.455 Webley Loading Experience

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  • Last Post 23 February 2015
Chicken Men posted this 21 February 2015

Hello, New to the forum, but not to casting.  Like shooting the Webley .455 and up until now I have only loaded the Hornaday 265 lead or my own cast 265 using the RCBS mould.  I found an old Lyman 457196 some time back and have cast a set of 50 pcs. today.  Sized to .455” and lubed they weigh 332 grains.  The data I have found on this pattern says it should be 290 grains.  Maybe the base core is different than original.  Anyway, has anyone loaded a bullet of this weight in a .455 Webley? I have a few Smith's, Colt's, & Webleys that I shoot, all in .455. Thanks in advance. Bruce

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RicinYakima posted this 21 February 2015

While I load and shoot the .455, nothing over 305 grains as that is what my #457196 casts from 30/1. It was made in the 1970's and casts at the 290 from Lyman #2 alloy. Combustion volume is so small even in the black powder .88” cases that I ended up using a chronograph to do the load work-up. I settled on 4.5 grains of WW231 for the 265 @ 700 f/s and 3.7 grains of WW231 with the 305 grain @ 625 f/s. I consider these maximum everyday loads.

Hope that is some help. Ric

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Chicken Men posted this 21 February 2015

Thanks Ric, I'll give this a data look.  Below is the actual mould with the core plug and a completed bullet.  I have a copy of "Complete Guide To Handloading” by Philip Sharpe.  It had some load data for the Webley with this bullet, but the powders are Dupont #5 and #6.  These are long obsolete.   All the best.   Bruce

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RicinYakima posted this 21 February 2015

The plug for forming the HB on mine is about twice that long and tapers to a rounded point under the top lube groove.

Lyman/Ideal handbook #39 lists loads for only Colt and S&W revolvers with the long .884” case and the 290 HB bullet. 3.0 grains of Bullseye @ 625 f/s and 5.0 grains of Unique @ 700 f/s.

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Chicken Men posted this 21 February 2015

The plug diff explains the weight variation I have.  Thanks for the info.  Got this mould off gun broker a few years ago and it was not complete.  I cast other patterns for the .45 revolver all the way up to ~400 grains.  This is going to be interesting.   Thanks Bruce

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Chicken Men posted this 23 February 2015

It has been cold here in Texas so I had some time to work on this yesterday.  Here is the test revolver and the loaded cartridges with projectiles for comparison.  Projectiles weigh 330 grains.  Using Fiocchi brass.  Hope I can test the load this week. Bruce

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