Mak .363 dia bullets in .38 S&W

[Deaf Smith]

Guys,

I just got a Webly IV 3 inch pocket pistol in .38 S&W. It was made between 1949 and 1951.

I noticed Mak slugs are .363 diameter and .38 S&W are .361.

Hmmm you think I can handload XTP 95gr Mak JHPs on my revolver?

I have 400 of those slugs and it might be interesting to make ammo that way.

Deaf

 

[GP100man]

That or find someone that has a FAT 38 mold !!

I have a 356402 Lyman that drops a .362 boolit that`s as close as I have

But no sizer that big either .

 

[mgmorden]

Finding a mold that throws wide could be an option, though that might require some trial and error. Lyman and Saeco make sizer dies that will size down to .360". Personally I would probably opt to shoot the 0.001" under diameter slugs rather than 0.002" over diameter, but I doubt either would be unsafe.

 

[SaxonPig]

If you cast you can buy proper molds.

Some bullet makers will size them to .360 for you. Tennessee Valley Bullet sized some for me.

I load 38 S&W for a couple of Smiths and an Enfield and I have gotten good results with regular .357 lead bullets.

 

[woad_yurt]

148 gr, .358" HBWCs....

Try some Speer 148 gr, .358" hollowbased wadcutters. I have a few .38 S&W revolvers* and they all shoot very well with the above-mentioned bullet. It seems that the hollow base opens enough to seal in the gases and grab the rifling just fine.

* One's a Webley, btw.