------------

All the velocities are 6-shot averages, chronographed about 10-12 ft from the muzzle. I have since switch to Remington cases as I got a deal on some factory 38 S&W and found the brass to be much nicer to work with than the Magtech but that was the brass I was using to work up the loads.


Hope that helps