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.
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.
