.455 Webley Ammo

[cci]

Anyone know of a reliable and reasonably priced source of supply for .455 Webley?

I like the low-flash feature of the Buffalo Bore but it is little more powerful that what I'd prefer in a 1915 firearm.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=594

I'm reading some scare stories about the .455 from Fiocci.

That pretty much leaves Steinel from what I've seen.

Anything else?

 

[ripcord]

It feels reloading is kind of inevitable for you. I know Starline still makes .455 Webley brass but it's expensive.

I looked up the Fiocchi load and it looks pretty hot for those old top break revolvers. I'd be leary, too. A lot of ammo loaded for antique cartridges is purposely loaded on the conservative side but Fiocchi is pushing it right up to the max allowed.

 

[dubber09]

If you don't roll your own then you need to try a few commercially available offerings, they are not gonna be cheap as it's not a very common round. How much of that ammo do you burn thru in a year?
I reload 9mm since 2009, used to easily shoot 10-12k rounds a year so reloading was not only for saving money but it allowed me to pick bullets, powder and settle on primers too, to make ammo that was pleasure to shoot, reliable and accurate. Saved a bundle too doing so.

 

[dubber09]

It feels reloading is kind of inevitable for you. I know Starline still makes .455 Webley brass but it's expensive.

I looked up the Fiocchi load and it looks pretty hot for those old top break revolvers. I'd be leary, too. A lot of ammo loaded for antique cartridges is purposely loaded on the conservative side but Fiocchi is pushing it right up to the max allowed.

Brass should last a bunch of times, and it's easy to retain and keep clean with revolver brass. Reloading equipment will be the main initial investment.

 

[cci]

It feels reloading is kind of inevitable for you. I know Starline still makes .455 Webley brass but it's expensive.

I looked up the Fiocchi load and it looks pretty hot for those old top break revolvers. I'd be leary, too. A lot of ammo loaded for antique cartridges is purposely loaded on the conservative side but Fiocchi is pushing it right up to the max allowed.

I appreciate you confirming my suspicions.

 

[cci]

If you don't roll your own then you need to try a few commercially available offerings, they are not gonna be cheap as it's not a very common round. How much of that ammo do you burn thru in a year?
I reload 9mm since 2009, used to easily shoot 10-12k rounds a year so reloading was not only for saving money but it allowed me to pick bullets, powder and settle on primers too, to make ammo that was pleasure to shoot, reliable and accurate. Saved a bundle too doing so.

"How much of that ammo do you burn thru in a year?"

Probably not enough to get into reloading. This is for a 1915 S&W MkII (Canadian military) that fills a niche, I will likely only fire it enough to get comfortable with it and then occasional proficiency maintenance.

 

[ripcord]

I appreciate you confirming my suspicions.

Well, I'm no expert... Just going off general firearms knowledge. The Fiocchi ammo was listed at 850 fps and from what I've read, the standard mil issue MkII ammo clocked in at under 700 fps.

 

[cci]

https://www.bannermancc.com/

Know anything about Bannerman?

 

[ripcord]

https://www.bannermancc.com/

Know anything about Bannerman?

No, but they list a velocity that matches the velocity of the original MKII load. Seems like a decent option.

 

[fozzdesy2001]

Anyone know of a reliable and reasonably priced source of supply for .455 Webley?

I like the low-flash feature of the Buffalo Bore but it is little more powerful that what I'd prefer in a 1915 firearm.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=594

I'm reading some scare stories about the .455 from Fiocci.

That pretty much leaves Steinel from what I've seen.

Anything else?

Any way you can use .45 ACP and moon clips like for the S&W M1917 revolvers? It would be sweet if you could

 

[ripcord]

Even if it would physically work, which it won't, .45 ACP is loaded to higher pressures than the Webley revolvers are allowed to use. They have a limit of 13,000 psi.

 

[nwjones18]

Brass should last a bunch of times, and it's easy to retain and keep clean with revolver brass. Reloading equipment will be the main initial investment.

You can get a lee single stage kit for fair money, and it will last a lifetime.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...3-dWq90dwHmttAm--g1jM2GFxU-tGVwjeE&pid=121744

 

[burbguy82]

In your case, reloading is the best option.

 

[fozzdesy2001]

Why I asked

Many surplus .455 Webley revolvers (especially Mark VI models) were historically "shaved" on the rear of their cylinders by importers to accept rimless . 45 ACP rounds held in standard or modified moon clips because original .455 ammo became obsolete. Standard .45 ACP pressures are dangerously high for vintage Webleys, requiring specialized low-pressure or .455-equivalent ammunition

• High Pressure: Standard modern .45 ACP operates at roughly 19,000 PSI, whereas original .455 Webley loads max out around 13,000 PSI.

• Structural Failure: Shooting standard .45 ACP through a shaved antique top-break frame risks damaging or catastrophically destroying the revolver.

• Specialized Loads: To shoot safely using moon clips, owners must use handloaded reduced-pressure .45 ACP rounds or specialized commercial low-pressure loads. Getting low-pressure ACP rounds should be easier. Guns that require special ammo should mostly not be shot unless the owner can get the weapon inspected and is willing to buy the correct ammo regardless of cost

455 Webley 260gr Mk I Hollow Base Round Nose

455 Webley SHAVED CYLINDER 45 ACP Low Pressure 230gr RN

 

[wings&wheels]

Another source for .455 in a bit less spicy load: .455 Webley LRN

I have a Mk IV in .38 and get my ammunition from these folks as well as some of my other odd calibers. They are frequently out of stock, but not many alternatives.