Ultimate Reloader's Guide to loading for Webley revolvers, 45ACP, 45 autorim, and 455 Webley

V

VintagePieces10

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I promised a few forums, CGN or otherwise, that I would pioneer new data for reloading for Webley revolvers, as most data relied on powders available at the time that have either since become obsolete, or since become hard to obtain. Frustrated with the lack of newer loads, I said that when I acquire and start reloading for my (now newly acquired) Webley MK1, that I would publish data, and here I am.

Instead of making new forums for each load, this forum will continually be updated by me over the course of the next few months to years, with newer loads in various grains, powders, and bullets added, and dates stamped. As such, today, July 9th 2025, 1 will only have two loads to share.

Firearm used: Webley MK1, navy issue, nitro proof stamped, 4" barrel.

*******************

LOAD 1

July 9th 2025

Powder: win 231

Grains: 3.2

Bullet: 230 lead round nose bevel base (cast)

Bullet diameter: .452

Brass: Starline 45ACP

OAL: 1.26 (average)

Velocity: estimate ~ 550FPS (will update when chronographed)

PSI: 6000-8000 estimate (safe for all nitro proofed Webley's)

For those that are worried about Webley ruptures, I highly recommend starting with this ultra downloaded load, as as soon as you shoot it once, you'll feel how underpowered it is (which is a good thing for maintaining these old guns). In fact, the velocity was so slow, I could actually see the bullets traveling down range. The incomplete burn however of 231 at this low of grain led to inconsistent ignition, and lots of fouling, to the point where I recommend cleaning after range use.

Pros: very safe for all makes of Webley's (save for perhaps the earlier WG's) with nitro proof marks. Recoil very low, comparable to .32ACP.

Cons: Very inaccurate. Squib loads very possible. Extremely dirty using win231. Inconsistent ignition.

************************

LOAD 2

July 9th 2025

Powder: win 231

Grains: 3.4

Bullet: 230 lead round nose bevel base (cast)

Bullet diameter: .452

Brass: Starline 45ACP

OAL: 1.26 (average)

Velocity: estimate ~ 550-590FPS (will update when chronographed)

PSI: 6000-8000 estimate (safe for all nitro proofed Webley's)

By upping the load by 0.2 grains, ignition became much more consistent, and much easier to tell if you actually shot it, or if you squib loaded (3.2 grains is low enough to sometimes feel like a squib, often leading to having to check to make sure for safety).

The load was still extremely safe for
all models of nitro-proofed Webley's, and provided the same recoil benefits from before. The caveat being the load is still extremely inaccurate and dirty.

Pros: still very safe as far as pressure or PSI. Much more definitive pop, making it easier to tell between a safe round and a squib load.

Cons: still very inaccurate. Still very dirty.
 
Your cast bullets are likely under diameter for the bore in your Mark 1.

Try powder coating them to get a bit more diameter and if it works, get a custom mold. Hollow base bullets usually work best with relatively soft mix of lead/tin. The skirts help the bases to obturate to the lands better. If the casting material is to hard, even the skirts won't obturate well enough.

No2 mix is to hard for my pistols.
 
I would gather you have a 'shaved' Webley since you are using 45 ACP brass. I have an unmolested Enfield Mark 6 version of the Webley made in 1924 and use Starline 455 brass. I am using a more than century old Winchester bullet mold that was originally for a 45-60 rifle. It drops a 235 grain bullet which in profile looks very similar to the traditional 260 grain Webley bullet, except not hollow based. I cast very soft and size them to .454.
Webley barrel throats tend to be tight, so a soft bullet works best and with velocity in the 600 to 700 fps range, leading isn't a problem.
I use a 4.6 grain load of Herco and can get all shots on paper at 25 yards in a somewhat large group ( by my former Bullseye shooting days) but the unadjustable sights and 65 year old eyes don't help. Herco allows a decent load density in the cases.
My only other load was 3.5 grains of Bullseye with the same bullet, but the Herco load seems to have a slight edge.
Both of these loads are safe in any of the newer nitro proofed Webley/Enfield.
Although I have far more accurate revolvers and pistols, the Enfield really is a pleasure to shoot.
 
Last edited:
ZREXER said:
I would gather you have a 'shaved' Webley since you are using 45 ACP brass. I have an unmolested Enfield Mark 6 version of the Webley made in 1924 and use Starline 455 brass. I am using a more than century old Winchester bullet mold that was originally for a 45-60 rifle. It drops a 235 grain bullet which in profile looks very similar to the traditional 260 grain Webley bullet, except not hollow based. I cast very soft and size them to .454.
Webley barrel throats tend to be tight, so a soft bullet works best and with velocity in the 600 to 700 fps range, leading isn't a problem.
I use a 4.6 grain load of Herco and can get all shots on paper at 25 yards in a somewhat large group ( by my former Bullseye shooting days) but the unadjustable sights and 65 year old eyes don't help. Herco allows a decent load density in the cases.
My only other load was 3.5 grains of Bullseye with the same bullet, but the Herco load seems to have a slight edge.
Both of these loads are safe in any of the newer nitro proofed Webley/Enfield.
Although I have far more accurate revolvers and pistols, the Enfield really is a pleasure to shoot.
Click to expand...

I've never tried Herco, but good to know it works. My stash of unique is dwindling and resupply for this powder is sketchy.

I cast two bullets for the webleys, the traditional hollow base webley bullets and a flat base 250gr keith-style SWC from a mold Accurate Molds made for me. I cast both bullets very soft and size either .454" or .455" depending on which revolver they are for. The WGs need the larger bullet.

The swc will shoot tighter groups in all of my webleys but not enough to make any difference for the shooting I do. The SWC is easier to cast so I tend to use it instead of the HB.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom