moon clips
- Thread starter submoa303
- Start date
The cylinder needs to be machined to accept moon clips. Don't expect to shoot factory 45ACP in it, there have been lots of cylinders blown up doing that.
In the end you will ruin the antique value. Converted Webley's quite often come up on the BP/Antiques EE.
Probably best to post on the BP/Antique forum.
M
In the end you will ruin the antique value. Converted Webley's quite often come up on the BP/Antiques EE.
Probably best to post on the BP/Antique forum.
M
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If you get into moon clips you need to make or buy a de-moon clip tool. This is a cheap version:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=moon...KHRvOBtEQ_AUIBigB&dpr=1#imgrc=B1QNYHJhBjh_bM:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=moon...KHRvOBtEQ_AUIBigB&dpr=1#imgrc=B1QNYHJhBjh_bM:
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
/\ What a shame
greywolf67nt
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Stony Plain, AB
There 455 Webley ammo available at one supplier I have found IF you really are intent on shooting it.
For the life of me I can't remember right now who it was but IIRC it was Fiochi.
Just found this at Rusty Woods but careful you aren't drinking anything when you see the price.
http://www.rustywood.ca/shop_home/455-webley-mkii-200gr/
For the life of me I can't remember right now who it was but IIRC it was Fiochi.
Just found this at Rusty Woods but careful you aren't drinking anything when you see the price.
http://www.rustywood.ca/shop_home/455-webley-mkii-200gr/
Fiochi 455 Webley is running anywhere from $50-$70 these days, if and when you can find it.
Best to reload. Dies are out there, brass to. I had great success using 230gn 45ACP LRN bullets over a very mild charge of W231.
Can't really see any benefit to converting to 45ACP on moon clips.
M
Best to reload. Dies are out there, brass to. I had great success using 230gn 45ACP LRN bullets over a very mild charge of W231.
Can't really see any benefit to converting to 45ACP on moon clips.
M
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- Location
- Saskatchewan
Everyone posting is right.
The 455 can't shoot the 45 ACP factory ammo safely. And modifiction necessary for moon clips.
So why convert if you will have to hand load 45's?
Hand load the 455 and save a step.
The 455 can't shoot the 45 ACP factory ammo safely. And modifiction necessary for moon clips.
So why convert if you will have to hand load 45's?
Hand load the 455 and save a step.
Lonesome Donkey
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Alberta
I used to load the old Dominion balloon-head .455 Colt (MarkI) cases using as-cast 230 grain RN bullets designed for .45 ACP.
(Lyman #452374 mold using reclaimed .22LR lead or wheel weights measuring about .454")
Since the case volume seemed similar, I used a 5.9 grain dipper of Hercules Unique from my Lee Loader, for a pressure of around 12,000 CUP for the .45 ACP. (Probably less in the .455 Colt case due to greater case volume.)
I fired these loads in a Colt New Service as well as in a Webley Mark IV .455.
In retrospect, since the Webley was an 1890s revolver, 5.0 grains of Unique would probably have been safer, though I experienced no signs of stress, and the accuracy was very good.
Since your example is an antique, I suppose that it might be a Mark IV like mine, or even a Mark I or Mark II or III)
The Mark I, Mark II, and Mark III would probably be less forgiving, being possibly black powder vintage guns.
As such, perhaps 4.0 grains of Unique would be prudent.
Rather than convert the gun, it would be better to make .455 cases from .45 Long Colt cases.
In addition to shortening to .455 Mark I cartridge length, you would have to turn the case rims down from the inside, as the.455 rims are thinner.
You can thin the rims down first in a wood lathe with a chuck, a drill press, or even a 1/2" drill clamped in a vise.
Wrap the cases with masking tape and use a file with a safe smooth edge to thin the rims a bit, using the revolver itself as a go-no go gage, then perhaps a dial vernier caliper. (easier than it might sound) (.005" taken off might be enough to allow free rotation.)
Then cut the cases down with a jeweler's saw to rough overall length. Then use a bench-mounted case trimmer to reach .855" overall case length. (Or just carefully file them to final length with a fine smooth file.)
Then chamfer the case mouths.
You can load these cases using .45 ACP dies with a .45 LC shell holder, or even with a .45 ACP Lee Classic Loader.
(Lyman #452374 mold using reclaimed .22LR lead or wheel weights measuring about .454")
Since the case volume seemed similar, I used a 5.9 grain dipper of Hercules Unique from my Lee Loader, for a pressure of around 12,000 CUP for the .45 ACP. (Probably less in the .455 Colt case due to greater case volume.)
I fired these loads in a Colt New Service as well as in a Webley Mark IV .455.
In retrospect, since the Webley was an 1890s revolver, 5.0 grains of Unique would probably have been safer, though I experienced no signs of stress, and the accuracy was very good.
Since your example is an antique, I suppose that it might be a Mark IV like mine, or even a Mark I or Mark II or III)
The Mark I, Mark II, and Mark III would probably be less forgiving, being possibly black powder vintage guns.
As such, perhaps 4.0 grains of Unique would be prudent.
Rather than convert the gun, it would be better to make .455 cases from .45 Long Colt cases.
In addition to shortening to .455 Mark I cartridge length, you would have to turn the case rims down from the inside, as the.455 rims are thinner.
You can thin the rims down first in a wood lathe with a chuck, a drill press, or even a 1/2" drill clamped in a vise.
Wrap the cases with masking tape and use a file with a safe smooth edge to thin the rims a bit, using the revolver itself as a go-no go gage, then perhaps a dial vernier caliper. (easier than it might sound) (.005" taken off might be enough to allow free rotation.)
Then cut the cases down with a jeweler's saw to rough overall length. Then use a bench-mounted case trimmer to reach .855" overall case length. (Or just carefully file them to final length with a fine smooth file.)
Then chamfer the case mouths.
You can load these cases using .45 ACP dies with a .45 LC shell holder, or even with a .45 ACP Lee Classic Loader.
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Thanks everyone! I am thoroughly disabused of the idea of moonclips! Figured it was too good to be true anyway... but you know how guys can be " oh ya, my brother just used moonclips..." Thanks for all the info I am going to go the reload route as the one I have is a S&W probably in the 1930's??? and I have another webly coming my way!
