Loading .455 Mk II

CptCurl · Dec 6, 2011

I'm going to load for a .455 Mk II and would be grateful for any suggestions from experience as to:
* What bullet(s) to try, and what weights;
* Any preference as to brand of brass;
* What is standard bullet diameter, and is there much variation?

I have an almost new condition .455 Mk. II Second Model. At this point I haven't slugged the barrel, but will do so. I am not a novice reloader - 46 years experience.

Can anybody tell me what the original Eley bullet diameter, bullet weight, and velocity was?

Can this cartridge be loaded using .45ACP dies, or is a new die set required?

Thanks in advance,

glowe · Dec 6, 2011

I have been reloading .455 for quite a while now and have developed a mild shooting load, with acceptable accuracy.

The .455 rim is very thin, so no other case can be used in this revolver. I have trimmed down .45 cases and thinned the rim, but too much work. I now buy boxes of Fiocchi and reload them - good brass.

The original bullet is about .454". When I started loading these, I had a set of .45 Schofield dies and they worked after I added a shim to the bullet seating die. I would also recommend buying a shell holder specifically made for .455, since the rim will slip out of a .45 shell holder occasionally. If I had it to do over, I would buy a set of .455 dies.

The bullet weight in the Fiocchi's is 262 grain, approximating the 265 grain original loading. I found an easy round to shoot and a clean load, uses a 200 grain .452 RNFP, with 4.5 grains of Clays. Velocity is 750fps and it is quite accurate. This load is more mild than the Fiocchi factory loads, but I like to keep things nice and easy in these old HE's anyway.

I really like shooting this Mark II - best trigger of all my Smiths, made in the days when hand fitting was done to perfection.

ddixie884 · Dec 6, 2011

Lee has a set of carbide .455, dies complete with shell holder, that is very economical Midway, and Natchez usually have them in stock.

Jack Flash · Dec 6, 2011

Brass
Buffalo Arms used to sell brass converted from .45 Colt, but I do not see any currently offered on their website. Hornady makes .455 Webley Mark II brass and also sells loaded ammunition. Fiocchi has already been mentioned.

Bullets
Hornady has a 255 grain .454" lead bullet that works well.
Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Bullets :: Handgun :: Choose by Caliber :: .454 45 CAL :: 45 Cal .454 255gr FP COWBOY™

Performance
Original loading was for a 265 grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 700 fps.

I use Lee Dies with good results. Keep in mind that these revolvers are now about a century old, and that the metallurgy of their time was not nearly as advanced as it was even a decade or so later.

41 fan · Dec 6, 2011

Cpt,
I load for the .455. I use Hornady brass and Rememington lead .454 bullets. The Remington bullets are cheaper than the Hornady. Using 4.5 grains of Unique and a Winchester primer, I get 680 fps. With 5.2 grains of Unique I get 785 fps. Both loads use an oal of 1.114. The Hornady factory ammo makes 575 fps and the Fiochi makes 630. All my testing was done with my HE 2nd model in .455. Dean

CptCurl · Dec 6, 2011

Thanks to all for the replies. I've just placed an order to Graf's for a set of Lee dies, 500 Hornady cases, and 500 Hornady swaged .454" 265 grain bullets. With that bullet the load should approximate the original Eley and Kynoch loads.

I'll welcome any other suggestions or comments.

Again, thanks.

ddixie884 · Dec 6, 2011

The Remington is .455 diameter and has a hollow base. I have never loaded a .455 rnd but if I was going to, would probably use it.

CptCurl · Dec 6, 2011

Where do you find the Remington bullets?

Charlie Foxtrott · Dec 6, 2011

I have a couple of Colt New Service revolvers Chambered in .455 Eley.

A member of another forum sent me some load data for this round. Dies are readily obtained. I would love to get a mold for the original pointed style 262 grain bullet like Fiochi uses. But I do not see one around. As has been stated you can get bullets that will work. I have not been able to get around to loading it yet. Good luck.

SD95B · Dec 7, 2011

Charlie Foxtrot, RCBS offers that mold as a special order item. It comes with a plug to form the hollow base.

41 fan · Dec 7, 2011

Cpt,
I just got some in from Midway. Last time I was on their site, they still had them in stock. Dean

CptCurl · Dec 18, 2011

An update.

My supplies came as ordered from Graf & Sons. I now have a set of Lee carbide dies, 500 Hornady cases, and 500 Hornady bullets. This morning I plan to assemble some loads and go to the range.

There is one nice surprise. Graf lists a .455", 265 grain swaged lead Hornady bullet. As I stated above, I chose that bullet as it sounds to be tailor made for the .455 Mk. II. Here's a link:

Graf & Sons - HRN 45c (.455) 265gr RN BULLET Swaged-Lead P/100

The curious thing is this. First, it's not listed on the Hornady website. I assume Grafs made a special order of this bullet. Bravo!

Second is the photo (this straight from the Graf website):

Looks like a garden-variety swaged RN Hornady bullet. But that's not what it looks like in person! They came packed in bulk. Have a look:

My photos aren't elegant, but you get my drift. These bullets are tailor made specifically for the .455 Mk. II and closely resemble the original configuration of the Eley bullet, complete with a hollow base.

My interest level went up a few notches when I saw these bullets and the fine quality of Hornady's brass. Now to the loading bench and later to the range!

CptCurl · Dec 18, 2011

Report from the loading bench:

First let me share the data provided with the Lee dies.

At least this gives some authoritative reference to work with.

Now let me give you a peek at my first six cartridges:

Next stop, shooting range!

CptCurl · Dec 18, 2011

Beauties, aren't they?

CptCurl · Dec 18, 2011

Getting packed up for the range.

The big guy and his little brother, .32 Regulation Police, ready to go.

Jack Flash · Dec 18, 2011

Those rounds certainly look like the original factory "man stopper" loads. Very interesting project.

The picture from Graf's website is the Hornady 454", 255 grain "Cowboy" bullet. These have a flat base. So what you got from Graf's is indeed a different bullet. I imagine it was tailor made to duplicate the original.

CptCurl · Dec 18, 2011

Yeah, it's great fortune for owners of .455 pistols. The bullets are true .455" diameter also.

I don't see these bullets listed anywhere but Graf's. Wonderful find, I think.

mkk41 · Dec 18, 2011

Pulled some bullets from some old Fiocchi .455 Webley and Dominion .455 Colt/Eley factory loads. They look like little Minie' balls.

ddixie884 · Dec 18, 2011

Congratulations on finding that bullet at Graf's. Those are very fine looking rounds. As usual, requests for help are answered by many of the members here. I hope you will participate on this forum. NICE gun.........

dnater · Dec 29, 2011

Thanks for the heads up on those Hornady bullets at Grafs. Picked some up today.

Loading .455 Mk II

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