I have a MK.VI (Webley) shaved for the 45 cartridge; I don't do any reloading. Is there any ammunition that is already to buy from Gander Mt., Walmart, etc. that could be used? The pistol is in excellent condition. I had an "old" gunsmith check it a few years ago and he said it should be fine to shoot with 45 ammo but didn't say what kind?According to him it was built like a tank?
Thoughts please, ********Marked 1918**************************
Joe

I have had one since 1967 that I've shot a lot of 230 grain ball factory loads through. Now that I'm older I usually feed it a diet consisting of a 250 grain LSWC over 5.2 grains of Unique. I don't know of any loads that are softer than 230 grain ball with the exception of 185 grain SWC target loads. I really can't help you with any advice except to be sure to avoid any +P loads.

I see a lot of warnings on the web. The .455 seems to be approx 13,000 psi as opposed to 21,000 for .45acp. I did have a second model S&W shaved for clips, but I have never had a Webley so it is all here say. I'm interested in all older big bore double actions, and surf the web looking for info.

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

I did some research on this a while back.

The problem is that there are several different years that the Weblet was produced.

Some of the early ones have "blown up" cylinders shooting standard 45 ACP factory ammo.

So most sources say do not shoot full power ACP in them...

I have one actually made by Enfield in 1924 a MK VI.

From what I have been able to find out it is the strongest of the Webleys.
Mine is also "cut" for the 45 ACP.

I have shot 230 gr factory ball and factory 230gr Remington Golden Sabers, they are very accurate and hit to the sights.

However I load 185gr lead wadcutters over 3.8gr of Bullseye to shoot in mine for plinking.

What year was your Webley made?

using 1/2 moon or full moon clips standard .45acp ammo is fine.
.45 Auto Rim can be used without the clips.

The internet stories that Webley MkVI revolvers are overstressed firing US .45 ACP ball are much more than stories. They are horror tales of many ruptured guns and injured shooters backed up by many yes, anectdotal, stories of incidents.

Canadian shooters have had to endure the woes of .45 ACP converted Webley and Enfield MkVI revolvers for apparently much longer than US shooters. The .455 service cartridge was expensive and hard to find even 40 years ago. The importers and individual gunsmiths that converted these guns by facing off cylinders to accept .45 ACP in half moon clips supposedly did shooters a favor at the expense of ruining collectible, historic guns.

As the previous poster stated, comparing service ammunition pressures shows that firing .45 ACP in a Webly MkVI is the same as firing proof ammunition with each shot! An unacceptable risk, as you may imagine.

For my shooting needs, I load 185 or 200 grain LSW bullets on top of mid-range powder charges in .45 ACP or .45 Auto Rim cases. These mild loads with soft lead bullets are much more likely to give acceptable accuracy than firing ball ammo through the oversized barrels.

All your information is appreciated, but I don't load ammunition. Is there a place where I can buy a lighter load of 45 cal. ammunition to fire from the Mark VI? Does it have a name? I am a collector and not privy to powder loads, wade cutters, 185,200 LSW graines, etc.
Thanks,
Joe

Joe: Factory 45 ACP ammo is made for the 45 automatic, and has to be hot enough to function the action. I don't know of any low pressure ammo. I don't know what the pressure is for the 185 gr target loads, but it is probably less than for 230 gr hardball. The target stuff is expensive, however; even more than factory 230 gr ammo.

45 Auto Rim is made for revolvers; which normally operate at lower pressure than automatics. It will fit your Webley with the shaved cylinder. However I don't know what the pressure runs for 45 Auto Rim, perhaps someone else on this forum can supply this information.

Better to find a handloader who will make up some soft 45 ACP loads for you. I don't think the factories make any.

In my Enfield "Webley" at 15 yards, it shoots Remington 230 gr Ball and 230gr Golden Sabre, and 230gr Auto Rim to the sights and into one ragged hole.

Some old Winchester 185 gr FMC target wadcutters also shoot into one ragged hole but about 1.5 inches low...

The Enfield Webley shoots better than my S&W 45 ACP Night Guard with the same ammo, shot side by side.

The accuracy of my Enfield suprised me to say the least...

I used to think these guns were junk, till I got mine.

It shoots and handles much better that you would think.

I would not hesitate to carry one to War, or use it for Personal protection as well.

Oh and I agree that if you are going to shoot one of these guns very much, shoot light loads in it.

I think the SAAMI pressure rating for .45AR lrn is 15,000 CUP a little lower than for .45acp 21,000 PSI.

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

Not many commercially loaded ammo choices for your gun. 45AR, 45ACP and 45GAP are all way too hot for your old queen. If you’re absolutely despise reloading the only viable option I can think of would be the “custom ammo makers”…costly, but you could order exactly what you want, custom made for your gun. Just Google it and you’ll find them.

I suggest .45 ACP listed as suitable for "Bullseye" competition, specifically, 200 grain lead SWC. It is loaded to lower pressures, and tends to be very accurate (in 1911s with greatly reduced power recoil springs).

One vendor I have dealt with in the past who makes it is at NSK Sales. I also recommend you consider his reloaded cases to save money; at Bullseye pressures .45 ACP lasts me indefinitely. Of course, these comments should apply to any vendor of Bullseye ammo, and there are more out there.

I do not have a shaved Webley, but I load and fire a great deal of Bullseye ammo. My Bullseye 1911 has an 11 lb. recoil spring, instead of the standard 16 lb. spring. QuickLOAD says MY Bullseye load has a maximum pressure of 6790 psi.

Good to know. I just purchased a 1915 MKiv and it was converted to moon clips. Looking forward to shooting it but I guess I will have to get into reloading again.