Blackpowder loads for .455 Webley

[Mike_In_BC]

I'm not sure if this goes in bp or reloading, but here goes. I'm trying to figure out a bp load for a webley revolver I just got. I wand to shoot it at a big bp shoot up here in BC, one of the events is bp cartridge pistol. From what I understand the original webleys shot a bp load of about 15 grains with the big scud shaped slug. The webley I just got is a "mk vi" and I have some new fiocchi .455 mk ii ammo. I though I heard that the bp .455 loads were in a slightly longer case, and the case was shortened a bit to eliminate some air-space when the smokeless rounds were developed.

Can I reload the mk ii, cases with bp and have them work? Can I use goex 3f?, I have some cast bullets 265gr, but could I use 230gr cast bullets for .45 acp? I have tons of the .45 acp and they are half as much money as the .455, they are a bit smaller, like .453 or .452 instead of .455.

Oh, and does anyone know where I can get a mold to make .455 slugs (scuds) or even better a mold for the infamous manstopper mk iii hollowpoints.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Mike_In_BC]

Oh, and in case anyone is wondering, the commercial .455 mk ii made by fiocchi, is 262gr lrn, and is about $60 canadian for a box of 50.

 

[Jim Watson]

The good news is that RCBS makes a 265 gr hollowbase Webley mould. The bad news is that it is a special order and rather expensive.
http://www.huntingtons.com/bulletmoulds.html
A little over halfway down the page, item no. 57947

There was a British maker of moulds for the Manstopper, but I cannot find any current mention of him, now that a free Englishman may no longer own a pistol.

You need black powder bullet lube for black powder cartridges, SPG is good.

The Pigeonroost Slim .45 Colt blackpowder bullet might do as well.
http://www.whyteleatherworks.com/Accessory page.htm
Big groove for a lot of lube and reasonably priced, if not the right nose shape.

I would think 3F would be ok in the small capacity of the .455.

Or you could round up a good fake like American Pioneer Powder or Hodgdon 777 and use ordinary bullets.

 

[Mike_In_BC]

Why would using a substitute allow me to use ordinary bullets? I did plan to lube whatever bullets I do use, same as I have to for 45/70.

The only sub, I see very much is pyrodex, it is much easier and cheaper for me to use bp.

I will have to check out those moulds, thanks for the help. Is there another type of brass I can use? Like maybe .45 auto rim?