Enfield Pistols - looking for a load for two of my revolvers ,

Print Page | Close Window

looking for a load for two of my revolvers ,

Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Enfield Pistols
Forum Description: Another great Enfield!
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13776
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 3:39pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: looking for a load for two of my revolvers ,

Posted By: A square 10
Subject: looking for a load for two of my revolvers ,
Date Posted: January 21 2025 at 10:40pm

i still have one of my 455s - the no1 mkV , i want to load soft loads for it but not so soft that i have issues , im thinking to load my cowboy loads in them , i know a load of 650 is about what it was designed for , the mkIV-V is the transitional from BP to smokeless and i want to shoot smokeless as i dont want the BP cleaning mess , i believe the mkV is perfectly capable of handling the smokeless , i think i know where im going but would like to know im on track ,

loading 200 grain 454s ,

i also have a couple no2 pistols im going to load smokeless 38 s&w for id like a confirmation on that as well , a webley mkIV and enfield mkI* as well as my albion mkI**

im loading 158 grain and again want to be at 650fps ,

i like red dot and clays for powder its what i have , i hand load on single stage , and hand prime with CCI large and small primers , ive had a lot of input from the cowboy site for their loads but id like a commonwealth point of view on this ,

im oly plinkingwith them but im interested in others points of view , i do this for fun , half the fun is this research and getting your input

also any input on OAL etc is invited

Replies:

Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: January 22 2025 at 4:01am

Mike,

I’ve loaded both the .455 Webley Mk I and Mk II cartridges. The Mk I case is 0.885 inches long and Mk II is 0.760 inches long. The loads are different for the same chamber pressure.

I think the standard load was 265 grain hollow base bullet at 650 fps. But I need to confirm that.

With the Mk I long case, my load was 4.8 gr Unique with a Rainier 230 grain copper plated RN bullet.

With the Mk II short case, 4.0 gr Unique with Rainier 230 grain copper plated RN bullet.

These are .451 diameter .45 cal pistol bullets.

I had chrono’ed the data in my No. 1 Mk VI revolver but I don’t trust it, lighting conditions were not good. I had planned to do more testing but never got to it. At 15 yards, it shot about 1 to 1.5 inch groups. I think these are fairly light loads.

Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: January 22 2025 at 2:42pm

thanks geoff , i think i can work with that ,

Posted By: bubba ho tep
Date Posted: April 04 2025 at 10:04am

I have been using Trail boss - now a hodgdon brand ( was IMR ) In my 455 webley reloads with great success. I have been using a Lee dipper as trail boss is best used by volume. Use it in 45 Long colt , 45/70 and 50/70 with just great results.

Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: July 29 2025 at 5:34pm

ive decided to use my cowboy powders and load to their standards , im not looking for accuracy i just want to be able to plink with them a bit ,