webley accuracy; how well does yours shoot?

[vviking]

My first antique revolver is in the mail and due soon.
Mk1, shaved to 45acp, nitro proofed.
Will be used for bush plinking and target practice.
Soft smokeless handloads need to be developed to the best accuracy I can
achieve with cast bullets.
I would consider reaming the throats to 1 thou over groove dia., and sized to groove plus 1 thou.,if thats what it takes....., as the cylinder has been altered already. However, if any old webley hands on cgn have gotten good results (say 2--3" @ 25 yds) with theirs as is, I would appreciate knowing how you did it and with which mould.

 

[apu]

I guess I will pipe in. Congrats on the new revolver.

From my experience the 4 inch military contract MK revolvers with relatively shallow riflling to begin with were never really renowned as super accurate bullesye type shooters. IMHO ,while not impossible, 2-3 inch groups at 25 yards is ambitious for the average 4 inch MK Webley. I honestly think 3-5 inches groups are more likely exclusive of shooter skill. These are combat pistols afterall. A MK with 6 inch barrel or a nice WG are more typically known as tack drivers. Of course your individual experience may vary, happy shootin.

 

[vviking]

Thanks for the reality check APU.
After paying for this thing, I can only (barely) afford 1 mould.
Three bullets seem to be preferred.
.454 255gr Keith swc.
.454 255gr hb fn 45 Colt.
?dia.265gr hb rn Webley.

The Keith would make the most effective bullet for my purposes, but accuracy wise I have no idea if it competes.
Any suggestions?.

 

[tactical870]

I have shot Smokepole's .452 Keith style SWC's with very good results from my mkII. I actually get better accuracy with them than with 265 HBRN factory ammo or handloads. I personally think the dead soft lead is critical as the bullet needs to bump up once it's in the barrel to properly engage the rifling.

 

[dingus]

What i find funny is most if not all the webley MKIs and MKIIs i have had measured .452 max bore and chamber throats. took me years to figger this out now i shoot .452 keith type SWC and there accurate.
Why the guns have .451 or .452 bores and shoot 455 bullets i cant figger out cept some 455/476 Webleys have .460 chamber throats and bigger bores.

Anyway i find with ALL my webleys that useing the bullet that the same dia as the chamber throat and bore gives me the best accuracy.


Theres a MKI*** in the EE right now anyone looking for about the best antique you can buy thats the best webley they made thats got antique Status.
I know cause mine handles some heavy loads with that thicker walled MK6 cylinder.

 

[vviking]

Thanks Gentlemen,
I now know how to proceed.
It was a very good day when I found this forum.

 

[vviking]

Well Gents,
With all the solid info and suggestions I've received from the O.P., here's how the first range session went.

- .45acp webley mk 1 commercial.
- .452" throats,.453.5" bore.

- .454" Keith swc, 245gr., plain base, ww alloy, tumble lubed.

-75 degrees f , into the setting sun.(poor sight picture)
-25 yds., off bags
.............................
Case: ww acp
Primer: wlp
Powder: Unique
Crimped in groove,1.220"oal

load#1, 5.2 gr.,620fps,5" group,3"low,3"left
load#2, 5.6 gr.,665fps,4" group,2 1/2"left
..................................

Case:45 win mag trimmed 1.050"
Primer:wlp
Powder: unique
Crimped in groove,1.395"oal

5.4gr.,615fps,3 1/2" group,4"left

Powder:2400
10.5 gr.,560fps,2 1/2"group,1" low,3"left, unburned powder
......................................................
So yeah, I'm stoked. Wish to formally thank all you's who took the time to reply to this tedious, no nuthin antique newbee.
Going to open the throats to bore dia., play with unique/acp cases to 700fps, and 2400/1.050"cases to 750fps.
Haven't had this much fun in years.

 

[fiscus]

Thanks for posting that data it will come in handy for me. Are you sure you got 1.220" oal and 1.495" oal using the same crimp groove in those 2 different cases? It seems like 1 is too long or the other is too short.

 

[vviking]

Well fiscus,
Perhaps I should engage brain before starting keyboard.
You are correct, I mis-quoted the oal on the 1.050" trimmed win mag brass.
They are 1.395"oal with bullet crimped in the groove.
In fact, the incorrect 1.495"oal would not allow the gun to close and latch without undue force, also, moving the crimp right out of the groove and onto the driving band.
I gotta slow down and be more carefull.
The rest of the data was confirmed by a Dutch, fast mover pilot, buddy 'o mine who is considered capable of rational thought.