lewwallace
Member
and expensive as all get out!
Webley .38/200?
- Thread starter Panzerschwein
- Start date
- Status
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Both the Webley and Enfield revolvers are good guns. I like the 38/200 and I actually load up some 38/200 ammo just because it's cool to shoot them in those revolvers.
bannockburn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 26,308
lewwallace
Wow that's a great collection of Webleys! Thanks for the family photo!
Wow that's a great collection of Webleys! Thanks for the family photo!
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
Thanks so much all.
I think I'll seek out a .38 Webley.
I think I'll seek out a .38 Webley.
kBob
Member
Anyone know anything about Spanish Copies of the .38-200 Enfield/Webleys?
Don't have one, but when I was about 12 a 16y/o I knew did. His folks let him keep it in his room along with 100 rounds of ammo in his top left desk drawer along with his Mauser .25 auto ( "oh, no! Kids with guns!") His folks checked on the guns and ammo on occasion but did not seem too worried about them. Having only a .22 rifle and ammo in my own room I was impressed with the centerfire handguns.
As to Lee Loaders, I started with one for .45 ACP and spent many hours sitting on a buddy's back steps hammering out cheap ammo. Even bought some premium bullets so as to make premium ammo for surplus ammo prices. Time I had, money I did not. Eventually a family member gifted me an ancient Lyman single stage press and the Lee went into retirement. I still have it and come to think of it that might be a better way to introduce the kids to reloading themselves than my table mounted stuff.
I used to practice with a .455 Webley that was cut using .45 ACP 200 grain SWC and a load that barely cycled the stock springed Series 70 Mark IV. I did keep a pair of half moons loaded with which ever hotrod HP I was using in my semi autos for use as defensive rounds. I occasionally shot them up in the top break.......now I know better.
-kBob
Don't have one, but when I was about 12 a 16y/o I knew did. His folks let him keep it in his room along with 100 rounds of ammo in his top left desk drawer along with his Mauser .25 auto ( "oh, no! Kids with guns!") His folks checked on the guns and ammo on occasion but did not seem too worried about them. Having only a .22 rifle and ammo in my own room I was impressed with the centerfire handguns.
As to Lee Loaders, I started with one for .45 ACP and spent many hours sitting on a buddy's back steps hammering out cheap ammo. Even bought some premium bullets so as to make premium ammo for surplus ammo prices. Time I had, money I did not. Eventually a family member gifted me an ancient Lyman single stage press and the Lee went into retirement. I still have it and come to think of it that might be a better way to introduce the kids to reloading themselves than my table mounted stuff.
I used to practice with a .455 Webley that was cut using .45 ACP 200 grain SWC and a load that barely cycled the stock springed Series 70 Mark IV. I did keep a pair of half moons loaded with which ever hotrod HP I was using in my semi autos for use as defensive rounds. I occasionally shot them up in the top break.......now I know better.
-kBob
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
Guys I went and done did it.
Today I won a nice Mk IV on Gunbroker. Advertised as excellent condition, late 1960s early 1970s manufacture.
Can't wait to get it! I'll let everyone know as soon as I can how it is.
Today I won a nice Mk IV on Gunbroker. Advertised as excellent condition, late 1960s early 1970s manufacture.
Can't wait to get it! I'll let everyone know as soon as I can how it is.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Don't forget the rules, pictures are required lol...Guys I went and done did it.
Today I won a nice Mk IV on Gunbroker. Advertised as excellent condition, late 1960s early 1970s manufacture.
Can't wait to get it! I'll let everyone know as soon as I can how it is.
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
Here is a picture of the Webley Mk IV I won:
It seems to have a lighter gray finish to it. This gun dates to about 1970 so is a late production example.
Does anyone know if this light gray finish is authentic?
It seems to have a lighter gray finish to it. This gun dates to about 1970 so is a late production example.
Does anyone know if this light gray finish is authentic?
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
Upon searching for proprer .38/200 ammo for this gun, I came across this:
http://mattsbullets.com/ammunition/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=4
This company, Matt's Bullets, sells loaded 200 grain Mk I .38/200 rounds. Very interesting. Pricey, but I'll buy a box to carry on the trail for possible defensive use. I have read this was an effective stopper, performing better than the later Mk II 176 grain FMJ load.
I also plan to get a Webley lanyard and a repro canvas holster for the gun. This should make a nice woods carry setup, and those 200 grain cartridges should be enough for anything I'd likely run into here in northeast Kansas.
I've recently been promoted and this is my present to myself. I can't wait!
http://mattsbullets.com/ammunition/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=4
This company, Matt's Bullets, sells loaded 200 grain Mk I .38/200 rounds. Very interesting. Pricey, but I'll buy a box to carry on the trail for possible defensive use. I have read this was an effective stopper, performing better than the later Mk II 176 grain FMJ load.
I also plan to get a Webley lanyard and a repro canvas holster for the gun. This should make a nice woods carry setup, and those 200 grain cartridges should be enough for anything I'd likely run into here in northeast Kansas.
I've recently been promoted and this is my present to myself. I can't wait!
kBob
Member
Nice looking gun. Thanks for posting it. Now the question: Can you ever shoot it without the strains of "Men of Harloche" running through your head?
-kBob
-kBob
bannockburn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 26,308
kBob
I believe it's the Welsh marching song, "Men of Harlech", that you're referring to. Great movie by the way!
I believe it's the Welsh marching song, "Men of Harlech", that you're referring to. Great movie by the way!
