Does anyone sell reduced power loads for a .45 Webley?

B

Bigbuckeye

New member
Guys,

I just picked up a beautiful 1917 Webley Mk6 that has been cut down to .45acp. I don't reload....does anyone make a .45 round loaded down to the Webley .455 pressure?
 
I don't reload...
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For this round, you should probably start! I'm not being snide; I'm being practical.
does anyone make a .45 round loaded down to the Webley .455 pressure?
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I seriously doubt it, because it might not cycle the action of a .45ACP autoloader correctly.
 
The problem with a Webley converted to .45 ACP is the pressure. Standard pressure .45 ACP is about the same pressure as a .455 Webley proof load and, at the very least would substantially accelerate wear on a Webley if not be outright unsafe to shoot.

About the mildest .45 ACP commercial loading that I can think of is Federal Gold Match 185gr FMJ-SWC which is advertised at the relatively sedate velocity of 780fps. However, even that loading may still be loaded above maximum .455 Webley pressures and, as such, I cannot recommend its use in a Webley.

The only way to safely shoot a converted Webley is to handload in either .45 ACP ore .45 Auto-Rim cases with .455 Webley loading data. Even besides the pressure issue, handloading is still the best option as the majority of .45 ACP ammo is loaded with 230gr or lighter bullets while .455 Webley uses a 262-265gr bullet, so the POI with .45 ACP ammunition would likely be several inches low.
 
"Standard pressure .45 ACP is about the same pressure as a .455 Webley proof load"

If I'm not mistaken, the standard proof load for the .455 Webley was rated at 17,000 psi.

Standard pressure .45 ACP ammo is 19,000 psi rated.
 
I should say that I don't want this to be a "shooter" I just would like to get 50 or so rounds so that I can shoot it a few times and put it in the safe. I have a Colt 1917 that serves as my shooter.
 
Never had much experience with .45 ACP in Webleys, but I'll say this: many were converted to .45 ACP in the 'Fifties and sold mail order. So far as I know these were fired with GI ball ammunition without any problems. The minimal usage you claim for the gun's future should pose no problems.

Bob Wright

(I stand corrected. See the following post.)
 
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"So far as I know these were fired with GI ball ammunition without any problems."

Unfortunately, you're not in the known on this.

Over the years there have been numerous instances of Webley revolvers splitting cylinders when being fired with standard pressure .45 ACP ammo, even the large and seemingly invincible Mk VIs.

What's REALLY frightening is that you'll occasionally see a Mk. I, II, or III that has been converted to fire .45 ACP.

Those tend not to split when they let go; they tend to throw chunks.

As with just about anything like this, it may have held up for years. It may continue to hold up for years.

Or, the very next shot may be... The One.
 
If I'm not mistaken, the standard proof load for the .455 Webley was rated at 17,000 psi.

Standard pressure .45 ACP ammo is 19,000 psi rated.
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You are correct, I misspoke. SAAMI max pressure for a standard pressure .45 ACP is 21,000psi, but most major ammo makers load their ammunition within a safety margin that's a few thousand psi below SAAMI max, so 19,000 psi is probably about right for the peak pressure on most standard pressure .45 ACP ammo. I suppose what I should have said is that standard pressure .45 ACP ammo is beyond a .455 Webley proof load.

What's REALLY frightening is that you'll occasionally see a Mk. I, II, or III that has been converted to fire .45 ACP.
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You're right, that is downright scary. The Mk. I-III was never intended to be fired with smokeless powder, much less a higher pressure smokeless powder cartridge. While the Mk. IV .455 was redesigned for smokeless powder, sources I've seen indicate that it was marginal for the task hence the development of the Mk. V. In my opinion, Mk. I-IV revolvers should only be fired with black powder or BP substitute handloads while the Mk. V and Mk. VI should only be fired with .455 Webley ammo or equivalent handloads.
 
Apparently the redesign on the Mk IV still resulted in stretched cylinder walls and other issues, so the guns were withdrawn from service. Apparently Mk IVs are fairly uncommon because not many were made, and most of the ones that did survive were surplussed out after World War II and cut for .45 ACP.

The Mk V had a wider cylinder to allow for thicker cylinder walls and also had other parts beefed up.
 
A LEE small C press and dies are not expensive, if I were going to shoot it I would get one. It is even less expensive than a trip to the emergency room or worse.
 
I had a Mark I .45ACP and it was in great shape. I loaded 200 gr .452" bullets and 3 gr Bullseye. It shot reasonably well at 2 yards. I have seena Mark III .45ACP Webley and the back of the barrel split open from shooting .45ACP hardball in it.
 
To add to the problem, there is the common belief among Webley fans that Webleys of any vintage are the stongest revolvers in the world; some even claim that a Mk VI is stronger than a Ruger SRH or an S&W Model 29. When shown pictures of blown Webleys, they simply go into flat denial, claiming photo trickery. :rolleyes:

Jim
 
Depending upon how much you intend to shoot it, anyone that loads .45 CAN download a batch for you. However, it may be time you adjusted your brain to the realm of reloading. It isn't that hard; even a caveman can do it. As stated, the little Lee loaders, or a put together kit with a Lee hand press would be the cheap route, if only a box or two are needed every month or six. IF you intend to fire 50-100 a week, then any of the small reloader sets, or a Dillon Square Deal B is the way to go. Initially a small chunk of money (Dillon), but simplicity in high production. You set it up, and load 300-400 in an hour, then shoot all week, or month. Makes reloading less painful and annoying. I used to have a MK VI, and did use reduced .45ACP loads, and it was a great shooter.
 
I have a Nagant revolver and one full box of new ammo for it. People ask "how does it shoot?" I reply "how should I know, I don't shoot that goofy thing"
 
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