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08-15-2010, 08:07 PM
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Low volume reloading for a Webley?
I just jumped on a rechambered Webley MKVI and don't really want to blow it (or my hands) up. I get free .45 ACP at work, which was part of the appeal of this gun, but after reading up some I'm not sure I want to shoot it even with plain old Winchester ball, as the pressures of that round are proof-load level for the gun's original .455 chambering.
So, I think I'll have to get into the small-time reloading business. I don't have the room to set up a loading bench so I'm considering either the Lyman 310 or the Lee Hand Press.
I have reloaded in past, starting with the old school Lee Loader when I was in middle school, and moving up to a single stage bench mounted press. I got away from it over 20 years ago, and am only looking to load a few boxes a year for the Webley.
Any preferences amongst you guys between the two hand presses?
Thanks in advance.
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Last edited by sigp220.45; 08-15-2010 at 08:11 PM.
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08-16-2010, 09:14 AM
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It's been a very-very long time (45 years) since I used a 310 but I think it doesn't full length resize cases. If that is true, it could potentially be a problem with your "custom" re-chambered cylinders.
Ed
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08-16-2010, 09:28 AM
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I have the Lee hand press and 310. They are portable and a great way to improve hand strength, but for even fewer $$ you could get a Lee bolt down that gives better leverage. Either Lee would use their carbide die set, the 310 needs case lube. Lees are discounted, the 310 is "collector" stuff. You still need a way to measure powder, Lee scoops are ahead there, too. Lee Precision, Inc. Reloading Tools and Equipment
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08-16-2010, 04:09 PM
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Federal makes a .45 Auto wadcutter target round that fires a 185 grain bullet at 770 ft/sec. This is a substantially lower pressure round than standard hardball. If you can get your employer to order some you could try it in your Webley. It would probably shoot low, as these guns were sighted in for 265 grain bullets. Also, the Webley barrels have .455 inch grooves, while .45 Auto bullets are .451-.452. Since the Federal rounds have FMJ bullets, they should engage the rifling without slippage.
I agree that an inexpensive Lee press and carbide dies would be far preferable to any hand tool. I tried the 310 tool in 1964 when I first started reloading (on a very limited student budget!) but switched to a Lyman turret press as soon as I could afford it. If you end up reloading for this gun, your best bet in a bullet is the Remington 250 grain swaged lead bullet. It's .455 diameter and is intended for the .45 Colt, but it works well in .455 Webley and .45 Auto revolvers. I load about 300 rounds per year of .455 Webley with this bullet and have had excellent results in a WW I S&W revolver that saw action in France. Just keep in mind that although your cylinder is now chambered for .45 Auto, the throat and barrel dimensions are still .455 Webley.
I have a lot of fun reloading for and shooting these old-timers and I'm sure you will too.
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08-16-2010, 11:48 PM
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I have an Enfield made MKVI Webley modified for 45 ACP.
RP 230 Ball and R 230 Golden Sabre and Rem 45 AR shoot to point of aim at 15 yards. They shoot near one hole groups.
Some Winchester 185 Wadcutters, I have had for a long while shoot about 2" low. Also near one hole. I was suprised how accurate this gun was.
Some chrono info;
RP 230 Ball 690 fps.
RP 230 Golden Sabre 675.5fps
I did not crone the other ammo.
As you can see the velocities are fairly low, no doubt due to the larger bore.
Pressures must be reduced, but I still do not know if it would be adviseable to shoot a lot of this ammo in one of these guns.
The Auto Rim ammo is loaded to lower pressure, as well as is the Winchester Wadcutter smmo, but again I do not want to stress this gun unnecessarialy.
So yesterday I loaded up some 185gr Lead SWC [H&G No 130], over 3.8gr of Bullseye. I do know that this load will be within pressure.
I shot 6 of them out the back door with a few of the factory Winchester SWC's and this load is milder, so...
It might shoot low, I did not shoot it on paper yet.
If it shoots too low for fun shooting I will do as the oster above suggested, just get some 250gr bullets and then load them up to factory specs.
I am really suprised how well this gun shoots and handles.
It shot better grous at the range than my S&W 325 NG did.
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08-16-2010, 11:56 PM
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Handloader Number 8, July August 1967 has a reloading article on the .455 Webley.
They list the following loads;
190gr bullets
3 to 4 gr of Bullseye
5.5 to 6 gr of Unique
250gr bullets
3.5 to 4 gr Bullseye
260gr bullets
5 to 6 gr of Unique
285gr bullets
3gr of Bullseye
5gr of Unique.
Velocities ranged from 610fps to 800fps in the test gun.
Hope this helps.
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08-17-2010, 10:00 PM
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Thank you guys so much for all the info. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions as I get into this.
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