I would suggest you slug the barrel before you start reloading. Matt's .361 work very well in my '39 Enfield. However, not so at all for the '29 Webley which slugged out at .357. I use .358 158gr SWC Missouri Bullet with great result for that pistol. The factory ammo measures .357 or .358, so start there, and accumulate brass as well. The Hornady .38 S&W die set is not good.
For powder I like W231 and Titegroup. I measure each rather than dump.
For powder I like W231 and Titegroup. I measure each rather than dump.
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
I don't know much about reloading, but I might buy a cheap reloading setup just for this cartridge. It's the only caliber I'll own that is kind of expensive for factory ammo.
kBob
Member
You might consider the Lee Breech Lock Hand Press Kit. Sort of a nut cracker affair you use in your hands without having to mount it anywhere.
They run about $75 and a set of Lee carbide .38 S&W dies cost about $45. So call it $120 and shipping. Admittedly the steps involving powder can be a PITA but again you don't have to have a table mounted press and when you are not using the Lee Breech Lock Hand Press Kit and the dies they all fit neatly back in their boxes and fit in a shoe box with room for other stuff.
Just something to think about if you plan to shoot a lot with .38 S&W ammo.
-kBob
They run about $75 and a set of Lee carbide .38 S&W dies cost about $45. So call it $120 and shipping. Admittedly the steps involving powder can be a PITA but again you don't have to have a table mounted press and when you are not using the Lee Breech Lock Hand Press Kit and the dies they all fit neatly back in their boxes and fit in a shoe box with room for other stuff.
Just something to think about if you plan to shoot a lot with .38 S&W ammo.
-kBob
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
Thank you so much, Kbob. Since I live inside of a city apartment, I don't think a bench mounted press would work for me. I will definatly take your recommendation into consideration.
Ive used a bench mount type press bolted to a piece of 2x10 board, and C clamped to the kitchen table for part time reloading. The compact tools are nice though.
They aren't as inexpensive any more, but the Lyman 310 tools are also a great compact loader. They got a little expensive in the past few years. The dies and handles used to cost what they ask just for either one now. Theyd turn up at guns shows pretty cheap at times also.
They aren't as inexpensive any more, but the Lyman 310 tools are also a great compact loader. They got a little expensive in the past few years. The dies and handles used to cost what they ask just for either one now. Theyd turn up at guns shows pretty cheap at times also.
The Hornady die left numerous scratches along the length of the brass. They fixed it, but the problem came back. I've been reloading going on 40 years and never had that situation.
Ammo is about $19.00 a box. Check ammoseek.com. It's accurate in both my pistols.
Ammo is about $19.00 a box. Check ammoseek.com. It's accurate in both my pistols.
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
Would you happen to know how much it would cost if I reloaded it versus factory ammo? I plan to shoot probably 2-3 boxes of ammo through the Webley per month.
If it's all you would reload I would not bother. I have not checked cost and though I know it's cheaper it may not be worth the effort, and start up costs. Include a learning curve for yourself.
Shoot a bit, see how it goes. Save your brass.
Shoot a bit, see how it goes. Save your brass.
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
Thank you for the help. I'll buy whatever .38 S&W is cheapest on ammoseek.com and will be saving all my cases for sure.
I also will buy a box or two of Matt's Bullets loaded .38/200s for social work and camping purposes.
I am so stoked to get this gun!
I also will buy a box or two of Matt's Bullets loaded .38/200s for social work and camping purposes.
I am so stoked to get this gun!
Blacksmoke
Member
I ordered ammo from Buffalo Bore today and noticed they have a .38/200 load. Probably a little pricey.
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
No, they have a hot loaded 125 grain .38 S&W but no .38/200 on their website that I could find.
You can figure the general cost of reloads. Powder is about $25-$28/lb. Theres 7000 grains in a pound. Look up basic loads online, then divide the pound of powder per round, or per 50 as commercial ammo comes in to compare box price. Primers have been about $3.50-$3.75/100 recently. Bullets you will have to look up, theres a couple places to buy them, the generally used diameter is .361". Brass, once you own it is basically free if taken care of. Pistol brass usually lasts a long time. I'm using some of the same brass Ive had for 10-20 years depending on how much I shoot it.
Bullets from Missouri Bullet Co are $35.50 per 500, or $3.55 for 50 http://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=132&category=5&secondary=29&keywords=
Bullets per 50, $3.55, primers per 50, $1.75, powder per 50 (@ 4.5 grs charge as a guess) $0.18 if my math is correct, it looks wrong though and I'm tired. You can try it and see what you come up with. Total though comes to $5.48 box for the consumables, not counting brass price if you already own it.
Bullets from Missouri Bullet Co are $35.50 per 500, or $3.55 for 50 http://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=132&category=5&secondary=29&keywords=
Bullets per 50, $3.55, primers per 50, $1.75, powder per 50 (@ 4.5 grs charge as a guess) $0.18 if my math is correct, it looks wrong though and I'm tired. You can try it and see what you come up with. Total though comes to $5.48 box for the consumables, not counting brass price if you already own it.
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
Very interesting, than you for the number crunching!
I think for now I'll put a couple hundred rounds of commercial ammo through the gun to make sure it works properly and I enjoy shooting it. If so, I might get a basic reloading setup for the caliber.
I think for now I'll put a couple hundred rounds of commercial ammo through the gun to make sure it works properly and I enjoy shooting it. If so, I might get a basic reloading setup for the caliber.
- Status
