Reloading .455 Webley Mark II

[HKSmith]

I started reloading .455 Webley Mark II for a 1915 second model S&W HE that was carried by a British officer in WW I. I got the gun in 2005 from Jim Supica and have been shooting it ever since. After experimenting with Bullseye, Unique, and HP-38, I settled on 4.5 grains HP-38. The bullet is a swaged lead 250 grain flat nose from Remington, .455 diameter, that they use for .45 Colt. Unfortunately, they no longer sell this bullet as a component. Cases are Hornady, also no longer available. I also recently used up the last of an 8 pound jug of HP-38. Since I have other powder choices, I don't plan on replacing the HP-38. I do have a good supply of the bullets and cases.

I decided to try VihtaVuori N320, but could find no pressure-tested data. In fact, the only pressure tested data I could find is from an old Alliant brochure, 3.8 grains of Bullseye with a 260 grain bullet. I thus tried 3.8 grains of N320. Recoil and muzzle blast was significantly less than the 4.5 grain HP-38 load or some old Hornady factory loads. I then tried 4.2 grains of N320, which is indistinguishable from the 4.5 grain HP-38 load and gave some very nice 50 foot targets. I plan to continue using this load and would appreciate any comments or knowledge of pressure tested loads for this cartridge.

 

[glowe]

Remember that velocity and pressure are linked, so did you chronograph your loads? Velocities in the 700 fps or under should give you acceptable pressures with your powder. Tests of Fiocchi factory ammo gives averages ranging from 600 fps to 700 fps. Bullseye is mentioned in two different articles I have, shooting at 610 fps with 3.4g powder and 265g bullet. If you do not have access to either pressure data or velocities, you might consider whether reloading this caliber is worth the risk.

 

[dillonhelp]

Fiocchi sells loaded ammunition for 455. The quality of the loaded ammo is mediocre, but the brass is good for reloading.

 

[Outpost75]

The older Hercules data listing 3.8 grains of Bullseye was developed in CIL .455 Colt brass which is 0.87" long. It is fine in 0.98" .45 Auto Rim brass for use in shaved cylinders, but should be reduced 10% for 0.76" Mk2 cases.

I load 3.5 grains of Bullseye with Accurate 45-264D for my S&W HE and Colt New Service for 650 fps. Seating depth is only .25" and the full diameter brand north of the crimp groove reduces jump when the shorter Mk2 cases are fired in normally longer .455 chambers. My max field load, not for top-breaks, is 4 grains of 452AA or WST, which matches velocity of the CIL 265-grain .455 Colts in Starline brass.

 

[50 target]

In my Colt NS, I found 3.9 and 4,0 grains of Bullseye and that same Rem bullet to be very accurate in the long 455 case.⁷

 

[Dan W. Cady]

I started reloading .455 Webley Mark II for a 1915 second model S&W HE that was carried by a British officer in WW I. I got the gun in 2005 from Jim Supica and have been shooting it ever since. After experimenting with Bullseye, Unique, and HP-38, I settled on 4.5 grains HP-38. The bullet is a swaged lead 250 grain flat nose from Remington, .455 diameter, that they use for .45 Colt. Unfortunately, they no longer sell this bullet as a component. Cases are Hornady, also no longer available. I also recently used up the last of an 8 pound jug of HP-38. Since I have other powder choices, I don't plan on replacing the HP-38. I do have a good supply of the bullets and cases.

I decided to try VihtaVuori N320, but could find no pressure-tested data. In fact, the only pressure tested data I could find is from an old Alliant brochure, 3.8 grains of Bullseye with a 260 grain bullet. I thus tried 3.8 grains of N320. Recoil and muzzle blast was significantly less than the 4.5 grain HP-38 load or some old Hornady factory loads. I then tried 4.2 grains of N320, which is indistinguishable from the 4.5 grain HP-38 load and gave some very nice 50 foot targets. I plan to continue using this load and would appreciate any comments or knowledge of pressure tested loads for this cartridge.

Winchester 231 and HP38 Same Same.

 

[minconrevo]

A while back , I developed a load for a Webley topbreak, rechambered like most all of them into .45 ACP. It is a 230 gr coated RN .45 lead RN, with 3.5 gr American Select powder. Win primers and mixed brass. Velocity around 650 fps and amazingly accurate. Shoots to POA at 15 yds with this load too.

The steel in old revolvers, such as your HE and many others of WW1 vintage, doesn't take well to more modern loads.