455 webley vs 44 russian?

[infidel29]

Hey there venerable wise antique owners! I am debating purchasing a firearm in 44 russian, vs one in 455 webley. I am just wondering if any of you can help compare for me the ballistic abilities and relative power of each cartridge. Which flies faster, hits harder and has a flatter trajectory? I suppose it'll mostly depend on what type of powder is used, lets say for a control variable we use either black powder or a BP substitute, no modern smokeless powders.
Thanks for your answers.

 

[tiriaq]

Pretty similar. Neither is a powerhouse. .44 is probably easier to feed.

 

[infidel29]

I am just beginning to learn about reloading, so I apologise if i sound uninformed. Thats because I am lol. I am familiar with the webley's capabilities, ie around 700 fps 230-262 gr bullet for the mk II commercial fiocchi ammo. Im just wondering how the russian compares, and which has better penetration. Granted, the only thing I shoot with them are tree stumps and paper, so this wont turn into a "which antique to pack in the bush" thread....

 

[captianlower]

Pretty similar. Neither is a powerhouse. .44 is probably easier to feed.

Yes, if you're a re-loader .44 will be easier to feed... If not, then you can buy .455 over the counter.

 

[cyclone]

A .455 revolver would probably be older and would probably have a stronger frame than a .44 Russian........just a thought.

 

[Pete04]

.44 Russian ctg. works well in Reichs Revolvers and they are quite strong enough for BP.

 

[jethunter]

Pressure wise, a larger case is always capable of producing more velocity at the same pressure, or the same velocity at a lower pressure when compared to a smaller cartridge case. Penetration depends on bullet construction and velocity.

If you compare the .455 Hornady MKII case with a 44 russian case then the russian is the winner by some degree simply because of the larger case capacity which theroreticaly allow it to push the same weight bullet a bit faster than a the 455 at the same pressure. Generally speaking the 44 russian can make 240 gr bullet hit 700-800 fps and the 455 MKII catridge can make the same weight bullet travel in the 600-700 fps range.

If you use lighter bullets and seat them further out you can increase capacity and velocity somewhat while still staying in reasonable pressure territory - but always keep in mind that both cartridges max out at 12-13K psi and that is what the frames and actions were designed for. The cartridges could actually be loaded quite a bit hotter but the old pistols themselves aren't made for it.

 

[tokguy]

Go with the Russian. You can use 44 spl or 44 magnum cast bullets as the Russian is the granddaddy of the 44 Magnum.
In a pinch I've cut down 44 magnum brass and used it in a 44 Russian. PITA but it can be done.
Not a expert on the Webley but I'm guessing there are no readily adaptable cases around for it.
You can also get a 44 spl reloader in a Lyman 310 and adapt it to 44 Russian, that's pretty handy IMO

 

[Ardent]

Apples to apples, both are weak by modern standards, neither is more accurate than the either, and both can be handloaded with ease. .455 has more panache in my humble opinion, and served as a service cartridge for the empire, and as a result Canada.

 

[infidel29]

Thanks very much everyone for your knowledge.

 

[timberhunter]

I've noticed in the past 2-3 years more guys are getting into the 44 russians. Going by the amount of soft cast bullets we sell.
But we still sell way more of our 455 webbly soft cast. There is a lot of webbly shooters out there.

 

[dingus]

well be carefull with the 44 russian factory ammo the bullet barn sells in your pre 1898 handguns to bad that they use such hard lead in there factory 44 Russian ammo.
It will wear down the bores alot faster in the antique handguns and it raises the presure to they used the same hard lead they use in there modern loaded ammo.
I would have bought some till i heard how hard the lead was.
It would be fine for modern cowboy action guns tho . its to bad they wont get some made up with softer lead as im lazy and hate reloading id be buying a bunch of that ammo otherwise.

The big thing the 44 russian has over the 455 webley is accuracy. in the S&W DA revolvers at least mine all outshoot all my webleys some of the S&W DAs ive had shot under two inch groups off a rest and the german guns are pretty accurate as well.
I have a S&W SA American model thats set up to shoot 44 Russian/ 44 Special and it has a 8 inch barrel im guessing it will outshoot almost everything with that long barrel.