u/Vintage_Pieces_20

Okay, SO, this has been posted before, on my old account. Unfortunately, offering advice for which gunsmith to visit actually violates reddit’s rules, as it considers this a firearms transaction, and my old account got banned. So I’m back to re-upload my Webley data, as it was a post chronicling new data for Webley revolvers as all the old stuff is obsolete, and I didn’t want the info to get lost since the account was banned. Everything below will be identical to how it was presented in the last post. Cheers.

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UPDATED: July 9th 2025
UPDATED: July 29th 2025
UPDATED: Nov 10th 2025
UPDATED: Dec 20th 2025
UPDATED: Apr 5th 2026

The firearm used originally was a Webley MK1 model (one of the earliest top break Webley models), meaning all load data used below will be safe for a Webley MK6. Since then, l've also acquired a .45 converted MAS 1873, of which all the original loads seem to work safely as well. As with all loading for vintage firearms, do at your own risk.

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Firearms used:
- Webley MK1, navy issue, nitro proof stamped, 4" barrel.
- MAS 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne, 4.5" barrel.

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LOAD 1
July 9th 2025
Powder: win 231
Grains: 3.2
Bullet: 230 lead round nose bevel base (cast)
Bullet diameter: .452
Brass: Starline 45ACP
OAL: 1.26 (average)
Velocity: estimate ~ 500FPS (will update when chronographed)
PSI: 5000 estimate (safe for all nitro proofed
Webley's)

For those that are worried about Webley ruptures, I highly recommend starting with this ultra downloaded load, as as soon as you shoot it once, you'll feel how underpowered it is (which is a good thing for maintaining these old guns). In fact, the velocity was so slow, I could actually see the bullets traveling down range. The incomplete burn however of 231 at this low of a charge led to inconsistent ignition, and lots of fouling, to the point where I recommend cleaning after range use.

Pros: very safe for all makes of Webley's with nitro proof marks. Recoil very low, comparable to .32ACP.

Cons: Very inaccurate. Squib loads very possible.
Extremely dirty using win231. Inconsistent ignition.

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LOAD 2
July 9th 2025
Powder: win 231
Grains: 3.4
Bullet: 230 lead round nose bevel base (cast)
Bullet diameter 452
Brass: Starline 45ACP
OAL: 1.26 (average)
Velocity: estimate ~ 550 FPS (will update when chronographed)
PSI: 5500 estimate (safe for all nitro proofed Webley's)

By upping the load by 0.2 grains, ignition became much more consistent, and much easier to tell if you actually shot it, or if you squib loaded (3.2 grains is low enough to sometimes feel like a squib, often leading to having to check to make sure for safety).
The load was still extremely safe for all models of nitro-proofed Webley's, and provided the same low recoil benefits from before. The caveat being the load is still extremely inaccurate and dirty.

Pros: still very safe as far as pressure or PSI. Much more definitive pop, making it easier to tell between a safe round and a squib load.

Cons: Accuracy still not the greatest. Still very dirty.

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LOAD 3
July 29th 2025
Powder: win 231
Grains: 3.5
Bullet: 230 lead round nose bevel base (cast)
Bullet diameter: .452
Brass: Starline 45ACP
OAL: 1.26 (average)
Velocity: estimate 550+/-FPS (will update when chronographed)
PSI: 6000 estimate

This load in 45 ACP performed much more decently.
Weirdly enough the exact same load in 45 AutoRim which I will update down below, for some reason felt better. The gun is still in good condition, no loose parts, no rattle, and no real signs of over pressure, and therefore still safe. Funny how 0.2-0.3 grains more powder from the original load can make all the difference.

Pros: Much more accurate (for a 131+ year old revolver). EDITORS NOTE NOV 10 2025: this is in fact a safe load, as confirmed with Gordon's Reloading tool.

Cons: Dirty load with win231.

