Question about webley ammo?

[mesinge2]

I am about to purchase a webley mark VI and I don't have the reloading equipment yet.
Midway has ammo for sale but it is labeled .455 Webley Mark II. Is this the appropriate ammo for this gun?
This is the midway ammo: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=167595


BTW, this one is not converted to 45 ACP. Just for curiousity's sake, wouldn't a 45 ACP conversion be unsafe?

Isn't the 45 ACP a higher pressure round than the .455?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Yes. It will work.

The key to the Webley is to understand it has a thinner rim than the .45 Colt (and also a shorter case.) There are several cartridges (including the .455 Colt) that will work just fine in Weblies. In a pinch, you can chuck .45 Colts in a drill press or lathe and thin the rims (from the front, naturally) and trim to length.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Of course, all of the above presumes that your Webley is in the original configuration and caliber. A high percentage of those imported to the US were converted for use with .45ACP on moon clips.

 

[mesinge2]

Thanks, guys.

It hasn't been converted though. I inspected it myself

 

[.455_Hunter]

I use that ammo in my unconverted 1917 MK VI with no problems. Please note that the velocity listed on Midway's website is about right (655 fps- probably out of a 6" test barrel, a bit less out of a real Webley) but the indicated 420 ft-lbs energy is nonsense. A 262 gr bullet at 655 fps generates roughly 250 fpe, NOT 420 fpe. I also plan on trying Hornady's recently introduced 265 gr load as well.

 

[mesinge2]

I wouldn't think that a 45 ACP conversion would be safe, isn't the 45 ACP a higher pressure round than the .455?

 

[.455_Hunter]

It is generally recommended to shoot the .45 ACP Webley conversions with mild loads that mimic .455 performance. This is especially important with conversions of the earlier Mk's, where the duty load was charged with black powder. Of course, some folks will swear that their Mk VI has handled 1000's of rounds of .45 ACP hardball with no issues...

 

[mesinge2]

It is generally recommended to shoot the .45 ACP Webley conversions with mild loads that mimic .455 performance

Is there any factor load that you know of that mimics the performance of a .455, or does it have to be reloaded to match this performance level?

I ask because I am just crazy enough to convert it to 45 ACP and carry this for SD once and a while, and I don't want to carry reloads.

 

[woad_yurt]

How about getting one that's already converted, which wouldn't be difficult, and then selling or leaving yours as is? They don't grow on trees....

 

[natman]

Is there any factor load that you know of that mimics the performance of a .455, or does it have to be reloaded to match this performance level?

I ask because I am just crazy enough to convert it to 45 ACP and carry this for SD once and a while, and I don't want to carry reloads.

Don't convert it. It was one thing back in the 50's when there wasn't any 455 ammo available in the US, but it's pretty senseless now. There are lots of them readily available that have already been converted for hundreds of $ less than original ones.

I wouldn't shoot a converted one with full power 45 ACP jacketed ammo in any case.

 

[mesinge2]

Well this one has been refinished and I am getting it for $200 and a conversion cost $80 from pinnacle custom so the cost would still be under $300, give or take shipping.

 

[natman]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=39744

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