Fiochi .455 webley factory velocity

[rm_rang]

Hey guys I got a question about velocity of the .455 fiochi factory ammo

The packaging said it was 850 feet per second which I couldn't believe so I went and shot it through a buddy's chrony through a webley mk3** with a 6 inch barrel.

Not only wasn't it 850 fps but it wasn't anywhere near. I clocked it at 650 fps.

So I guess I'm asking if maybe the chrony I used is messed up or if fiochi ammo just blatantly lied on the box.

Thanks for your input!

 

[GreenBob]

No, your crony is good I am getting simular results from 6inch Webley.

 

[9.3 Hunter]

Yup they are about 650

 

[rm_rang]

Perfect thanks guys.

Now the next question. Do you guys have any load data that would reflect a velocity of 850 fps?

Like I said my antique is a mk3 ** so it's got a mk 6 cylinder and barrel as well as mk6 internals and blast shield so really it's a mk 6 and could take hotter loads.

Thanks!

 

[Brutus]

850 sounds much like embellishment for this otherwise fine cartridge.
Back in the day only 45 LC in a safe/modern firearm would do this speed, that is well before 45 ACP came along.

my 2 bits only

 

[jethunter]

Perfect thanks guys.

Now the next question. Do you guys have any load data that would reflect a velocity of 850 fps?

Like I said my antique is a mk3 ** so it's got a mk 6 cylinder and barrel as well as mk6 internals and blast shield so really it's a mk 6 and could take hotter loads.

Thanks!

What brass are you reloading? Were you looking for data for MKI or MKII length 455 webley brass?

 

[rm_rang]

That was mk2 factory ammo and I'll be reloading with the mk2 brass

 

[rm_rang]

Unless I can find the longer brass somewhere.

 

[Lonesome Donkey]

Unless I can find the longer brass somewhere.

If the cylinder will accept it, you could make Mark I brass from .45 Colt cases, which have a very similar case diameter and wall thickness.

They need shortening of course and the rim needs thinning from the front.

The rim-thinning is easy enough apparently, by spinning them on a mandrel and applying a safe-edged file, and taking Vernier caliper measurements as you remove material.

It doesn't take much, and it's easier than it sounds.

 

[Lonesome Donkey]

That was mk2 factory ammo and I'll be reloading with the mk2 brass

This Duelist 1954 video gives a lot of chronograph data for the Fiochi .455 Mark II ammo and also shooting a Webley Mark VI.

He also describes reloading Mark II ammo, shooting it, and chronographing his reloads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQmDnvfm7Hs

 

[jethunter]

If youplan to stay within the 13K max pressure rsting for 455 webley, it's borderline possible to get 850fps using MKII brass and the traditional 265gr HB webley bullet.
Using lighter bullets would be one way to do it but lighter bullets don't always match up well with the sights.

 

[gwesson]

If youplan to stay within the 13K max pressure rsting for 455 webley, it's borderline possible to get 850fps using MKII brass and the traditional 265gr HB webley bullet.

^What he said. I really, really would not recommend this, for two reasons:

1) I load my Mk. VI to ~625 fps (chrono'ed) with cast 250gr Lyman SWC's and a mild crimp. Even at this soft load, the gun likes to rotate in my hand and presses the trigger guard against my finger. It hurts.

2) 850 fps was the specified velocity for the .45 ACP 230gr hardball load, that went ~18,000 psi and is a known Webley-killer. I really would not want to push a bullet that big, that fast out of a Webley; you're playing with fire here. Load it down to ~650 fps with ~3.5gr of a fast powder (I use VV N310 or Trail Boss) and leave it at that - how much power do you need to kill a piece of paper anyways? Even down at these low velocities, when you hit the steel bunny with a 250gr lead bullet, you and the bunny both know it!

 

[jethunter]

Using the HB bullet actually increases the powder capacity of the cartridge giving the potential of increasing velocity without increasing pressure. It would be possible to get "close" to 850 fps and stay within 13K pressure using the traditional HB bullet and seating it with one lube groove outside the case.

Using a flat based bullet results in less powder capacity for the cartridge and lower velocity for the same pressure compared to a hollow base bullet.

750 fps is a more reasonable expectation in the 455 webley.

 

[gwesson]

- And why risk a prized Mk III** Webley by trying it?

 

[jethunter]

- And why risk a prized Mk III** Webley by trying it?

His money, his choice. I wouldn't go to 850 fps but OTOH there wouldn't be a real risk involved doing it with a MKIII** if you understand what you're doing. I have loads for that but I won't post them here because somebody will try it in a MKI or MKII.

 

[gwesson]

- So long as he knows this could be the result:

http://britishmilitariaforums.yuku....TERED--SHOOT-45-ACP--45-Auto-Rim#.WPU-sjFtmUk

 

[jethunter]

I first read Grant's post about 8 years ago and it's good info. But what I described was getting a higher velocity without going over the 13K psi, so the link isn't of great relevance.

I did try to explain the concept briefly, but obviously not everyone will understand it. Please stick with what works for you.

 

[rm_rang]

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