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LOAD 4
July 29th 2025
Powder: win 231
Grains: 3.5
Bullet: 230 lead round nose bevel base (cast)
Bullet diameter: .452
Brass: Starline 45 AUTO RIM
OAL: 1.26 (average)
Velocity: estimate 550FPS (will update when chronographed)
PSI: 6000 estimate

The same load above translated from 45 ACP to 45
AUTO RIM also showed no signs of pressure or damage. Ran flawlessly and was generally more accurate than the .45ACP version for whatever reason (all things considered). I did run into one squib (detailed in a different post of mine), but I believe that to have been due to forgetting to load any powder. Going forward, at least for win231 powder in 45 Auto Rim, this will probably be my go-to reload.

Pros: Safe PSI range, confirmed with Gordon's Reloading tool. Much more accurate than the previous loads I made.

Cons: Squib load still possible, as it happened to me with this load (albeit, possibly due to a lack of powder).

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LOAD 5
Nov 10th 2025
Powder: win 231
Grains: 3.5-3.6
Bullet: 230 lead round nose bevel base (cast)
Bullet diameter: .452
Brass: Starline 45 ACP
OAL: 1.26 (average)
Velocity: estimate 600FPS (will update when chronographed)
PSI: 6500 estimate

Starting now to work up to a more efficient load,
3.5-3.6 seems to be a semi-sweet spot. Still dirty as hell, but at 15 yards, a 1.5" grouping with a 131 year old handgun ain't too shabby. Past 15 yards, it starts to drop off, and you have to aim pretty high (like the other loads) if you're looking to hit distance.

Pros: Safe PSI range. Much more accurate than the previous loads I made.

Cons: Still pretty dirty with win 231.

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LOAD 6
Dec 20th 2025
Powder: win 231
Grains: 3.5-3.6
Bullet: RCBS 201 grain LSWC
Bullet diameter: .451
Brass: Range pickup 45 ACP
OAL: 1.22-1.24 (average)
Velocity: estimate 550-600FPS (will update when chronographed)
PSI: 5500 estimate

So... this is where I made my first mistake. Make no mistake, this load is safe. PSI range is quite low, and the accuracy isn't too shabby. The problem was two fold: A) I used auction won lead bullets, which isn't necessarily bad as it was sealed. But it was so old, the lube had congealed to this very sticky goo. B)
My press was seating the LSWC rounds crooked and I hadn't noticed. Having shot a cylinder of crooked, gooey rounds, it ended up breaking my Webley's extractor, and the goo fouling made the gun impossible to close. I've since fixed the extractor and the gun shuts and locks up just fine, and fires like it used to. The good news is, in the upcoming load below, I managed to repurpose those LSWC bullets and now they're great. Moral is, use really good 200-201g LSWC that seat properly, and this load is great.

Pros: safe PSI range and decent accuracy (don't have to hold it as high).

Cons: Still pretty dirty with win 231. IF SEATED CROOKED, may damage firearm

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LOAD 7
Apr 5th 2026
Powder: win 231
Grains: 3.5
Bullet: RCBS 201 grain LSWC home-powder coated
Bullet diameter: .452
Brass: Range pickup 45 ACP
OAL: 1.22 (average)
Velocity: estimate 550-600FPS (will update when chronographed)
PSI: 5500 estimate

Good news. Instead of sitting on an exorbitant amount of of gooey, gross, and possibly dangerously lube congealed bullets, I ended up bathing all of them in Xylene for anywhere from an hour to overnight to wash off the lube (which was child's play. All the lube came off no problems). And then I tried a new thing for me: home-job powder coating using Eastwood powders. Wow did those bullets ever shoot good after that (and after I got them seating properly). Low PSI with faster bullets and slightly better accuracy? This load is now a go-to of mine.

Pros: much more accurate. Low PSI with higher velocity. Home powder coating worked great to bump up the diameter from .451-452, and reduce lead fowling.

Cons: must ensure the bullets are seated properly so as to not cause damage to the firearm. Dirty with win231.