Best loads for Webley Revolver?

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Hi all,

This board newbie (but not a shooting newbie) needs help with loads for a very old DA service revolver, a 100-year-old Webley rechambered from the original .455 to .45 Auto-Rim/ACP. Everything checks out and is in great shape, according to the gunsmith. Looks like it was almost never fired.

I've picked up some moon clips, so now the question is what loads to use? I believe lower-pressure .45 ACP loads would probably be safer because of the weaker steel then. Would FMJ be too corrosive and wear at the bbl.? Would wadcutters be better for target practice? What would be the best loads for home defense and for varmint use?

I don't mind reloading, but don't mind paying for off-the-shelf cartridges either.

Thanks in advance, I know that's lots of questions for my first post!
 
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I would definitely stick with low-end loads and lead bullets.

What Mark Webley do you have? The last was the Mk VI, the really large one that was adopted just before WW I.

It's a pity that it's been rechambered.
 
Back in the late 70s an acquaintance gave me an old lump of rust that, after soaking in solvent for a couple of weeks and dismantling, turned out to be a Webley, I believe a Mark 1V. Lots of scrubbing and it was back together and in working condition, albeit a bit corroded. I found some old 455 Webley brass and loaded it with lead bullets and a light charge of Bullseye. Worked great. Ended up trading it off, wish I hadn't.
 
I think it's a Mark 2, which puts it at 100+ years.

Since the Webley ammo is available again it's too bad the cylinder was milled for .45 Auto, but the gunsmith was saying it's now rarer to find them in their original chambering. Maybe I can track down an original cylinder.

In the meantime, looks like I have some more supplies to order from Lee!

Thanks guys.
 
Before you order those supplies, do two things:

-Slug the bore to get the bore diameter.
-Slug the cylinder throats to get their diameter.

Do not be surprised if the bore diameter is smaller than your cylinder throat diameters by as much as .005". This makes accuracy kind of a problem since if you fit the bullets to the cylinder throats (standard practice for lead bullet accuracy in a revolver), they are swaged down pretty radically upon entrance to the bore. This can cause pressure problems, severe leading and all kinds of issues. Am I trying to discourage you? Nope. I love the Webley myself and am currently on the hunt, looking for an unconverted Mk VI. If I have to settle for a converted model, you can bet I won't "firewall" the loads and will pay REAL close attention the bullet diameter. :D
 
Pardon me for getting a little off track here, but I own a Webley in .455. Does anyone have any loading data or sources for factory ammo ? I have 100 rounds of ammo that I have found in the last couple years.
 
Hornady now makes loaded MArk II rounds with a 265 gn LRN hollow base bullet. They also make Mark II brass (shorter version). Both are now available from Graph and Sons. Tried a box of the loaded rounds through a Enfield Mark VI (not modified cylinder), they chronoed at av 580 fps, bout 100 fps less than advertized on box. They gave decent accuracy, albeit 6 in high and 4 in left at 25 yds rested. This also may be due to heavy trigger and not real used to trigger or sights yet.

Also tried some of Hornady brass with handloads. Used 200 gn LRNFP sized down to .451, Lee undersize 45 acp carbide die, shortened Redding 45
AR profile crimp die, Fed 150 primers.

3.0 gns Red Dot=560 fps, lousy accuracy
3.4 gns Red dot=630 fps, decent accuracy

3.0 gns Green Dot=540 fps, lousy accuracy
3.5 gns Green Dot=610 fps

4.0 gns Unique=620 fps
4.4 gns Unique=670 fps, decent accuracy

6.3 gns Blue Dot=605 fps
6.8 gns Blue Dot=670 fps, decent accuracy

The cylinder trhoat slugged at about .449, bore slightly less, if memory holds. Same as a 1897 Mark I Webley Navy model owned (has the shortened cylinder shortened for 45 AR brass, unfortunately)

Had previously tried some handloads in the MArk I, but ya need to be careful with these. Am of the belief the older versions are not proofed as high as the MArk VI versions.

Rem 45 AR brass, .452 200 gn LRNFP, Fed 150 primer

3.5 gns Red Dot = 615 fps
4.0 gns Red Dot= 650 fps, very accurate

5.0 gns Unique=600 fps, pretty accurate
 
If I'm not mistaken, the Webley Mark I was never intended for use with smokeless powder, and when Cordite was introduced it was withdrawn from service.
 
IMHO all Mk IV and earlier Webleys should not be fired with .45ACP ammo if they are converted. MK V and VI Webleys are OK for normal .45ACP if in good cond.
I have a few hundred Fiocchi .455 rounds left out of about twicew as much I got cheap a few years ago. They Chrono their 265 grain bullet at 680fps out of my Mark V. I have some WW2 that I chrono'd 15 years ago at 650-670fps out of a MK VI , I had stollen 10 years ago. The earlier MKs should be all right if they are tight and solid with this ammo.
I am glad Hornady is putting hollow base bullets in their MK2 ammo;that will solve alot of problems! :)
 
Thanks for the further suggestions, especially about slugging. Might save some grief. :)

The Mark 1 is a blackpowder round but the Mark 2 was designed for smokeless powder in 1897. The smokeless round is called ".455 Webley Mark 2" to differentiate it from the longer-cased blackpowder round for the Mark 1. I checked again, mine's definitely a Mark 2, which means if all internal dimensions are okay, I don't see why a low-pressure smokeless .45 ACP handload with lead bullets would be a hazard. However, I am also looking for an original Mark 2 .455 cylinder, since I'd love to try this new caliber out.
 
In 1913, Webley introduced the Mk. V, which differed from the Mk. IV in having slightly thicker cylinder walls, because of concerns over smokeless powder pressure. That was with the original .455 ammo, which is pretty low pressure, I bet.

If Webley and the British military were uneasy with .455 ammo in earlier guns, in 1913, I doubt if it's a real great idea to fire .45 ACP ammo in the converted older guns. Mild handloads would seem to be indicated.

The Mk. VI was introduced in 1915.

Lone Star
 
Webley

45 Auto Rim Brass is available pretty cheap from Miwayusa Excellent quality. To load your own use 45ACP dies with a 45AR shell holder. I know Lee has a shell holder and I think RCBS. Don't know about others. Yoe could check and see if 1/2 moon or full moon clips will work in your revolver to use 45ACP ammo.
 
I cut down 45 long colt brass for mine and ran them thru a 45 acp die with 4.6 gr. of bullseye and a 190 gr. cast swc, worked fine
 
Thanks for all the tips. I already have a Lee press so will look for their .45 Auto-Rim holder. As for the moon clips, since they're so cheap, I guess I'll pick a few up too, since .45 ACP brass is everywhere. I know the clips for the S&W New Centuries will work on some Webleys. I've heard the only difficult part is prying the clips away from the cylinder face to extract, but it should be easy enough to make a tool for that.

Re. low pressure loads: yes, I'm talking really low pressure. Seems the original .455 Mk II load was about 600 fps for a 265 gr. bullet. I plan on staying under 17,500 psi and with lead-only bullets. The semi-wadcutter is a great idea.
 
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