Webley .45ACP - told pressure is all that matters?

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VintagePieces10

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Forgive my ignorance, but I’m looking for advice on loading 45ACP to a safe Webley (MK1) pressure (either smokeless or BP) and perhaps if anybody has one for actual .455 Webley, that too.

Although I’ve been shooting for many years, antique loads and black powder are something completely new to me. I have a chance to buy an antique Webley mk1 that has both a shaved 45 cylinder, and an original 455 Webley cylinder. I phoned rusty wood, and asked if a smokeless equivalent of 45acp to 455 specs is safe in an MK1 specifically. To my surprise, all he said was “well what pressures are we talking.” I said “well I’m not sure I haven’t loaded any. Most likely 3.5 grains of unique.” He said “that doesn’t give me pressure, and without knowing the pressure, I can’t help you.” So how do I find the pressure of a load (Yknow, before shooting it so I don’t blow up) since that’s the first step apparently, and if I have to run bp in 45ACP (as perhaps the mk1 is too weak for even light smokeless), how do I load it? Do I fill the entire case with bp like some other bp rounds? Or is that too much in a 45 case?

Appreciate the advice and look forward to learning!
 
saskgunowner101 said:
First step is to look at a few reloading manuals to see what potential combo's you want to use are doing for pressure.

What velocity are you trying to nail? Try to do that with the slowest reasonable powder for the cartridge.
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Velocity doesn’t matter as much to me as safety. As such, if it’s an incredibly low velocity, that wouldn’t bother me at all as long as the load is safe. The jury seems to be out though if a MK1 is even safe with a small amount of smokeless powder.
 
A lot of loading manuals have the pressure listed for many loads. The trick with using smokeless is using a load that is black powder equivalent, a safe load. Webley cases are available. Inter surplus usually has them in stock. 3.5 grs of unique with lead bullets 200 grs to 260 grs should be safe.
I use 5 grs with 255 gr bullet in my S/W Hand ejector, a stronger gun but many use the same load in the older Webleys.
Black powder is dirty but does work well in older cartridges with lower pressure ratings. I have loaded a few to try but decided to go the smokeless route.
 
Snider shooter said:
A lot of loading manuals have the pressure listed for many loads. The trick with using smokeless is using a load that is black powder equivalent, a safe load. Webley cases are available. Inter surplus usually has them in stock. 3.5 grs of unique with lead bullets 200 grs to 260 grs should be safe.
I use 5 grs with 255 gr bullet in my S/W Hand ejector, a stronger gun but many use the same load in the older Webleys.
Black powder is dirty but does work well in older cartridges with lower pressure ratings. I have loaded a few to try but decided to go the smokeless route.
Click to expand...
Hopefully the MK1 can handle it as that’s the load I’ve consistently seen crop up (3.5grs unique with lead) and probably the load I’ll use if it’s deemed safe (although I may use it in the 45ACP cartridge over the .455 webley). Black powder also seems like a different learning curve than I’m used to with smokeless powder.
 
I've been starting down my reloading journey for my Webley MKII, and have gathered some info.

I've attached a photo of load data from the Lee Reloading Manual 1st Edition that should help.

Now, if anyone wants to let me know what powder charge I can safely use with a 200gr. bullet, that would be most helpful. I'm planning to buy one of these moulds down the line and start casting: https://www.mp-molds.com/product/455-webley-man-stopper-hollow-base-4-cavity-mold-457-cal/#reviews

First I need to slug the bore and chamber throats and get my exact measurements though.

1748411662875.png
 
scianna54 said:
13,000 PSI is the pressure. Rustywood is a joker but we know that already. I don't like the guy (talked to him at gun shows) but he seems to be doing good work.
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I hope his work is better than his demeanour, as I’m keep to order from them. As for pressure, forgive my ignorance, is there a way to determine pressure before I fire it? Like if I run a 230gr lead bullet with 3.5 grains of smokeless powder, is there a way to determine pressure with that info alone?
 
Cpollock said:
I've been starting down my reloading journey for my Webley MKII, and have gathered some info.

I've attached a photo of load data from the Lee Reloading Manual 1st Edition that should help.

Now, if anyone wants to let me know what powder charge I can safely use with a 200gr. bullet, that would be most helpful. I'm planning to buy one of these moulds down the line and start casting: https://www.mp-molds.com/product/455-webley-man-stopper-hollow-base-4-cavity-mold-457-cal/#reviews

First I need to slug the bore and chamber throats and get my exact measurements though.

View attachment 959503
Click to expand...
You don’t even know how unbelievably helpful this load data is. I’ve been trying to find something like this for EONS. Gold star to you.
 
VintagePieces10 said:
I hope his work is better than his demeanour, as I’m keep to order from them. As for pressure, forgive my ignorance, is there a way to determine pressure before I fire it? Like if I run a 230gr lead bullet with 3.5 grains of smokeless powder, is there a way to determine pressure with that info alone?
Click to expand...
Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th Edition has the info you seek on page 276 for 45 ACP.
All or most loads are under 13,000 CUP. Lead bullets from 160gr. to 230gr.
Costs around 30 bucks. 42 bucks on amazon.
Yes, Pressure Matters.
 
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VintagePieces10 said:
Hopefully the MK1 can handle it as that’s the load I’ve consistently seen crop up (3.5grs unique with lead) and probably the load I’ll use if it’s deemed safe (although I may use it in the 45ACP cartridge over the .455 webley). Black powder also seems like a different learning curve than I’m used to with smokeless powder.
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There are MKI & MKII revolvers and there are MKI & MKII ammo, MKI ammo was black powder and MKII ammo was cordite. I would not recommend taking load data for one type of case and using it in any other type of case. With a shaved cylinder I would want to go a bit lower on pressure than what the gun was originally designed to handle. jacketed bullets will push up the pressure.
45 autorim brass, black powder and cast lead bullets is a good place to start.
Some MKI were proofed for Nitro, what proof marks does yours have?
 
Ex3dy said:
There are MKI & MKII revolvers and there are MKI & MKII ammo, MKI ammo was black powder and MKII ammo was cordite. I would not recommend taking load data for one type of case and using it in any other type of case. With a shaved cylinder I would want to go a bit lower on pressure than what the gun was originally designed to handle. jacketed bullets will push up the pressure.
45 autorim brass, black powder and cast lead bullets is a good place to start.
Some MKI were proofed for Nitro, what proof marks does yours have?
Click to expand...
The one I’m looking at acquiring was an MK1 navy retrofit, with nitro proof stamp mark on the barrel.
 
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