Questions on feeding a Webley MK VI

[Chinook]

Hi,

Anyone out there have knowledge of Webley revolvers?   I just acquired a Mk VI in high condition.  The top latch is very tight, function is clean and smooth and the bore is bright and shiny.  However, there is a lot of rotational play in the cylinder.  Is this normal?  I would like to shoot the bloody thing, but don't want to be spraying other folks on the firing range with bits of lead every time the hammer falls. 

Also, I'd read the throats on these revolvers (in original .455 caliber) were typically .456 or .457.  Mine appears to be closer to .450.  I haven't slugged the bore yet, but clearly this specimen is not going to shoot well if the throats are markedly tighter than the bore.  If anyone has cast bullets for this revolver, I'd like to hear his thoughts.

Thanks,
Chinook

[Veral]

  A revolver is a revolver, no matter the name.

  The Webleys were pretty well all made to loose tolerances, but when bullets are fitted properly they will shoot great.
   Get a pack of push through slugs from LBT, and you'll need to request 45 rifle caliber if you aren't certain that your cylinders and barrel are under about 456 which is maximum diameter for our 45 pistol push through slugs.
   These slugs will give you EXACT dimensions and the instructions will tell you precisely how to set the gun up, or if you are confused at all, just send me the slugs with a mould order and I'll measure them, tell you exactly what you need to do to the gun, and cut a mould that WILL shoot better than you can probably hold! 

  A WFN bullet will shoot great through the loose cylinder gun.  They somehow take the battering and go to the middle of the target.  Or you might find a smith that will tighten up the slop for a reasonable fee, which will help accuracy considerable, but may not be worth it either as you probably won't be hunting at long range with the gun!

[BJ]

Try the cylinder play while holding the trigger all the way to the rear (as in after firing).  On the Webley MK VI I had the cylinder was very loose at rest, but locked very tight at firing.  I was told this was a design feature.

[Veral]

  Having never played with a Webley since I got educated about guns, I suspect one would do well to be sure the cylinder lock does indeed  drop into every notch smoothly, testing as outlined above.

[dromia]

The Webley uses a hollow based bullet as the cylinder is a smaller diameter than the forcing cone groove diameters so the hollow base sets up into it. Flat base hard bullets do not tend to work too well in original Webley chambers.

In saying that it is not too uncommon to find Webleys with the chambers enlarged to take flat based bullets that will fit the forcing cone/groove diameter. Using the usual hollow based bullets in these chambers leads to lead spitting from the forcing cone.

Check chamber/groove/forcing cone sizes first to determine type of bullet required.

[Veral]

  Thank you for this information.
  Since hollow base are needed I'll answer the next question before it is asked. 
  I don't make hollow based moulds and can't recommend any mould maker that does, though there may be some who do.  I just don't know them.

[Chinook]

Hi Folks,

Here's what I've learned over the past 18 months, in case anyone else is interested in shooting Webleys.  Proper, hollow-base dies are made by NEI.  Using these, I cast bullets of approximately 280gr. using 20:1 alloy and sized .451 for the Webley Mk VI's tight throats.  Hornady makes wonderful MkII cases.  Using a charge of 3.2gr. of Bullseye, I can (and have!) put 6 shots into one ragged hole at 10yds.  The trigger on my gun is pretty bad - must be about 8lbs or so - but despite this, the Webley is astonishingly accurate.  Recoil is negligible in the heavy revolver.  I have fired the same load in a S&W 2nd model .455, although bullets have to be sized .457 to match the Smith's throats.  This revolver, while being in excellent condition and having a typical, fine S&W trigger, is not so accurate as the Webley.  Additionally, the recoil is noticeable in the S&W, albeit very modest. 

Regards,
Chinook

[Veral]

  I make quite a few molds for these guns.

  Most of the samples I've seen have a lot of rotational play in the cylinders, but if the bullet doesn't get outside the forcing cone of the barrel you should have no trouble with lead spraying if you keep the loads mild enough that the bullet bases don't obturate excessively.  Since light loads are probably wise anyhow with these old guns, I don't think you'll be unhappy with results.

  You are correct in believeing accuracy won't be good if cylinder throats are smaller than groove diameter of the barrel.  Most Webleys have the large cylinder throat problem which you speak about, and for those I cut bullets to fit whatever size it is.  For your under size cylinder throats, I recommend that you open them up to just over groove diameter and fit bullets to them.  If you are concerned about hurting collector value, get a mold that suits the undersize throats and use loads fillered with plastic granulated shot buffer, which will prevent any blowby from stripping lube from your bullets and causing leading.  Accuracy will be good if the loads are worked up to suit, as the bullets will ride the lands quite accurately.  I DID NOT say accuracy would be superb!  Just good, or perhaps better stated, maybe average for Webleys.

[rammelclock]

Gentlemen,
For general information on the .455 cartridge and ammunition Google - International Ammunition Association - and go to "Intro .455".
Certainly the .455 is a soft lead bullet with a hollow base but I have known many to shoot well with ordinary flat based bullets, but you would probably be wise to keep them fairly soft. This is a fairly slow bullet. Since all pistols were banned in England, Wales and Scotland in 1997 it is some time since I handled one. I now go to Switzerland to shoot when I can afford it!
If the gun is crisp it would suggest it is not hard used and I would therefore try soft plain based bullets before tinkering with the cylinder. These were very well made pistols.
I have managed to keep a Fosbery here under legislation that permits collectors firearms dated prior to 1918 but cannot of course shoot it. There is a bit of rock in the cylinder and some endfloat but frankly no more than with an S & W.