Safe ammo for a Webley .45 acp revolver

Chris from Minnesota · 01-07-2011, 06:12 PM

I was just over at my local FFL and he had a Webley converted to .45 acp. I told him to hold it until a rifle that I had won on GB comes in and I'd have the money for the revolver. I've always wanted one as a shooter and being cambered for .45 acp ammo would be easy to find, that's what I thought.

After doing a little research I found that the operating pressure for the Mark VI Webley is around 12500 psi and the .45 acp is around 19000 psi. So basically firing the .45 acp in this revolver, is like fire proof loads through it. Since I reload and wanted this for a shooter not a big problem, except that all my reloading equipment is in storage because I travel around the country for work and can be stuck in one spot for six month to a year.

Being that I would like to shoot it ASAP, my question is does anyone know of anyone producing .45 acp or .45 auto rim ammo that would safe to fire out of a converted Webley?

Karl · 01-07-2011, 06:23 PM

Chris,
I think the short answer is no. I shoot a Webley Mk. VI converted to .45 and handload. It was a lack of suitable ammo for the gun that got me started reloading. I use .45 Auto Rim cases sized with .455 Webley dies and .454 or .455 bullets, still experimenting. A fun gun to shoot and accurate. Best of luck. KFS

DavidJayUden · 01-07-2011, 06:23 PM

I have one and shoot 200 gr. cast SWC reloads, maybe 6.1 gr, Unique?. They are not too fast and work very well. I'd not worry too much about it but no hot-rod loads, target loads if you can cook some up. Does your local shooting range sell ammo? Certainly they have something a bit more sedate than 230 gr. ball.
Be sure to order in some half-moon stripper clips. Maybe the unloading tool too as the spent cases are a booger to get off the clips. Some shooters file the clip a bit to loosen them up.
Have fun.
dju

jonnyc · 01-07-2011, 07:43 PM

I load .45 ACP and .45 Auto-Rim for both my S&W 1917 and Webley MkVI. Both are very accurate with my civilized load of 4.4 grains of Bullseye and 200 grain LSWC bullets. I use plastic Rim-Z moon clips with both when firing the ACP, saves a lot of wear and tear on your fingers and the brass. Since the design of the Webley cylinder swages the bullets down to about .452 before they hit the forcing cone, there is no real need for hollow base or .455 bullets. I have been amazed at the accuracy I'm getting with the standard .452 bullets.
After re-reading your original post, I would suggest looking for some old stock .45 Auto-Rim ammo, as it should be fairly lightly loaded with lead bullets. I would avoid any FMJ.

Chris from Minnesota · 01-11-2011, 12:13 PM

Thanks for the replies guys, it's appreciated. Looks like I've made a little more work for myself than I thought it was going to be, so be it. I've always wanted one after watching the movie Millers Crossing, I also have a Astra 600 because of that movie.

I wont have the pistol in my hands until Wednesday, but I now have a fair amount of loads to to test fire. I had just recently consolidated and cleaned some things out of my storage facility and knew where my reloading equipment was. I had over a 1000 sized, de-primed and cleaned .45acp brass, along with three different powders to work with. I pick up some lead bullets in 200gr and 250gr, I will post a new thread in the reloading section with the results of those loads.

Thanks,
Chris

01-07-2011, 06:12 PM	#1
Chris from Minnesota User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 58 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Safe ammo for a Webley .45 acp revolver I was just over at my local FFL and he had a Webley converted to .45 acp. I told him to hold it until a rifle that I had won on GB comes in and I'd have the money for the revolver. I've always wanted one as a shooter and being cambered for .45 acp ammo would be easy to find, that's what I thought. After doing a little research I found that the operating pressure for the Mark VI Webley is around 12500 psi and the .45 acp is around 19000 psi. So basically firing the .45 acp in this revolver, is like fire proof loads through it. Since I reload and wanted this for a shooter not a big problem, except that all my reloading equipment is in storage because I travel around the country for work and can be stuck in one spot for six month to a year. Being that I would like to shoot it ASAP, my question is does anyone know of anyone producing .45 acp or .45 auto rim ammo that would safe to fire out of a converted Webley?

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01-07-2011, 06:23 PM	#2
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 530 Thanks: 0 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	Chris, I think the short answer is no. I shoot a Webley Mk. VI converted to .45 and handload. It was a lack of suitable ammo for the gun that got me started reloading. I use .45 Auto Rim cases sized with .455 Webley dies and .454 or .455 bullets, still experimenting. A fun gun to shoot and accurate. Best of luck. KFS

01-07-2011, 06:23 PM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I have one and shoot 200 gr. cast SWC reloads, maybe 6.1 gr, Unique?. They are not too fast and work very well. I'd not worry too much about it but no hot-rod loads, target loads if you can cook some up. Does your local shooting range sell ammo? Certainly they have something a bit more sedate than 230 gr. ball. Be sure to order in some half-moon stripper clips. Maybe the unloading tool too as the spent cases are a booger to get off the clips. Some shooters file the clip a bit to loosen them up. Have fun. dju

01-07-2011, 07:43 PM	#4
jonnyc User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 425 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 34 Posts	I load .45 ACP and .45 Auto-Rim for both my S&W 1917 and Webley MkVI. Both are very accurate with my civilized load of 4.4 grains of Bullseye and 200 grain LSWC bullets. I use plastic Rim-Z moon clips with both when firing the ACP, saves a lot of wear and tear on your fingers and the brass. Since the design of the Webley cylinder swages the bullets down to about .452 before they hit the forcing cone, there is no real need for hollow base or .455 bullets. I have been amazed at the accuracy I'm getting with the standard .452 bullets. After re-reading your original post, I would suggest looking for some old stock .45 Auto-Rim ammo, as it should be fairly lightly loaded with lead bullets. I would avoid any FMJ.

01-11-2011, 12:13 PM	#5
Chris from Minnesota User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 58 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks for the replies guys, it's appreciated. Looks like I've made a little more work for myself than I thought it was going to be, so be it. I've always wanted one after watching the movie Millers Crossing, I also have a Astra 600 because of that movie. I wont have the pistol in my hands until Wednesday, but I now have a fair amount of loads to to test fire. I had just recently consolidated and cleaned some things out of my storage facility and knew where my reloading equipment was. I had over a 1000 sized, de-primed and cleaned .45acp brass, along with three different powders to work with. I pick up some lead bullets in 200gr and 250gr, I will post a new thread in the reloading section with the results of those loads. Thanks, Chris