Pyrodex load with Webley&Scott .38 S&W

[sandy4570]

Can I safely fire the Pyrodex load through this break top Webley & Scott .38 S&W ?.I have read that the British replaced their .455 Webley with this .38 S&W .The .38 S&W is not fun to shoot and I want to add smoke and flash (and smell) to increase my shooting enjoyment but I don't want to ruine my revolver.

 

[RON in PA]

I have no doubt that you can safely use Pyrodex as a propellant for 38 S&W cartridges in your Webley as the cartridge was originally a black powder cartridge. However if you do use it make sure that you immediately clean the gun after shooting it as Pyrodex residue is very corrosive, much more so than black powder. Also you probably need to use bullets lubed with lubricants for black powder shooting. I'd skip the Pyrodex and use BP instead if you want to go this route.

IMHO it's not worth the trouble, you're not going to see that much of a difference and if you shoot cast lead bullets with wax lubrication there's plenty of smoke.

Face it the 38 S&W is a wimpy round and why the Brits went to it in the first place is a mystery, even though they claimed that it was as effective as the .455 cartridge.

 

[woad_yurt]

Why are you wondering about black powder? Do you prefer the smoke?
If not:
Magtech makes .38S&W ammo that's totally safe for your Webley. It's somewhat lightly loaded, compared to original loads, so that it's safe in old guns. I have an old .38 Webley and I've shot countless hundreds of rounds of Magtech through it without harm. My gun was made by Webley & Son and is at least 120 years old. Webleys are extremely strong so shoot away without fear. Don't sweat it.

Note: If you just like more flash and more smoke, pls. disregard the above.

 

[RandomMan]

Black powder might be cool. Personally, I'd try and work up a load duplicating the old .380/200 load, which I believe is supposed to be 200-grain bullet at between 600-650 FPS. It's still kind of a "wimpy" round, but more along the lines of a 700 FPS 148 grainer from a .38 Special. Plus, if you can get a 200 grain bullet at a consistent 650 FPS you can use it for IDPA Stock Service Revolver.

-Rob

 

[Blacksmoke]

My gun was made by Webley & Son and is at least 120 years old.

-Woad Yurt

You sure about that date? As I recall, Webley Scott did not begin making the Mark IV .38-200 until the late 1930s. Anyway, you are certainly right the Mark IV can handle loads a lot hotter than current factory ammo. I came across some surplus 180 grain FMJs that were more potent. I have been thinking about loading my own with a better bullet and a hotter propellant. Any ideas?

 

[Mike_In_BC]

Pyrodex loads would be no problem. I have shot pyrodex loads, bp loads, and smokeless loads in both .38/200, and .455 with no problems. I also did some with "clean shot" bp substitute. They all worked but were messy as heck, and I had to lube the cast lead bullets in liquid alox. Now I stick to light loads of bullseye or titegroup.

You could also try "trail boss" or whatever those cowboy action guys use.

 

[sandy4570]

Thanks guys for the info .I only have 158 grain RNFP and I will lube them with SPG Lube stick and tried them out.I need the smoke and blast because I am pretending that I am facing Little Bill and his posses in Big Whisky saloon ( I can not afford Schofield right now so this one have to do )

 

[woad_yurt]

Blacksmoke:
It's not a MK IV and it's from before Webley & Scott hooked up in 1897 (P. Webley & Sons.) I got it real cheap because someone lopped off the end of the barrel way back. I've since had a sight added in front. It's probably the best made pistol I own. The guy who added the sight told me that the steel was unusually hard. I'd feel safe shooting 9MM with it if only they'd fit.

 

[Old Fuff]

There have been an number of prior threads on the .38 S&W cartridge and handloading it. Here are three of them that some might find interesting.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=300584&highlight=.360+bullets

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=255646&highlight=.360+bullets

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=248373&highlight=.360+bullets

 

[Ash]

The 320 and 380 were civilian loadings offered in the Webley of that time, as well as the Adams and Tranter.

Ash